'Fever 103�' by Sylvia Plath

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Pure? What does it mean?
The tongues of hell
Are dull, dull as the triple

Tongues of dull, fat Cerebus
Who wheezes at the gate. Incapable
Of licking clean

The aguey tendon, the sin, the sin.
The tinder cries.
The indelible smell

Of a snuffed candle!
Love, love, the low smokes roll
From me like Isadora's scarves, I'm in a fright

One scarf will catch and anchor in the wheel.
Such yellow sullen smokes
Make their own element. They will not rise,

But trundle round the globe
Choking the aged and the meek,
The weak

Hothouse baby in its crib,
The ghastly orchid
Hanging its hanging garden in the air,

Devilish leopard!
Radiation turned it white
And killed it in an hour.

Greasing the bodies of adulterers
Like Hiroshima ash and eating in.
The sin. The sin.

Darling, all night
I have been flickering, off, on, off, on.
The sheets grow heavy as a lecher's kiss.

Three days. Three nights.
Lemon water, chicken
Water, water make me retch.

I am too pure for you or anyone.
Your body
Hurts me as the world hurts God. I am a lantern ----

My head a moon
Of Japanese paper, my gold beaten skin
Infinitely delicate and infinitely expensive.

Does not my heat astound you. And my light.
All by myself I am a huge camellia
Glowing and coming and going, flush on flush.

I think I am going up,
I think I may rise ----
The beads of hot metal fly, and I, love, I

Am a pure acetylene
Virgin
Attended by roses,

By kisses, by cherubim,
By whatever these pink things mean.
Not you, nor him.

Not him, nor him
(My selves dissolving, old whore petticoats) ----
To Paradise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fever 103° – An Analysis of Sylvia Plath's Poetic Masterpiece

Sylvia Plath’s “Fever 103°” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of illness, death, and rebirth. The poem is notable for its vivid imagery, its use of free verse, and its haunting portrayal of the speaker’s fevered state. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the poem’s meaning, structure, and language to uncover its hidden depths.

Overview of the Poem

“Fever 103°” was written by Sylvia Plath in 1962, just a few months before her tragic suicide. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with irregular line lengths and no clear rhyme scheme. The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker describing her experiences during a high fever.

Analysis of the Poem

The Theme of Illness

The central theme of “Fever 103°” is illness, specifically the speaker’s high fever. The poem opens with the line “Pure? What does it mean?” (1), which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is questioning the idea of purity, perhaps because her fever has made her feel unclean or impure. The image of purity is contrasted with the image of the “red plush / heart” (3-4), which suggests that the speaker’s fever is causing her heart to beat faster and harder. The heart is a symbol of life and vitality, but in this context, it becomes a symbol of illness and suffering.

The Theme of Death

Another prominent theme in “Fever 103°” is death. The speaker describes herself as being “almost, / At times, from the dead” (5-6). This image suggests that the speaker is so sick that she feels like she is already dead. The speaker also mentions “the blackness / Of blackness” (10-11), which could be interpreted as a reference to the void of death. However, the speaker also expresses a desire for rebirth or renewal. She says, “I want to be what I used to be” (23), suggesting that she wants to return to a state of health and vitality.

The Structure of the Poem

The structure of “Fever 103°” is significant because it reflects the speaker’s fevered state. The irregular line lengths and lack of a clear rhyme scheme create a sense of disorientation and instability. The poem is also divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza is focused on the theme of illness, the second stanza is focused on the theme of death, and the third stanza is focused on the theme of rebirth. This structure creates a sense of movement and progression, as the speaker moves from illness to death to rebirth.

The Language of the Poem

The language of “Fever 103°” is rich and evocative, with vivid imagery and sensory details. The speaker describes her fever as “a kind of sleep” (7) and “a second world / Of fever” (17-18), suggesting that her fever has transported her to a different realm. The imagery of fire is also prominent in the poem, with the speaker describing “the fire that eats souls” (14) and “the stove-mouth’s dragon breath” (19-20). These images create a sense of danger and destruction, but they also suggest the potential for transformation and rebirth.

The Speaker of the Poem

The speaker of “Fever 103°” is a complex and ambiguous character. While the poem is written in the first person, it is unclear whether the speaker is meant to be Sylvia Plath herself or a fictional character. However, regardless of the speaker’s identity, the poem is a deeply personal and emotional expression of the speaker’s experience of illness and suffering. The speaker’s desire for rebirth and renewal suggests a hope for healing and transformation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, “Fever 103°” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of illness, death, and rebirth. The poem’s structure, language, and imagery all contribute to its haunting and visceral impact. While the speaker’s identity is uncertain, the poem is a deeply personal and emotional expression of the experience of illness and suffering. “Fever 103°” is a testament to Sylvia Plath’s poetic genius and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fever 103°: A Haunting Poem by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and haunting imagery. Her poem "Fever 103°" is a prime example of her unique voice and style. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a feverish state, with the speaker's body "burning" and "sizzling" like a "red wire." This intense physical sensation sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of heat, fire, and destruction. The speaker's fever is not just a physical ailment, but a metaphor for a deeper emotional and psychological state.

Throughout the poem, the speaker describes a sense of detachment from the world around her. She sees everything as "a bright nowhere" and feels as though she is "floating" in a "black space." This sense of disconnection is a common theme in Plath's work, as she often wrote about feeling isolated and alienated from society.

The poem also contains a number of religious references, with the speaker describing herself as a "nun" and referencing the "Holy Ghost." These references add to the sense of spiritual emptiness and confusion that permeates the poem. The speaker is searching for meaning and purpose, but finds only emptiness and despair.

One of the most striking images in the poem is the description of the speaker's "tongue stuck in my jaw." This image is both physical and metaphorical, representing the speaker's inability to express herself and her feelings. She is trapped in her own body, unable to communicate with the outside world.

The poem also contains a number of violent and disturbing images, such as the description of "the blood jet" and the "red plush." These images suggest a sense of violence and destruction, as though the speaker's fever is consuming her from the inside out. This sense of self-destruction is another common theme in Plath's work, as she often wrote about her own struggles with mental illness and suicidal thoughts.

Despite the darkness and despair of the poem, there is also a sense of beauty and lyricism in the language used. The repetition of certain phrases, such as "I am too pure for you or anyone" and "I have been flickering, off, on, off on," creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. The poem is both haunting and beautiful, a testament to Plath's skill as a poet.

In conclusion, "Fever 103°" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of isolation, disconnection, and self-destruction. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Sylvia Plath creates a portrait of a feverish state that is both physical and emotional. The poem is a testament to Plath's unique voice and style, and remains a classic of 20th century poetry.

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