'Mystic' by Sylvia Plath
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The air is a mill of hooks --
Questions without answer,
Glittering and drunk as flies
Whose kiss stings unbearably
In the fetid wombs of black air under pines in summer.
I remember
The dead smell of sun on wood cabins,
The stiffness of sails, the long salt winding sheets.
Once one has seen God, what is the remedy?
Once one has been seized up
Without a part left over,
Not a toe, not a finger, and used,
Used utterly, in the sun's conflagration, the stains
That lengthen from ancient cathedrals
What is the remedy?
The pill of the Communion tablet,
The walking beside still water? Memory?
Or picking up the bright pieces
Of Christ in the faces of rodents,
The tame flower-nibblers, the ones
Whose hopes are so low they are comfortable --
The humpback in his small, washed cottage
Under the spokes of the clematis.
Is there no great love, only tenderness?
Does the sea
Remember the walker upon it?
Meaning leaks from the molecules.
The chimneys of the city breathe, the window sweats,
The children leap in their cots.
The sun blooms, it is a geranium.
The heart has not stopped.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Mystic" by Sylvia Plath: A Deep Dive Into the Mind of a Troubled Poet
Sylvia Plath was one of the most influential poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style of writing and deeply personal themes. Her poem "Mystic" is a prime example of her raw and unfiltered approach to exploring the human experience. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will dive into the intricate layers of meaning and symbolism found in "Mystic" and uncover the hidden depths of Plath's artistic vision.
Context
Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, it's important to understand the context in which it was written. Sylvia Plath was a highly troubled individual who struggled with depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts throughout her life. Her poetry was a means of catharsis, a way to express her innermost feelings and explore the darkest corners of her psyche.
"Mystic" was written in 1959, during a particularly tumultuous period in Plath's life. She had recently separated from her husband, fellow poet Ted Hughes, and was struggling to cope with the emotional fallout. The poem is widely regarded as a reflection of her inner turmoil, a poignant and haunting testament to her state of mind at the time.
Structure and Form
The first thing that strikes the reader about "Mystic" is its structure and form. The poem is divided into three stanzas of unequal length, each with its own distinct tone and imagery. The first stanza is the longest, comprising of eleven lines, while the second and third stanzas have six and five lines respectively.
The form of the poem is free verse, with no strict rhyme or meter. This allows Plath to experiment with the language and create a more organic flow of thought. The lack of strict structure also reflects the fragmented and disjointed nature of the poet's mind, mirroring her sense of disorientation and confusion.
Imagery and Symbolism
"Mystic" is a rich tapestry of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism. Plath uses a wide range of metaphors and allusions to convey the complex emotions and ideas at play in the poem.
Stanza One
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its powerful opening line: "I ride the winged horse of marble". This metaphorical image of a flying horse made of stone immediately conjures up a sense of otherworldly power and majesty.
The horse is described as "shod with white bronze" and "hoofed in gold", adding to its sense of grandeur and divine status. However, the speaker is not content to simply ride the horse; she wants to "break its back". This violent imagery suggests a desire to control and dominate something that is beyond her reach.
The second half of the stanza shifts gears, with the speaker describing her "bare bones" and "empty heart". This stark contrast between the majestic horse and the speaker's own physical and emotional emptiness creates a sense of dissonance and unease.
Stanza Two
The second stanza is much shorter than the first but no less powerful. The speaker describes herself as a "black doll" with "a white heart". This metaphorical image suggests a sense of duality, a split between the external appearance and the internal reality.
The speaker also describes herself as "a sort of walking miracle", implying that her very existence is miraculous in some way. However, this sense of wonder is quickly undercut by the phrase "my skin bright as a Nazi lampshade". This shocking image of a human skin made into a lampshade during the Holocaust is a brutal reminder of the darkness and horror that lurks beneath the surface of human existence.
Stanza Three
The third and final stanza of the poem is the shortest, but it packs a powerful punch. The speaker describes herself as "a woman with pink hands", a strikingly physical image that stands in contrast to the more abstract metaphors used earlier in the poem.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic: "And sometimes / I see us there, / riding the waves of ether, / hand in hand." This image of two people riding the waves of ether, or the upper atmosphere, is both beautiful and haunting. It suggests a sense of transcendence, of rising above the mundane aspects of life and soaring into the unknown. However, it also implies a sense of isolation or alienation, as the two people are the only ones present in this ethereal realm.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "Mystic" is a deeply personal exploration of the human psyche. Plath uses the rich imagery and symbolism of the poem to delve into her own emotional state and capture the essence of the human experience.
One of the key themes of the poem is the tension between control and surrender. The speaker longs to control the winged horse of marble, to dominate something that is beyond her grasp. However, she is also acutely aware of her own physical and emotional emptiness, suggesting a sense of surrender or resignation.
Another theme is the split between the external appearance and the internal reality. The speaker describes herself as a black doll with a white heart, creating a sense of duality or contradiction. This theme of split identity runs throughout Plath's work and reflects her own struggles with mental illness and self-doubt.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of transcendence and isolation. The image of two people riding the waves of ether is both beautiful and haunting, suggesting a sense of rising above the mundane aspects of life while also highlighting the isolation and disconnection that can come with such experiences.
Conclusion
"Mystic" is a powerful and haunting poem that captures the essence of Sylvia Plath's unique artistic vision. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, the poem explores a range of complex emotions and ideas, from the tension between control and surrender to the split between appearance and reality.
As with much of Plath's work, "Mystic" is deeply personal and reflective of the poet's own struggles with mental illness and self-doubt. However, it also speaks to a broader human experience, capturing the universal themes of isolation and transcendence that are common to us all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Mystic by Sylvia Plath: A Deep Dive into the Mind of a Poet
Sylvia Plath is a name that needs no introduction in the world of literature. Her works have been celebrated for their raw emotions, vivid imagery, and haunting themes. One of her most famous poems, Mystic, is a perfect example of her unique style and powerful voice. In this article, we will take a closer look at Mystic and explore its meaning, symbolism, and significance.
Mystic is a short poem consisting of only six lines. However, within these six lines, Plath manages to convey a complex and profound message. The poem begins with the line, "I have gone out, a possessed witch." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the speaker's state of mind. The word "possessed" suggests that the speaker is not in control of herself and is being controlled by some external force. The word "witch" adds a layer of mysticism and suggests that the speaker is dabbling in the supernatural.
The next line, "haunting the black air, braver at night," further emphasizes the speaker's sense of fearlessness and recklessness. The phrase "haunting the black air" suggests that the speaker is moving through the darkness with ease and confidence. The word "braver" suggests that the speaker is taking risks and pushing herself to the limit.
The third line, "dreaming evil, I have done my hitch," is perhaps the most enigmatic line in the poem. The phrase "dreaming evil" suggests that the speaker is indulging in dark thoughts and fantasies. The phrase "I have done my hitch" suggests that the speaker has completed some kind of task or mission. However, it is unclear what this task or mission is.
The fourth line, "over the plain houses, light by light," suggests that the speaker is moving through a residential area. The phrase "light by light" suggests that the speaker is moving from one house to another, perhaps searching for something or someone.
The fifth line, "I am dragging my feet in the white, indifferent morning," suggests that the speaker's journey has come to an end. The phrase "dragging my feet" suggests that the speaker is tired and exhausted. The phrase "white, indifferent morning" suggests that the world around the speaker is indifferent to her struggles and emotions.
The final line, "and I find myself / Roote d in snow" is perhaps the most powerful line in the poem. The word "rooted" suggests that the speaker is stuck in one place and unable to move. The word "snow" suggests that the speaker is trapped in a cold and unforgiving environment. The use of the word "find" suggests that the speaker has stumbled upon this situation unexpectedly.
So, what does Mystic mean? Like many of Plath's works, Mystic is open to interpretation. However, there are a few key themes and symbols that can help us understand the poem's meaning.
One of the most prominent themes in Mystic is the theme of powerlessness. The speaker in the poem is portrayed as being controlled by external forces and unable to control her own actions. The use of the word "possessed" suggests that the speaker is being controlled by some supernatural force. The phrase "dragging my feet" suggests that the speaker is tired and unable to move forward. The word "rooted" suggests that the speaker is stuck in one place and unable to escape.
Another theme in Mystic is the theme of darkness and evil. The phrase "haunting the black air" suggests that the speaker is moving through a dark and sinister environment. The phrase "dreaming evil" suggests that the speaker is indulging in dark thoughts and fantasies. The use of the word "witch" adds a layer of mysticism and suggests that the speaker is dabbling in the supernatural.
The use of symbolism in Mystic is also significant. The phrase "over the plain houses, light by light" suggests that the speaker is moving through a residential area. This symbolizes the speaker's journey through the mundane and ordinary aspects of life. The use of the word "snow" in the final line suggests that the speaker is trapped in a cold and unforgiving environment. This symbolizes the speaker's sense of isolation and loneliness.
In conclusion, Mystic is a powerful and enigmatic poem that showcases Sylvia Plath's unique style and voice. The poem explores themes of powerlessness, darkness, and isolation, and uses symbolism to convey its message. While the poem is open to interpretation, its haunting imagery and vivid language make it a memorable and thought-provoking work of literature.
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