'The Applicant' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1962First, are you our sort of a person?
Do you wear
A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch,
A brace or a hook,
Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch,Stitches to show something's missing? No, no? Then
How can we give you a thing?
Stop crying.
Open your hand.
Empty? Empty. Here is a handTo fill it and willing
To bring teacups and roll away headaches
And do whatever you tell it.
Will you marry it?
It is guaranteedTo thumb shut your eyes at the end
And dissolve of sorrow.
We make new stock from the salt.
I notice you are stark naked.
How about this suit----Black and stiff, but not a bad fit.
Will you marry it?
It is waterproof, shatterproof, proof
Against fire and bombs through the roof.
Believe me, they'll bury you in it.Now your head, excuse me, is empty.
I have the ticket for that.
Come here, sweetie, out of the closet.
Well, what do you think of that ?
Naked as paper to startBut in twenty-five years she'll be silver,
In fifty, gold.
A living doll, everywhere you look.
It can sew, it can cook,
It can talk, talk , talk.It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it's a poultice.
You have an eye, it's an image.
My boy, it's your last resort.
Will you marry it, marry it, marry it.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Applicant" by Sylvia Plath

Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy! "The Applicant" by Sylvia Plath is one of those poems that just hits you in the gut. There's something so raw and powerful about the way she uses language to explore themes of gender, power, and the human condition. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we're going to delve deep into the heart of this masterpiece and uncover all of its secrets.

First, let's talk about the form of the poem. "The Applicant" is written in nine stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is AABBCC, which gives the poem a certain sing-song quality that belies its dark subject matter. The poem is also written in a very structured and controlled way, with each stanza following a similar pattern of questions and answers. This structure adds to the sense of unease and tension that permeates the poem.

Now, let's talk about the content of the poem. "The Applicant" is a scathing critique of the gender roles and power dynamics that exist in society. It begins with an advertisement for a "male" and a "female" role, which are described in very specific and dehumanizing terms. The male role is described as "handy with a tool" and "able to eat dirt," while the female role is described as "dressed like a nun" and "able to bear children." These descriptions reduce human beings to mere functions and highlight the absurdity of gender roles and expectations.

As the poem continues, the speaker takes on the role of the interviewer and begins to ask a series of questions to a potential male applicant. These questions are designed to strip away any sense of individuality or agency from the applicant and to mold him into the ideal male candidate. The applicant is asked if he is "married or not," if he has "a car or not," and if he is "manly or not." These questions reveal the underlying misogyny and homophobia that exists in our society, as well as the pressure placed on men to conform to a certain ideal of masculinity.

The poem then takes a sharp turn as the speaker addresses the female applicant. The questions asked of the female applicant are even more dehumanizing than those asked of the male applicant. She is asked if she is "willing to be beautiful" and if she is "willing to learn how to cook." These questions reduce women to nothing more than objects of beauty and servants to the male-dominated household.

Throughout the poem, Plath uses language in a very deliberate and powerful way. She uses repetition and wordplay to create a sense of unease and to highlight the absurdity of the gender roles and power dynamics being presented. For example, the phrase "A living doll, everywhere you look" is repeated multiple times throughout the poem, emphasizing the objectification of women in society. Plath also uses puns and wordplay to subvert the expectations of the reader, as in the line "A woman with a busy love and a swerving heart."

One of the most powerful aspects of "The Applicant" is the way in which it exposes the violence and brutality that exists in our society. The poem is filled with images of blood, destruction, and death. The male applicant is told that he will be "put through his paces" and that he will be given "tests" to prove his worth. The female applicant is told that she will be "put on display" and that she will be "examined." These images create a sense of unease and highlight the ways in which our society places unrealistic and often violent expectations on individuals.

Finally, let's talk about the message of the poem. "The Applicant" is a powerful critique of the gender roles and power dynamics that exist in our society. Plath is calling for a complete overhaul of the way we think about gender and power, and she is urging us to recognize the damaging effects of our current system. The poem is a call to arms, a rallying cry for anyone who has ever felt trapped by societal expectations or who has been reduced to nothing more than a function or a role.

In conclusion, "The Applicant" is a masterful work of poetry that explores themes of gender, power, and the human condition. Its use of language and structure is powerful and deliberate, creating a sense of unease and tension that underscores the poem's message. Plath's critique of our society's gender roles and power dynamics is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written, and her call for change is a powerful reminder that we all have a role to play in creating a more just and equitable world.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the commodification of human relationships. The poem is written in a unique and unconventional style, with a series of questions and answers that create a dialogue between the speaker and the applicant. Through this dialogue, Plath exposes the absurdity and emptiness of the traditional gender roles and the capitalist system that values people only for their usefulness.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the applicant, who is presumably a woman seeking a job or a husband. The speaker asks a series of questions, such as "First, are you our sort of a person?" and "Do you wear / A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch?" These questions are not meant to assess the applicant's qualifications or skills, but rather to determine if she fits into the narrow and restrictive mold of what society deems acceptable for a woman.

The speaker then goes on to describe the benefits of being an applicant, such as "a salary position" and "a fur coat." These benefits are presented as if they are the ultimate goals in life, and the applicant is expected to be grateful for the opportunity to attain them. However, the speaker also warns the applicant that she must be willing to sacrifice her individuality and conform to the expectations of the employer or husband.

The poem then takes a dark turn, as the speaker describes the applicant's potential fate if she fails to meet the expectations of the employer or husband. The speaker says, "You will die before your time / Unless you learn to stand on your head / And juggle knives." This image is a metaphor for the pressure and stress that women face in trying to meet the impossible standards set by society. The applicant is expected to be a perfect wife, mother, and employee, all while maintaining her beauty and youth. The consequences of failing to meet these standards are dire, as women are often punished for their perceived failures.

Plath's use of language in The Applicant is both playful and sinister. The questions and answers create a sense of absurdity and humor, but the underlying message is one of oppression and control. The poem is a commentary on the commodification of human relationships, where people are valued only for their usefulness and ability to conform to societal expectations. The applicant is not seen as a person with her own desires and needs, but rather as a product to be bought and sold.

The poem also explores the theme of gender roles and the expectations placed on women. The applicant is expected to be beautiful, obedient, and submissive, while the employer or husband is expected to be powerful and dominant. These gender roles are presented as rigid and unchanging, with no room for individuality or deviation. The poem exposes the absurdity of these roles and the harm they cause to both men and women.

In conclusion, The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the commodification of human relationships. The poem is written in a unique and unconventional style, with a series of questions and answers that create a dialogue between the speaker and the applicant. Through this dialogue, Plath exposes the absurdity and emptiness of the traditional gender roles and the capitalist system that values people only for their usefulness. The poem is a commentary on the pressures and expectations that women face in trying to meet the impossible standards set by society, and the harm that these expectations cause to both men and women. The Applicant is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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