'Elm' by Sylvia Plath


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for Ruth Fainlight

I know the bottom, she says. I know it with my great tap root;
It is what you fear.
I do not fear it: I have been there.

Is it the sea you hear in me,
Its dissatisfactions?
Or the voice of nothing, that was you madness?

Love is a shadow.
How you lie and cry after it.
Listen: these are its hooves: it has gone off, like a horse.

All night I shall gallup thus, impetuously,
Till your head is a stone, your pillow a little turf,
Echoing, echoing.

Or shall I bring you the sound of poisons?
This is rain now, the big hush.
And this is the fruit of it: tin white, like arsenic.

I have suffered the atrocity of sunsets.
Scorched to the root
My red filaments burn and stand,a hand of wires.

Now I break up in pieces that fly about like clubs.
A wind of such violence
Will tolerate no bystanding: I must shriek.

The moon, also, is merciless: she would drag me
Cruelly, being barren.
Her radiance scathes me. Or perhaps I have caught her.

I let her go. I let her go
Diminished and flat, as after radical surgery.
How your bad dreams possess and endow me.

I am inhabited by a cry.
Nightly it flaps out
Looking, with its hooks, for something to love.

I am terrified by this dark thing
That sleeps in me;
All day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its malignity.

Clouds pass and disperse.
Are those the faces of love, those pale irretrievables?
Is it for such I agitate my heart?

I am incapable of more knowledge.
What is this, this face
So murderous in its strangle of branches? ----

Its snaky acids kiss.
It petrifies the will. These are the isolate, slow faults
That kill, that kill, that kill.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Elm by Sylvia Plath: A Profound Exploration of Pain and Suffering

Sylvia Plath, the iconic poetess of the 20th century, is known for her dark, introspective poetry that delves deep into the human psyche and explores the themes of death, despair, and mental illness. Her poem "Elm" is a powerful, haunting meditation on the nature of pain and suffering, and how it can consume and overwhelm us in ways that we cannot comprehend.

At its core, "Elm" is a poem about the experience of living with chronic pain. Plath herself suffered from debilitating migraines and depression, and this poem is a reflection of her own struggles with these conditions. The elm tree, with its gnarled, twisted branches and dark, ominous presence, serves as a metaphor for the pain that she feels inside her own body and mind.

Plath begins the poem with an evocative description of the elm tree, which she personifies as a malevolent force that casts its shadow over everything:

I know the bottom, she says. I know it with my great tap root: It is what you fear. I do not fear it: I have been there.

The tree is described as having a "great tap root" that extends deep into the ground, suggesting that it is firmly rooted in the earth and cannot be easily uprooted or destroyed. The speaker claims to know the "bottom" of the tree, which can be interpreted as the darkest, most hidden aspect of the self. This suggests that the tree represents the speaker's own inner turmoil and pain, which she has explored and come to know intimately.

The repeated refrain "It is what you fear" emphasizes the overwhelming, all-consuming nature of the pain that the speaker is experiencing. The fact that she does not fear it suggests that she has come to accept and even embrace her own suffering, recognizing that it is an integral part of who she is.

The second stanza of the poem continues this exploration of pain and suffering, with the speaker describing the tree as a "blackness" that envelops her:

I have passed through the black, the pitch-black and the blue purple velvet that guards the cold.

The use of color imagery here is particularly striking: "black," "pitch-black," "blue," and "purple velvet" all suggest a sense of darkness and depth. The fact that the speaker has "passed through" this darkness suggests that she has experienced it in a profound and transformative way, perhaps through a period of depression or mental anguish.

The phrase "the cold" serves as a contrast to the warmth and light that we normally associate with life. Here, the cold represents the absence of feeling or emotion, a sense of numbness and detachment that can come with chronic pain or mental illness. The fact that it is "guarded" by the velvet implies that it is something that is not easily accessed or understood.

The third stanza of the poem shifts focus slightly, with the speaker describing the sensation of being consumed by the pain:

I am incapable of more knowledge. What is this, this face So murderous in its strangle of branches?

The use of the phrase "incapable of more knowledge" suggests that the speaker has reached a point where she can no longer understand or comprehend the full extent of her pain. It has become so intense and overwhelming that it defies explanation or understanding.

The tree is described as having a "murderous" face, which suggests that it is not just a passive presence, but an active force that is actively harming the speaker. The use of the word "strangle" implies a sense of suffocation or choking, as if the pain is closing in on her and cutting off her ability to breathe.

The final stanza of the poem brings the speaker's introspective journey full circle, with her returning to the image of the elm tree as a symbol of her own pain and suffering:

It is the world in which I am lost, And I am the blackness without a hint of light. I am not even a witness. Twice I have risen in a sort of joy

The repetition of the phrase "I am" emphasizes the sense of self that is at the heart of this poem. The speaker is not just describing the pain that she feels, but embodying it, becoming one with it in a way that is both terrifying and profound.

The line "I am the blackness without a hint of light" suggests that the speaker has fully surrendered to the darkness and despair that she feels. There is no hope, no glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, just a deep and abiding sense of emptiness and loss.

The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most hopeful, suggesting that despite the darkness and pain that the speaker has experienced, there is still the possibility of joy and renewal. The fact that she has "risen" twice suggests that she has overcome her pain in some way, perhaps through artistic expression or introspective reflection.

In conclusion, "Elm" is a powerful and haunting exploration of pain and suffering, and how it can consume and overwhelm us in ways that we cannot comprehend. Through the use of evocative imagery and introspective reflection, Sylvia Plath has created a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Elm by Sylvia Plath: A Haunting Exploration of Mental Illness and Despair

Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her powerful and haunting works that explore themes of mental illness, despair, and the complexities of the human psyche. One of her most famous poems, Elm, is a prime example of her unique style and ability to capture the essence of human emotion in a few carefully crafted lines.

Elm was written in 1962, just two years before Plath's tragic death at the age of 30. It is a deeply personal and introspective poem that delves into the poet's own struggles with mental illness and the overwhelming sense of despair that often accompanies it. The poem is structured in four stanzas, each with a distinct tone and imagery that contributes to the overall mood of the piece.

The first stanza of Elm sets the stage for the rest of the poem, introducing the central image of the elm tree and its significance to the poet. Plath describes the tree as "a giant with one gray toe / Big as a Frisco seal" and goes on to paint a vivid picture of its imposing presence. The use of the word "giant" immediately conveys a sense of awe and reverence for the tree, while the comparison to a seal adds a touch of whimsy and playfulness.

However, the tone quickly shifts in the second stanza as Plath begins to explore the darker aspects of the elm tree. She describes how "its snaky acids kiss" and how "its boughs grow heavy as if weighted down / And sinking, rootless, in the sky." These lines suggest a sense of suffocation and entrapment, as if the tree is slowly consuming everything around it. The use of the word "snaky" adds a sinister quality to the image, while the idea of the boughs sinking and becoming rootless creates a sense of instability and chaos.

The third stanza of Elm is perhaps the most powerful and emotionally charged. Plath describes how "the sun breaks through, / Minting the chalice-shaped rooms / Where guests come and go." This image of the sun breaking through the darkness is a common motif in Plath's work, representing hope and the possibility of redemption. However, this moment of light is quickly overshadowed by the final lines of the stanza: "All day I feel its soft, feathery turnings, its malignity." Here, Plath reveals the true nature of the elm tree and the sense of dread and despair that it inspires in her.

The final stanza of Elm brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the elm tree and its impact on the poet. Plath describes how "the voices of the elm trees are dying like flies" and how "I am inhabited by a cry." These lines suggest a sense of loss and mourning, as if the poet is mourning the loss of something precious and irreplaceable. The use of the word "inhabited" adds a sense of possession and control, as if the cry has taken over the poet's very being.

Overall, Elm is a haunting and deeply personal exploration of mental illness and the complexities of the human psyche. Plath's use of vivid imagery and powerful language creates a sense of unease and discomfort, drawing the reader into her world and allowing them to experience the same emotions that she herself felt. While the poem is undoubtedly dark and unsettling, it is also a testament to Plath's incredible talent as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a few carefully crafted lines.

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