'Polly's Tree' by Sylvia Plath
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A dream tree, Polly's tree:
a thicket of sticks,
each speckled twig
ending in a thin-paned
leaf unlike any
other on it
or in a ghost flower
flat as paper and
of a color
vaporish as frost-breath,
more finical than
any silk fan
the Chinese ladies use
to stir robin's egg
air. The silver-
haired seed of the milkweed
comes to roost there, frail
as the halo
rayed round a candle flame,
a will-o'-the-wisp
nimbus, or puff
of cloud-stuff, tipping her
queer candelabrum.
Palely lit by
snuff-ruffed dandelions,
white daisy wheels and
a tiger faced
pansy, it glows. O it's
no family tree,
Polly's tree, nor
a tree of heaven, though
it marry quartz-flake,
feather and rose.
It sprang from her pillow
whole as a cobweb
ribbed like a hand,
a dream tree. Polly's tree
wears a valentine
arc of tear-pearled
bleeding hearts on its sleeve
and, crowning it, one
blue larkspur star.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Polly's Tree by Sylvia Plath
Polly's Tree is a poem written by Sylvia Plath, a renowned American poet, novelist, and short-story writer. The poem was first published in 1956 in the Smith College Review, a literary magazine from Smith College, where Plath studied. The poem's title refers to a tree that stood on the grounds of Smith College, where Plath spent her undergraduate years.
The poem is a complex work that intertwines themes of nature, growth, and transformation with the speaker's personal experiences and emotions. Plath uses vivid imagery and symbolism to create a rich and layered poem that invites multiple interpretations.
Analysis
The poem begins with the speaker describing the tree in vivid detail, noting its "white tree trunk" and "green leaves." The speaker then compares the tree to a "tall bride" and "a woman in white." These comparisons suggest that the tree is a symbol of femininity and purity, but also of growth and transformation.
The speaker then goes on to describe the tree's "long white arms," which she imagines reaching out to embrace her. This image suggests that the tree is a source of comfort and support for the speaker.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's relationship with the tree becomes more complex. She describes the tree as "haunting" and "frightening," suggesting that it has a dark, mysterious side. This image is reinforced by the image of the tree's "black roots" that "drink from the earth." The tree's roots are a symbol of its connection to the earth and suggest that it is a powerful, primal force.
The speaker then describes how she has "lay down under the tree," suggesting that she has sought refuge and solace in its shade. However, she also notes that the tree's branches "whispered secrets," suggesting that it has a sinister, mysterious side.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker describes how the tree's "white arms" have "turned and twisted into a thousand shapes," suggesting that it has undergone a profound transformation. The image of the tree's "long white fingers" also suggests that it has taken on a more sinister, almost human-like aspect.
The speaker then concludes the poem by saying that "now the tree is a woman / and wants to be loved." This final image is perhaps the most complex and open to interpretation. It suggests that the tree has completed its transformation into a woman and is now seeking love and connection. However, it also suggests that the tree's transformation may not be entirely positive and may have dark, unsettling implications.
Interpretation
Polly's Tree is a complex and enigmatic poem that invites multiple interpretations. At its heart, the poem is about growth, transformation, and the power of nature. The tree is a powerful symbol of these themes, representing both the beauty and the darkness of the natural world.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of Plath's own experiences at Smith College. The tree is a symbol of the college itself, a place where Plath underwent a profound transformation from a young girl to a mature woman. The tree's "long white arms" represent the support and guidance that Plath found at the college, while its "black roots" represent the darker, more mysterious aspects of the college experience.
Another possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a feminist critique of traditional gender roles. The tree's transformation into a woman suggests that femininity itself is a powerful force that can undergo transformation and change. The tree's desire to be loved may be a critique of the way that women are often objectified and treated as objects of desire.
Overall, Polly's Tree is a rich and complex poem that invites multiple interpretations. Its vivid imagery and symbolism create a powerful emotional impact that stays with the reader long after the poem has ended. Whether read as a reflection of Plath's own experiences or as a feminist critique of traditional gender roles, the poem remains a powerful and resonant work of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Polly's Tree: A Poem of Growth and Transformation
Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her hauntingly beautiful and deeply personal works. Her poem "Polly's Tree" is no exception. Written in 1956, the poem explores themes of growth, transformation, and the power of nature.
At its core, "Polly's Tree" is a poem about a young girl named Polly who plants a tree and watches it grow over time. However, the poem is much more than a simple narrative. Plath uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey a deeper message about the human experience.
The poem begins with Polly planting a tree:
Polly's tree, growing in the yard,
Planted by Polly's own hand,
Tall and proud, and green and hard,
Growing strong where it stands.
Right away, we get a sense of Polly's agency and independence. She is not simply watching the tree grow, she is actively involved in its creation. The tree is "planted by Polly's own hand," which suggests that she is a capable and determined young girl.
As the poem progresses, we see the tree grow and change:
Polly's tree, with leaves so bright,
Shimmering in the summer sun,
Growing taller day and night,
Reaching for the sky as one.
The tree is described as having "leaves so bright" that they "shimmer" in the sun. This imagery suggests that the tree is full of life and vitality. It is also growing rapidly, "reaching for the sky" as it grows taller "day and night." This growth is a metaphor for Polly's own development and transformation.
As the tree grows, Polly's relationship with it changes:
Polly's tree, with branches wide,
Sheltering Polly from the heat,
A place for Polly to hide,
A place for Polly to meet.
The tree is now described as having "branches wide" that "shelter" Polly from the heat. It has become a place of refuge and comfort for her. The tree is no longer just a symbol of growth and transformation, it is also a symbol of safety and security.
However, the poem takes a darker turn as Polly's relationship with the tree becomes more complicated:
Polly's tree, with bark so rough,
A place for Polly to carve her name,
A place for Polly to be tough,
A place for Polly to lay her claim.
The tree's bark is described as "rough," which suggests that it is no longer just a symbol of growth and transformation, but also of struggle and hardship. Polly carves her name into the tree, which is a symbol of ownership and possession. The tree has become a symbol of power and control for Polly.
The poem ends with Polly leaving the tree behind:
Polly's tree, with leaves so brown,
Standing tall in the autumn air,
Polly's gone, and left the town,
But Polly's tree is still there.
The tree is now described as having "leaves so brown," which suggests that it is no longer full of life and vitality. Polly has left the town, but the tree remains. It is a symbol of the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
Overall, "Polly's Tree" is a powerful poem that explores themes of growth, transformation, and the power of nature. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Sylvia Plath conveys a deeper message about the human experience. The poem is a reminder that we are all constantly growing and changing, and that the natural world has the power to shape us in profound ways.
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