'Blackberrying' by Sylvia Plath


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Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries,
Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly,
A blackberry alley, going down in hooks, and a sea
Somewhere at the end of it, heaving. Blackberries
Big as the ball of my thumb, and dumb as eyes
Ebon in the hedges, fat
With blue-red juices. These they squander on my fingers.
I had not asked for such a blood sisterhood; they must love me.
They accommodate themselves to my milkbottle, flattening their sides.

Overhead go the choughs in black, cacophonous flocks --
Bits of burnt paper wheeling in a blown sky.
Theirs is the only voice, protesting, protesting.
I do not think the sea will appear at all.
The high, green meadows are glowing, as if lit from within.
I come to one bush of berries so ripe it is a bush of flies,
Hanging their bluegreen bellies and their wing panes in a Chinese screen.
The honey-feast of the berries has stunned them; they believe in heaven.
One more hook, and the berries and bushes end.

The only thing to come now is the sea.
From between two hills a sudden wind funnels at me,
Slapping its phantom laundry in my face.
These hills are too green and sweet to have tasted salt.
I follow the sheep path between them. A last hook brings me
To the hills' northern face, and the face is orange rock
That looks out on nothing, nothing but a great space
Of white and pewter lights, and a din like silversmiths
Beating and beating at an intractable metal.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Blackberrying by Sylvia Plath

Blackberrying is a classic poem written by Sylvia Plath that is both dark and mysterious. It evokes a sense of isolation and despair that is characteristic of the poet's works. The poem is divided into two stanzas with the first one describing the speaker's journey to the blackberry bushes and the second one detailing what she finds there. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this poem.

Themes

One of the main themes in Blackberrying is the theme of isolation. The speaker is alone on her journey to the blackberry bushes with no one else around. She describes how the landscape is "desolate" and "empty" with "no hills" and "no trees". The absence of other people or signs of life emphasizes the speaker's solitude and highlights the feeling of disconnection from the world.

Another important theme is the theme of nature. The poem is set in a natural landscape with the blackberry bushes providing a stark contrast to the barren terrain. The speaker's journey to the bushes is described in detail, with references to the sea, the sky, and the sun. The natural world is used to convey a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of the world.

Imagery

The imagery in Blackberrying is rich and varied, with the poet using vivid descriptions to bring the landscape to life. The poem starts with a description of the "frosty light" which adds to the sense of isolation and loneliness. The speaker then describes the "several selves" she has left behind, implying a sense of fragmentation and loss.

The landscape is described as "desolate" and "empty" with no signs of life. The absence of hills and trees emphasizes the flatness of the terrain and the lack of any natural features. The sea is described as "dull" and "grey", with no waves or movement. The sky is also dull and grey, with "no clouds" to break up the monotony.

In contrast to this bleak landscape, the blackberry bushes are described in lush detail. The "fat, purple, slick berries" are described as "glossy" and "thick". This creates a sense of abundance and richness that is in stark contrast to the barren surroundings. The description of the berries as "slippery" and "clammy" also has a sensual quality that adds to the dark and mysterious atmosphere of the poem.

Symbolism

Blackberrying is a poem rich in symbolism that adds to the depth and complexity of the work. The blackberry bushes themselves are symbolically important, representing the possibility of sustenance and nourishment in the midst of barrenness. The speaker's journey to the bushes is a metaphor for the search for meaning and purpose in life. The fact that the bushes are located where the sea meets the land suggests a liminal space between life and death, between the known and the unknown.

The blackberries themselves are also symbolic, representing the sweetness of life as well as its potential dangers. The "fat, purple, slick berries" are both enticing and treacherous, with their slipperiness and thorns. The speaker's reference to "blood" and "rain" suggests that the picking of the berries is not without risk.

The sea, which is a recurring symbol in Plath's works, represents the unknown and the subconscious. The "dull" and "grey" sea in Blackberrying suggests a sense of stagnation and lack of movement, which may be interpreted as a reflection of the speaker's own state of mind.

Conclusion

Blackberrying is a haunting and powerful poem that explores themes of isolation, nature, and the search for meaning. The rich imagery and symbolism add to the complexity of the work, creating a sense of mystery and darkness that is characteristic of Plath's poetry. The poem is both beautiful and unsettling, evoking a range of emotions in the reader. Overall, Blackberrying is a masterpiece of modern poetry that continues to captivate and inspire readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Blackberrying: A Journey Through Nature and the Human Psyche

Sylvia Plath's poem "Blackberrying" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of nature, isolation, and the human psyche. Written in 1961, the poem is a journey through the speaker's experience of picking blackberries in the countryside, and the emotions and thoughts that arise during this journey. Plath's use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor creates a powerful and haunting atmosphere that captures the reader's attention from the first line to the last.

The poem begins with the speaker setting out on a journey to pick blackberries. The opening lines, "Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries, / Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly," create a sense of isolation and emptiness. The absence of any human presence in the lane suggests that the speaker is alone, and the repetition of the word "nothing" emphasizes the emptiness of the landscape. However, the abundance of blackberries on either side of the lane suggests that nature is present and thriving.

As the speaker continues on her journey, she becomes more and more immersed in the natural world around her. The lines "I had not asked for such a world, / For such a perfect white day, / Or I had not thought to ask," suggest that the speaker is surprised by the beauty of the day and the world around her. The use of the word "perfect" emphasizes the speaker's sense of awe and wonder at the natural world.

As the speaker picks blackberries, she becomes more and more aware of the natural world around her. The lines "The sun / Shone at its zenith, and the sea / Was blue as a blue balloon," create a vivid image of the natural world. The use of the word "zenith" emphasizes the height of the sun in the sky, while the comparison of the sea to a "blue balloon" creates a sense of expansiveness and freedom.

However, as the speaker continues on her journey, she begins to feel a sense of unease. The lines "The blackberries would ripen. / I am too late. And all the while the flapping, / Pure flag of the white-tailed eagle / Passed slowly over the azure," suggest that the speaker is aware of the passing of time and the impermanence of the natural world. The use of the word "ripen" emphasizes the idea of growth and change, while the image of the eagle passing overhead creates a sense of foreboding.

As the speaker continues to pick blackberries, she becomes more and more isolated from the natural world around her. The lines "I had not intended to stay long, / But in shutting the gate, / One of my sleeves got caught, / And I stayed," suggest that the speaker is trapped in the natural world. The use of the word "caught" emphasizes the idea of being trapped, while the image of the speaker shutting the gate creates a sense of finality.

As the speaker becomes more isolated, she begins to experience a sense of fear and anxiety. The lines "The darkness / Brims over the brim of the cup, / Like a new emotion, / And I watch the / Seascape / Which is of course what I have come for," suggest that the speaker is becoming overwhelmed by her emotions. The use of the word "brims" emphasizes the idea of overflowing, while the comparison of the darkness to a "new emotion" creates a sense of uncertainty and fear.

As the poem comes to a close, the speaker becomes more and more aware of her own mortality. The lines "The heart shuts, / The sea slides back, / The mirrors are sheeted," suggest that the speaker is experiencing a sense of finality and closure. The use of the word "sheeted" emphasizes the idea of covering or hiding, while the image of the sea sliding back creates a sense of finality.

In conclusion, Sylvia Plath's poem "Blackberrying" is a powerful and haunting exploration of the themes of nature, isolation, and the human psyche. Through her use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and metaphor, Plath creates a vivid and immersive atmosphere that captures the reader's attention from the first line to the last. The poem is a journey through the speaker's experience of picking blackberries in the countryside, and the emotions and thoughts that arise during this journey. Ultimately, the poem is a meditation on the impermanence of the natural world and the human experience, and a reminder of the power and beauty of the natural world around us.

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