'Dialogue Between Ghost And Priest' by Sylvia Plath
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In the rectory garden on his evening walk
Paced brisk Father Shawn. A cold day, a sodden one it was
In black November. After a sliding rain
Dew stood in chill sweat on each stalk,
Each thorn; spiring from wet earth, a blue haze
Hung caught in dark-webbed branches like a fabulous heron.
Hauled sudden from solitude,
Hair prickling on his head,
Father Shawn perceived a ghost
Shaping itself from that mist.
'How now,' Father Shawn crisply addressed the ghost
Wavering there, gauze-edged, smelling of woodsmoke,
'What manner of business are you on?
From your blue pallor, I'd say you inhabited the frozen waste
Of hell, and not the fiery part. Yet to judge by that dazzled look,
That noble mien, perhaps you've late quitted heaven?'
In voice furred with frost,
Ghost said to priest:
'Neither of those countries do I frequent:
Earth is my haunt.'
'Come, come,' Father Shawn gave an impatient shrug,
'I don't ask you to spin some ridiculous fable
Of gilded harps or gnawing fire: simply tell
After your life's end, what just epilogue
God ordained to follow up your days. Is it such trouble
To satisfy the questions of a curious old fool?'
'In life, love gnawed my skin
To this white bone;
What love did then, love does now:
Gnaws me through.'
'What love,' asked Father Shawn, 'but too great love
Of flawed earth-flesh could cause this sorry pass?
Some damned condition you are in:
Thinking never to have left the world, you grieve
As though alive, shriveling in torment thus
To atone as shade for sin that lured blind man.'
'The day of doom
Is not yest come.
Until that time
A crock of dust is my dear hom.'
'Fond phantom,' cried shocked Father Shawn,
'Can there be such stubbornness--
A soul grown feverish, clutching its dead body-tree
Like a last storm-crossed leaf? Best get you gone
To judgment in a higher court of grace.
Repent, depart, before God's trump-crack splits the sky.'
From that pale mist
Ghost swore to priest:
'There sits no higher court
Than man's red heart.'
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Haunting Conversation: Sylvia Plath's "Dialogue Between Ghost and Priest"
Sylvia Plath's "Dialogue Between Ghost and Priest" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the human struggle with mortality, faith, and the afterlife. Through a conversation between a ghost and a priest, Plath presents a thought-provoking exploration of the human condition that is both poignant and unsettling.
At its core, "Dialogue Between Ghost and Priest" is a meditation on the afterlife and the concept of eternal damnation. The poem begins with the ghost addressing the priest, asking for his help in escaping from the "torments" of hell. The ghost is clear in its desperation, painting a vivid picture of the horrors of the afterlife: "I walked among the flames, / And it was hot, hot, hot. / And fire shot up from under my feet, / And fire fell from the sky, / And I walked upon fire."
The priest, however, is unmoved by the ghost's pleas. He is a representation of the religious establishment, rigidly adhering to doctrine and dogma, and unwilling to question the nature of the afterlife. He is quick to dismiss the ghost's cries for help, telling it that "there is no release, / No parole, no escape from the flaming pit, / Save in the grace of God."
It is through this conversation that Plath explores the complex relationship between faith and fear. The ghost is tormented by the idea of eternal damnation, and it is this fear that drives its desperate attempts to escape from hell. The priest, on the other hand, presents a vision of faith that is built on the fear of punishment. He believes that the only way to avoid eternal damnation is to live a life of strict adherence to religious doctrine, and he has no sympathy for those who have failed to do so.
It is this tension between faith and fear that gives "Dialogue Between Ghost and Priest" its power. Plath's poem is a searing critique of the religious establishment, which she sees as oppressive and unyielding. At the same time, however, she does not dismiss the concept of faith outright. Instead, she presents a vision of faith that is built on compassion and empathy, rather than punishment and fear.
This is most evident in the final lines of the poem, where the ghost asks the priest for a blessing. The priest initially refuses, telling the ghost that it is beyond redemption. However, he eventually relents, and his blessing takes on a surprisingly tender tone: "May you rest in peace, / May you rest in peace, / May you rest in peace."
In this moment, Plath suggests that there is a kind of redemption and peace that can be found even in the afterlife. It is a message of hope that is ultimately more powerful than the fear and oppression of the religious establishment.
Overall, "Dialogue Between Ghost and Priest" is a complex and nuanced exploration of the human condition. Through its haunting imagery and powerful language, Plath presents a vision of faith that is both critical and hopeful, challenging readers to question their own beliefs about the afterlife and the nature of redemption. It is a poem that deserves to be read and studied by anyone interested in the complex interplay between faith, fear, and the human struggle for meaning and purpose.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sylvia Plath's "Dialogue Between Ghost And Priest" is a haunting and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of death, religion, and the afterlife. The poem is written in the form of a conversation between a ghost and a priest, with the ghost questioning the priest about the nature of death and the existence of an afterlife.
The poem begins with the ghost asking the priest, "What happens when we die?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the ghost seeks answers to the mysteries of death and the afterlife. The priest responds by saying that death is a natural part of life, and that the soul goes to heaven or hell depending on its deeds in life.
However, the ghost is not satisfied with this answer, and continues to question the priest about the nature of heaven and hell. The ghost asks, "What is heaven like?" and the priest responds by describing it as a place of eternal happiness and peace. The ghost then asks, "And what is hell like?" and the priest responds by describing it as a place of eternal suffering and torment.
The conversation between the ghost and the priest continues, with the ghost questioning the priest about the nature of God and the purpose of life. The ghost asks, "Why did God create us?" and the priest responds by saying that God created us to love and serve Him. The ghost then asks, "But why do we have to suffer?" and the priest responds by saying that suffering is a part of life, and that it is through suffering that we can grow closer to God.
Throughout the poem, Plath uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the themes of death and the afterlife. For example, she describes heaven as a "golden city" and hell as a "lake of fire." These images help to create a sense of the otherworldly and the supernatural, and add to the overall eerie atmosphere of the poem.
One of the most striking aspects of "Dialogue Between Ghost And Priest" is the way in which Plath explores the relationship between religion and death. The poem can be seen as a critique of traditional religious beliefs, as the ghost questions the priest's teachings and seeks answers that go beyond the dogma of organized religion.
At the same time, however, the poem also suggests that there is something comforting about the idea of an afterlife. The ghost is clearly searching for some kind of meaning or purpose in death, and the priest's teachings provide a sense of hope and reassurance.
Overall, "Dialogue Between Ghost And Priest" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most fundamental questions of human existence. Through its vivid imagery and haunting atmosphere, the poem invites readers to contemplate the mysteries of death and the afterlife, and to consider the role that religion plays in our understanding of these concepts.
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