'Metaphors' by Sylvia Plath
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I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.
Submitted by Samuel Biagetti
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Unfathomable Layers of Sylvia Plath's Metaphors
Can you ever tire of reading Sylvia Plath's poetry? There's something so magnetic about the way she writes that draws readers to her work, even decades after her untimely death. Among her most celebrated poems is "Metaphors," a work that encapsulates her signature style of forging layers and layers of meaning that are both dark and illuminating.
At first glance, "Metaphors" seems like a simple poem. With its short lines and lack of complex imagery, it can easily be dismissed as a piece with no depth. But Sylvia Plath is not one to offer anything basic. As you dive deeper into the poem, you'll realize that "Metaphors" is a masterpiece that contains allusions, symbols, and metaphors that are intricately woven together to form an enigmatic tapestry.
To properly appreciate "Metaphors," we need to first understand some background information about Sylvia Plath. The poet is known for her confessional style, where she writes about her own life experiences, including her mental health struggles. Plath suffered severe depression for most of her life, and that's something that's reflected in her work.
"Metaphors" was written at a crucial time in Plath's life. It was penned in 1959, when she was pregnant with her first child. The poem is a reflection of her feelings during that period, where she was grappling with the idea of motherhood while also dealing with her depression. With this context, we can begin to unravel the poem's deeper meaning.
The first thing that stands out in "Metaphors" is the repetition of the word "I." The poem is written in the first person, and the use of "I" places the focus on the poet's personal experiences. The poem starts with the line "I'm a riddle in nine syllables," which immediately sets the tone for the entire piece. Plath is acknowledging that she's a puzzle that's not easy to solve, but at the same time, she's also giving us a glimpse into her innermost self.
The second line is where we get the first metaphor: "An elephant, a ponderous house." Here, Plath is comparing herself to an elephant – a massive, powerful creature that's difficult to ignore. This is a nod to the way she sees herself – as someone who's not just physically present but also emotionally and mentally imposing. The use of "a ponderous house" adds another layer of symbolism. A house is a place of safety, comfort, and stability, but it can also be restrictive and confining. In using this metaphor, Plath is acknowledging that she's both a source of strength and a burden to herself and those around her.
The following lines of the poem introduce us to more metaphors, each one building on the previous one. Plath compares herself to a melon, a word that's loaded with sexual connotations. The melon is ripe and ready to be eaten, which could be a reference to Plath's pregnancy. But it could also be seen as a metaphor for her own body – something that's both desirable and disposable.
The third metaphor compares Plath to a "pebble," which seems at odds with the previous comparisons. But the pebble is a symbol of strength and resilience, something that can withstand the test of time. Plath may be fragile, but she's also tough and enduring.
The fourth metaphor brings us back to the theme of confinement. Plath says she's "a well, a cistern for a rainless country." This is a reference to her depression, which she sees as a drought that's draining her of her vitality. The well and cistern are both containers for water, but in the metaphor, they're empty. Plath is acknowledging that she's a vessel that's devoid of life, waiting to be filled up.
The fifth metaphor is perhaps the most striking of all. Plath says she's "a means, a stage, a cow in calf." This line is pregnant with meaning, pun intended. Plath is acknowledging that she's a means to an end – a vessel for carrying life. The "stage" could be a reference to the theatre, where actors perform in front of an audience. Plath is performing the role of a mother, but at the same time, she's also putting on a show for society's expectations. The "cow in calf" reference is another nod to her pregnancy. But it's also a symbol of the way women are commodified and reduced to their reproductive capacity.
The final metaphor is a haunting one. Plath says she's "I've eaten a bag of green apples, boarded the train there's no getting off." This line is a reference to the biblical story of Adam and Eve, where Eve eats the forbidden fruit and is banished from the Garden of Eden. Plath is acknowledging that she's made a choice that's irreversible. She's boarded the train, and there's no turning back. The line is a chilling reminder of the finality of life and the choices we make.
As you can see, "Metaphors" is a poem that's full of depth and complexity. Sylvia Plath may have written it about her own experiences, but it's a work that's universal in its themes. It speaks to the way we see ourselves, the roles we play in society, and the choices we make. It's a reminder of the fragility of life and the power of words to convey meaning that's both personal and universal.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Metaphors: A Poem of Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her confessional poetry that delves into the complexities of the human psyche. Her poem "Metaphors" is a prime example of her unique style of writing that combines vivid imagery with profound symbolism. In this poem, Plath uses a series of metaphors to describe her experience of pregnancy and the emotions that come with it. Through her use of metaphors, Plath creates a powerful and evocative portrait of the female experience.
The poem begins with the line "I'm a riddle in nine syllables," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Plath is describing herself as a puzzle, something that is difficult to decipher or understand. This line also introduces the idea of the number nine, which is significant in many cultures as a symbol of completion or wholeness. This suggests that Plath sees herself as a complete entity, despite the fact that she is pregnant and carrying another life within her.
The next line, "An elephant, a ponderous house," is the first of many metaphors that Plath uses to describe her pregnancy. The elephant is a symbol of strength and power, but also of lumbering weight and size. Plath is comparing herself to an elephant, suggesting that she feels heavy and cumbersome. The "ponderous house" is another metaphor for her body, which has become a shelter for the growing life inside her. The use of the word "ponderous" suggests that Plath feels burdened by her pregnancy, but also that she is proud of the role her body is playing in creating new life.
The third line, "A melon strolling on two tendrils," is a more playful metaphor that suggests the roundness and weight of her belly. The image of a melon strolling on two tendrils is both whimsical and evocative, and it captures the sense of movement and growth that is happening within her body. The use of the word "strolling" suggests a sense of ease and comfort, as if Plath is enjoying the experience of being pregnant.
The fourth line, "O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!" is a more abstract metaphor that suggests the beauty and complexity of the human body. The "red fruit" is a reference to the baby growing inside her, while the "ivory" and "fine timbers" suggest the strength and durability of her own body. The use of these materials as metaphors suggests that Plath sees herself and her baby as precious and valuable, but also as part of the natural world.
The fifth line, "This loaf's big with its yeasty rising," is a metaphor that compares her pregnancy to the process of baking bread. The "loaf" is a reference to her belly, which is swelling with the growth of the baby inside her. The "yeasty rising" suggests the sense of excitement and anticipation that comes with the process of pregnancy, as well as the sense of transformation that is happening within her body.
The sixth line, "Money's new-minted in this fat purse," is a metaphor that suggests the financial burden that comes with having a child. The "fat purse" is a reference to her belly, which is growing larger as the baby inside her grows. The use of the word "new-minted" suggests that Plath sees the financial burden of having a child as something that is fresh and new, but also as something that is heavy and burdensome.
The seventh line, "I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf," is a metaphor that suggests the different roles that women play in society. The "means" suggests that women are a means to an end, a way of creating new life. The "stage" suggests that women are performers, putting on a show for the world as they go through the process of pregnancy. The "cow in calf" is a reference to the way that women are often seen as nothing more than breeding machines, valued only for their ability to reproduce.
The eighth line, "I've eaten a bag of green apples," is a metaphor that suggests the nausea and discomfort that often comes with pregnancy. The image of eating a bag of green apples is evocative of the feeling of nausea and the sour taste that often accompanies it. This line also suggests that Plath is experiencing a sense of discomfort and unease, even as she is going through the process of creating new life.
The final line, "Boarded the train there's no getting off," is a metaphor that suggests the sense of inevitability that comes with pregnancy. Once a woman becomes pregnant, there is no turning back, no way to get off the train. This line suggests that Plath is aware of the fact that she is embarking on a journey that will change her life forever, and that there is no going back once she has started.
In conclusion, "Metaphors" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the complex emotions and experiences of pregnancy. Through her use of metaphors, Sylvia Plath creates a vivid and compelling portrait of the female experience, one that is both beautiful and burdensome, joyful and painful. This poem is a testament to Plath's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and nuance.
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