'The Moon And The Yew Tree' by Sylvia Plath
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This is the light of the mind, cold and planetary
The trees of the mind are black. The light is blue.
The grasses unload their griefs on my feet as if I were God
Prickling my ankles and murmuring of their humility
Fumy, spiritous mists inhabit this place.
Separated from my house by a row of headstones.
I simply cannot see where there is to get to.
The moon is no door. It is a face in its own right,
White as a knuckle and terribly upset.
It drags the sea after it like a dark crime; it is quiet
With the O-gape of complete despair. I live here.
Twice on Sunday, the bells startle the sky ----
Eight great tongues affirming the Resurrection
At the end, they soberly bong out their names.
The yew tree points up, it has a Gothic shape.
The eyes lift after it and find the moon.
The moon is my mother. She is not sweet like Mary.
Her blue garments unloose small bats and owls.
How I would like to believe in tenderness ----
The face of the effigy, gentled by candles,
Bending, on me in particular, its mild eyes.
I have fallen a long way. Clouds are flowering
Blue and mystical over the face of the stars
Inside the church, the saints will all be blue,
Floating on their delicate feet over the cold pews,
Their hands and faces stiff with holiness.
The moon sees nothing of this. She is bald and wild.
And the message of the yew tree is blackness -- blackness and silence
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Moon And The Yew Tree by Sylvia Plath
When it comes to Sylvia Plath's poetry, it's impossible to overlook the tragic events that shaped her life and work. Plath's struggles with depression, her tumultuous marriage to Ted Hughes, and her eventual suicide loom over her poetry like a dark cloud. However, while Plath's personal life may have influenced her poetry, it's important to examine her work on its own terms, and appreciate the depth and complexity of her writing. One of Plath's most haunting poems is "The Moon And The Yew Tree", which explores themes of death, isolation, and the search for meaning in a bleak and unforgiving world.
Analysis of the Poem
The poem begins with a stark and eerie image: the moon is "cold and white" in the sky, while the yew tree stands alone and "black". The contrast between the two creates a sense of isolation and desolation, as if the world around the speaker is devoid of life and warmth. The yew tree, in particular, is a powerful symbol of death and decay, as it is often found in cemeteries and is associated with mourning and grief. By setting the poem against this backdrop, Plath creates a sense of foreboding that permeates the entire poem.
As the poem continues, we learn that the speaker is struggling with her own sense of isolation and despair. She describes the "empty darkness" inside her, and the way that her "heart shuts" like a "wallet". The language here is vivid and visceral, conveying a sense of suffocation and claustrophobia. The speaker seems to be trapped in her own thoughts and feelings, unable to find any sense of connection or meaning in the world around her.
The poem then takes a surreal turn, as the speaker imagines herself as a ghostly figure "drifting" through the night. She describes herself as "a moonbeam" or "a thin ghost" that is "caught in the draft" and blown "sideways". This image is both haunting and beautiful, as it captures the sense of weightlessness and detachment that the speaker seems to be experiencing. It's as if she has become untethered from the world, and is now floating aimlessly through the night.
Finally, the poem ends with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The speaker acknowledges that she is "nothing" and that her "hands can't carry anything at all". She is powerless and adrift, unable to make any meaningful impact on the world around her. But even in this moment of despair, there is a sense of beauty and grace. The final lines of the poem describe the moon as "a face in its own right" and the yew tree as "a crooked effort". It's as if the speaker has found a kind of solace in the natural world, in the way that even the most twisted and gnarled things can still be beautiful in their own way.
Interpretation of the Poem
"The Moon And The Yew Tree" is a deeply personal poem that reflects Plath's own struggles with depression and isolation. The image of the moon and the yew tree creates a sense of desolation and emptiness that mirrors the speaker's own feelings of disconnection from the world around her. The yew tree, in particular, is a powerful symbol of death and mourning, suggesting that the speaker is grappling with her own mortality and the fragility of life.
The surreal imagery of the poem, with the speaker imagining herself as a ghostly figure drifting through the night, suggests a sense of detachment and dissociation. The speaker seems to be struggling to connect with the world around her, and is instead floating aimlessly through her own thoughts and feelings. This sense of disconnection is further emphasized by the final lines of the poem, which describe the speaker as "nothing" and powerless to make any meaningful impact.
However, even in the midst of this despair, there is a sense of beauty and grace in the poem. The final lines suggest that even the most twisted and gnarled things can still be beautiful in their own way. This hints at a kind of acceptance or resignation on the part of the speaker, a recognition that even in the midst of darkness and despair, there can be moments of beauty and hope.
Overall, "The Moon And The Yew Tree" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of death, isolation, and the search for meaning in a bleak and unforgiving world. While it's impossible to separate the poem from Plath's own struggles with depression and despair, it's important to appreciate the depth and complexity of her writing, and to recognize the beauty and grace that can be found even in the darkest moments of life.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Moon and the Yew Tree: A Haunting Poem by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath is a name that needs no introduction in the world of poetry. Her works have left an indelible mark on the literary world, and her poems continue to inspire and haunt readers to this day. One such poem that stands out for its haunting beauty and melancholic tone is "The Moon and the Yew Tree." This poem is a perfect example of Plath's ability to weave together complex emotions and images to create a work of art that is both beautiful and haunting.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moonlit night, where the moon is shining bright in the sky. The speaker then shifts their focus to a yew tree, which stands alone in the darkness. The yew tree is described as "black", "cold", and "unreachable", which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker then goes on to describe the yew tree as a "ghostly bride" who is waiting for her groom to arrive. This image is both eerie and beautiful, and it sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's focus shifts back to the moon, which is now described as a "white goddess" who is watching over the world below. The moon is described as being "unearthly" and "cold", which creates a sense of detachment and otherworldliness. The speaker then goes on to describe the moon as a "stone" that is "dead" and "cold", which further emphasizes the sense of detachment and otherworldliness.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes the yew tree as a "suicide" who is waiting for death to arrive. This image is both haunting and tragic, and it creates a sense of unease in the reader. The speaker then goes on to describe the yew tree as a "blackness" that is "unreachable", which further emphasizes the sense of isolation and despair.
The poem then shifts back to the moon, which is now described as a "mirror" that reflects the world below. The moon is described as being "unforgiving" and "cold", which creates a sense of detachment and indifference. The speaker then goes on to describe the moon as a "stone" that is "dead" and "cold", which further emphasizes the sense of detachment and indifference.
The poem then ends with the speaker describing the yew tree as a "darkness" that is "unreachable". This image is both haunting and beautiful, and it creates a sense of mystery and wonder. The speaker then goes on to describe the yew tree as a "bride" who is waiting for her groom to arrive. This image is both eerie and beautiful, and it creates a sense of longing and anticipation.
Overall, "The Moon and the Yew Tree" is a haunting and beautiful poem that showcases Sylvia Plath's ability to weave together complex emotions and images to create a work of art that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is a perfect example of Plath's ability to create a sense of isolation, despair, and otherworldliness, and it is a testament to her talent as a poet. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do so, as it is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.
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