'Purdah' by Sylvia Plath

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Jade --
Stone of the side,
The antagonized

Side of green Adam, I
Smile, cross-legged,
Enigmatical,

Shifting my clarities.
So valuable!
How the sun polishes this shoulder!

And should
The moon, my
Indefatigable cousin

Rise, with her cancerous pallors,
Dragging trees --
Little bushy polyps,

Little nets,
My visibilities hide.
I gleam like a mirror.

At this facet the bridegroom arrives
Lord of the mirrors!
It is himself he guides

In among these silk
Screens, these rustling appurtenances.
I breathe, and the mouth

Veil stirs its curtain
My eye
Veil is

A concatenation of rainbows.
I am his.
Even in his

Absence, I
Revolve in my
Sheath of impossibles,

Priceless and quiet
Among these parrakeets, macaws!
O chatterers

Attendants of the eyelash!
I shall unloose
One feather, like the peacock.

Attendants of the lip!
I shall unloose
One note

Shattering
The chandelier
Of air that all day flies

Its crystals
A million ignorants.
Attendants!

Attendants!
And at his next step
I shall unloose

I shall unloose --
From the small jeweled
Doll he guards like a heart --

The lioness,
The shriek in the bath,
The cloak of holes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Purdah: A Literary Critique

Sylvia Plath is a poet who needs no introduction, and her poem 'Purdah' is one of her lesser-known works that deserves a closer look. The poem was written in the early 1960s, during a time when Plath was struggling with her personal life and creative energy. In this critique, we'll explore the themes, symbolism, and imagery in 'Purdah' to understand what Plath was trying to convey through this powerful piece of literature.

Background

Before we dive into the poem, it's essential to understand the context in which it was written. Plath was born in 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts, and was an accomplished poet, novelist, and short-story writer. She was known for her confessional style and her exploration of themes like death, mental illness, and the human condition. Her work often reflected her personal struggles, and many of her poems were written during periods of intense emotional turmoil.

'Purdah' was written in the early 1960s, during a particularly challenging time in Plath's life. She had just separated from her husband, the poet Ted Hughes, and was struggling to balance her writing with motherhood and mental health issues.

Themes

One of the central themes in 'Purdah' is the oppression of women in patriarchal societies. The poem is set in India, where Purdah is a traditional practice of secluding women from men and the outside world. Plath uses vivid imagery to depict the suffocating nature of Purdah and the loss of freedom that women experience when they are forced into this practice.

Another theme that emerges in 'Purdah' is the tension between tradition and modernity. Plath contrasts the ancient practice of Purdah with the modern world outside, where technology and progress are rapidly changing the landscape. The poem suggests that the old ways of life are becoming obsolete and that women, in particular, are struggling to adapt to this new reality.

Symbolism

Plath uses a range of powerful symbols in 'Purdah' to convey her message. One of the most significant symbols in the poem is the veil that women wear when they are in Purdah. The veil represents the physical and emotional barriers that women face under patriarchal societies. It also symbolizes the loss of identity and personality that women experience when they are forced to hide their faces from the world.

Another symbol in the poem is the bird that is trapped inside a cage. The bird represents women who are trapped by social norms and expectations. The bird's inability to fly away represents the loss of freedom that women experience under patriarchal societies.

Imagery

Plath's use of imagery in 'Purdah' is both vivid and powerful. She describes the women in Purdah as "ghostly" and "veiled," suggesting that they have become mere shadows of themselves under patriarchal societies. She also describes the women as "glimmering" and "shimmering," which creates an otherworldly aura around them.

Plath's use of color imagery is also notable. She describes the women's clothing as "white," which symbolizes purity and innocence. However, this innocence is tainted by the oppressive nature of Purdah, which turns women into objects to be hidden away from the world.

Interpretation

Overall, 'Purdah' is a powerful commentary on the oppression of women in patriarchal societies. Plath uses vivid imagery and powerful symbolism to convey the suffocating nature of Purdah and the loss of identity that women experience when they are forced into this practice. The poem suggests that the old ways of life are becoming obsolete and that women, in particular, are struggling to adapt to this new reality.

However, there is also a sense of hope in the poem. Plath suggests that the women in Purdah are not entirely defeated. She describes them as "glimmering" and "shimmering," which suggests that they still possess a glimmer of individuality and independence. This glimmer of hope is also reflected in the bird's desire to fly away, which suggests that women are not content to remain trapped in their cages forever.

Conclusion

In conclusion, 'Purdah' is a powerful poem that explores the themes of oppression, tradition, and modernity. Plath's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism creates a sense of suffocation and loss, but also a glimmer of hope. The poem is a testament to Plath's talent as a poet and her ability to evoke powerful emotions and ideas through her writing. It remains a relevant and thought-provoking piece of literature that deserves to be studied and appreciated by future generations.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Purdah: A Poem of Feminine Oppression and Liberation

Sylvia Plath’s Purdah is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of feminine oppression and liberation. The poem is a reflection of the poet’s own experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society, and it speaks to the struggles that women face in their quest for freedom and equality.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the theme of feminine oppression. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with its vivid imagery of a woman trapped in a world of darkness and confinement. The woman is described as being “sealed off from the light of day,” and her world is one of “shadows and whispers.”

This imagery is a powerful metaphor for the way in which women are often confined and restricted in patriarchal societies. Women are often forced to live in a world that is dominated by men, and they are denied the freedom to express themselves and to pursue their own dreams and ambitions. The darkness and confinement that the woman in the poem experiences is a reflection of the way in which women are often forced to live in the shadows, hidden away from the light of day.

The second stanza of the poem explores the theme of feminine liberation. The woman in the poem is described as breaking free from her confinement, and she is depicted as a “wild thing” that is finally able to run free. This imagery is a powerful symbol of the way in which women are able to break free from the constraints of patriarchal society and to assert their own independence and autonomy.

The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful of all. In this stanza, the woman is described as being “drunk with the freedom” that she has found. This imagery is a powerful symbol of the way in which women are able to find joy and fulfillment in their lives when they are finally able to break free from the constraints of patriarchal society.

Overall, Purdah is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the struggles that women face in their quest for freedom and equality. The poem is a reflection of Sylvia Plath’s own experiences as a woman in a patriarchal society, and it speaks to the universal experiences of women all over the world. Through its vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Purdah is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, and it is a call to action for all those who seek to create a more just and equal world.

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