'Virgin In A Tree' by Sylvia Plath


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How this tart fable instructs
And mocks! Here's the parody of that moral mousetrap
Set in the proverbs stitched on samplers
Approving chased girls who get them to a tree
And put on bark's nun-black

Habit which deflects
All amorous arrows. For to sheathe the virgin shape
In a scabbard of wood baffles pursuers,
Whether goat-thighed or god-haloed. Ever since that first Daphne
Switched her incomparable back

For a bay-tree hide, respect's
Twined to her hard limbs like ivy: the puritan lip
Cries: 'Celebrate Syrinx whose demurs
Won her the frog-colored skin, pale pith and watery
Bed of a reed. Look:

Pine-needle armor protects
Pitys from Pan's assault! And though age drop
Their leafy crowns, their fame soars,
Eclipsing Eva, Cleo and Helen of Troy:
For which of those would speak

For a fashion that constricts
White bodies in a wooden girdle, root to top
Unfaced, unformed, the nipple-flowers
Shrouded to suckle darkness? Only they
Who keep cool and holy make

A sanctum to attract
Green virgins, consecrating limb and lip
To chastity's service: like prophets, like preachers,
They descant on the serene and seraphic beauty
Of virgins for virginity's sake.'

Be certain some such pact's
Been struck to keep all glory in the grip
Of ugly spinsters and barren sirs
As you etch on the inner window of your eye
This virgin on her rack:

She, ripe and unplucked, 's
Lain splayed too long in the tortuous boughs: overripe
Now, dour-faced, her fingers
Stiff as twigs, her body woodenly
Askew, she'll ache and wake

Though doomsday bud. Neglect's
Given her lips that lemon-tasting droop:
Untongued, all beauty's bright juice sours.
Tree-twist will ape this gross anatomy
Till irony's bough break.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sylvia Plath's Virgin In A Tree: A Feminist Exploration of Power and Identity

Sylvia Plath's poem "Virgin In A Tree" is a complex and multi-layered work that offers a feminist exploration of power, identity, and the complexities of the human experience. Written in the mid-1950s, during a time when women were often relegated to traditional gender roles and expected to conform to societal norms, Plath's poem challenges these expectations and offers a new perspective on what it means to be a woman in a patriarchal society.

The poem begins with a vivid and captivating image: a "virgin in a tree" who is "white as a frond" and "beautiful as a woman." Immediately, Plath establishes a sense of mystery and intrigue around the figure, inviting the reader to question who she is and what she represents. Is she a literal virgin in a tree, or a metaphorical representation of something else entirely?

As the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that the latter is true. The virgin in the tree is a symbol of female power and agency, a figure who has climbed above the constraints of society and is able to see the world from a new perspective. She is an outsider, looking in on a world that is not meant for her, and yet she is also a part of that world, interacting with it in her own ways.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way that Plath employs language to create a sense of tension and ambiguity. The virgin in the tree is both "white as a frond" and "beautiful as a woman," two descriptions that seem to pull in opposite directions. The frond is a symbol of innocence and purity, while the woman is a symbol of sexuality and desire. By combining these two images, Plath creates a complex and contradictory figure that defies easy categorization.

This tension is further emphasized by the use of color imagery throughout the poem. The virgin is described as "white," a color that is often associated with purity and innocence, but she is also surrounded by "blackbirds" that "claw and cry." The contrast between the white virgin and the dark birds creates a sense of unease and suggests that there is something threatening or dangerous lurking beneath the surface.

As the poem progresses, Plath explores the theme of identity in more depth, asking questions about what it means to be a woman in a world that often denies women agency and power. The virgin in the tree is a symbol of female empowerment, but she is also a reminder of the ways in which women are often marginalized and excluded from positions of power.

This tension is particularly evident in the final stanza of the poem, where the virgin is described as being "pure without sin" but also "cast out of heaven." This paradoxical image suggests that women are often punished for their purity and their refusal to conform to societal norms. By placing the virgin in the tree, Plath is suggesting that women have the power to climb above these limitations and see the world from a new perspective, but she is also acknowledging the difficulties and challenges that come with this kind of empowerment.

In many ways, "Virgin In A Tree" can be read as a feminist manifesto, a call to arms for women to reclaim their power and agency in a society that often seeks to deny them these things. Plath's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a multi-layered and complex work that invites the reader to question their assumptions and explore new perspectives. It is a poem that remains as relevant today as it was when it was first written, a testament to the enduring power of feminist thought and the enduring legacy of Sylvia Plath.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Virgin In A Tree: A Poem of Feminine Empowerment

Sylvia Plath's "Virgin In A Tree" is a poem that speaks to the power of femininity and the importance of self-discovery. The poem is a celebration of the female form and the strength that comes from embracing one's own identity. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Plath creates a world in which women are free to explore their own desires and passions.

The poem begins with the image of a young girl sitting in a tree, looking out over the world around her. The girl is described as a "virgin," which immediately sets the tone for the poem. This is a story about a young woman who is just beginning to discover her own sexuality and the power that comes with it. The tree itself is a symbol of growth and transformation, as the girl is perched high above the ground, looking out over the world around her.

As the poem progresses, the girl begins to explore her own desires and passions. She is described as "wild" and "untamed," which speaks to the idea that women are often seen as being too emotional or irrational. However, Plath is celebrating these qualities, showing that they are a source of strength and power. The girl is not afraid to embrace her own desires and passions, even if they are seen as unconventional or taboo.

One of the most powerful images in the poem is the description of the girl's body. Plath writes, "Her body is a pebble / Buried under fat / Her hair is a brush fire / Brown-black." This is a powerful statement about the way that women are often judged based on their physical appearance. The girl's body is described as being "buried under fat," which speaks to the idea that women are often expected to conform to a certain standard of beauty. However, Plath is celebrating the girl's body, showing that it is a source of strength and power. The girl's hair is described as a "brush fire," which speaks to the idea that women are often seen as being too emotional or irrational. However, Plath is celebrating these qualities, showing that they are a source of strength and power.

Throughout the poem, Plath is celebrating the power of femininity and the importance of self-discovery. The girl is not afraid to explore her own desires and passions, even if they are seen as unconventional or taboo. She is described as being "wild" and "untamed," which speaks to the idea that women are often seen as being too emotional or irrational. However, Plath is celebrating these qualities, showing that they are a source of strength and power.

The poem ends with the image of the girl descending from the tree and walking away, "her small breasts glittering / In the sun." This is a powerful statement about the way that women are often judged based on their physical appearance. The girl's small breasts are described as "glittering," which speaks to the idea that women are often expected to conform to a certain standard of beauty. However, Plath is celebrating the girl's body, showing that it is a source of strength and power.

In conclusion, "Virgin In A Tree" is a powerful poem that celebrates the power of femininity and the importance of self-discovery. Through the use of vivid imagery and powerful language, Plath creates a world in which women are free to explore their own desires and passions. The poem is a celebration of the female form and the strength that comes from embracing one's own identity. It is a reminder that women are not defined by their physical appearance or societal expectations, but rather by their own desires and passions.

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