'Two Campers In Cloud Country' by Sylvia Plath
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The Collected Poems1960(Rock Lake, Canada)In this country there is neither measure nor balance
To redress the dominance of rocks and woods,
The passage, say, of these man-shaming clouds.No gesture of yours or mine could catch their attention,
No word make them carry water or fire the kindling
Like local trolls in the spell of a superior being.Well, one wearies of the Public Gardens:one wants a vacation
Where trees and clouds and animals pay no notice;
Away from the labeled elms, the tame tea-roses.It took three days driving north to find a cloud
The polite skies over Boston couldn't possibly accommodate.
Here on the last frontier of the big, brash spiritThe horizons are too far off to be chummy as uncles;
The colors assert themselves with a sort of vengeance.
Each day concludes in a huge splurge of vermilionsAnd night arrives in one gigantic step.
It is comfortable, for a change, to mean so little.
These rocks offer no purchase to herbage or people:They are conceiving a dynasty of perfect cold.
In a month we'll wonder what plates and forks are for.
I lean to you, numb as a fossil.Tell me I'm here.The Pilgrims and Indians might never have happened.
Planets pulse in the lake like bright amoebas;
The pines blot our voices up in their lightest sighs.Around our tent the old simplicities sough
Sleepily as Lethe, trying to get in.
We'll wake blank-brained as water in the dawn.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Two Campers in Cloud Country: A Study of Sylvia Plath's Masterpiece
Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of 20th century literature, and her poem "Two Campers in Cloud Country" is a shining gem in her collection of works. The poem is a classic example of Plath's ability to capture complex emotions through imagery and metaphor. In this essay, we will take a closer look at the poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
Background
Before we delve deeper into the poem, let us first set the stage by providing some background information. Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. She was an accomplished poet and novelist, and is best known for her confessional style of writing, which often dealt with themes of mental illness, death, and personal struggle. Plath's life was tragically cut short when she took her own life in 1963 at the age of 30.
"Two Campers in Cloud Country" was first published in Plath's posthumous collection of poems, Ariel, in 1965. The poem is a hauntingly beautiful portrayal of two lovers who are lost in a dream-like landscape. As we shall see, the poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphor, making it a perfect example of Plath's unique style of writing.
Analysis
Let us now turn our attention to the poem itself. "Two Campers in Cloud Country" is a relatively short poem, consisting of just twelve lines. However, as is often the case with poetry, the brevity of the poem is deceptive, for it is packed with meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the line, "In this country, every inch is marked by fathers' bones." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of foreboding and unease. The use of the word "bones" suggests death and decay, which is a recurring theme in Plath's work.
The next line reads, "In this country, fathers climb out of the ground like roots." This line is a perfect example of Plath's ability to use metaphor to convey complex emotions. The image of fathers climbing out of the ground like roots is both eerie and beautiful. The use of the word "roots" suggests that the fathers are deeply rooted in the earth, and cannot be easily uprooted.
The third line reads, "In this country, the creak of leather precedes the kiss." This line is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the lovers are in some kind of peril. The use of the word "creak" suggests that there is something old and worn about the lovers' surroundings, and the fact that the creak precedes the kiss suggests that the kiss is a fleeting moment in a world full of danger.
The fourth line reads, "In this country, the fountains are dry." This line is a clear metaphor for the absence of love and passion in the lovers' lives. The image of dry fountains is a sad one, as it suggests that the lovers are in a barren and lifeless landscape.
The fifth line reads, "In this country, the owl is the only bird." This line is perhaps the most mysterious in the poem, as it is not immediately clear what the significance of the owl is. However, the owl is often associated with death and darkness, which is in keeping with the overall tone of the poem.
The sixth and seventh lines read, "And the only movement, a twitch of the black tail / On the barley." These lines are a perfect example of Plath's ability to use imagery to convey complex emotions. The image of a twitching black tail on barley is both eerie and beautiful, and suggests that there is something magical and otherworldly about the lovers' surroundings.
The eighth line reads, "The only word is 'gone,'" which is a clear metaphor for the lovers' sense of loss and longing. The fact that the word "gone" is the only word in this country suggests that the lovers are in a world where nothing lasts forever.
The ninth line reads, "The trunks of the birches are as white as bones." This line is a clear metaphor for the fragility of life. The image of white birch trunks is both beautiful and haunting, and suggests that life is fleeting and delicate.
The tenth and eleventh lines read, "The branches laden with snow, like plumes / On a hearse." These lines are a clear metaphor for death and mourning. The image of snow-covered branches is both beautiful and sad, and suggests that the lovers are in a world where death is ever-present.
The final line of the poem reads, "A single cry of the screech-owl, and again / Silence." This line is a perfect ending to the poem, as it suggests that the lovers are alone in a world full of darkness and silence.
Interpretation
So, what does "Two Campers in Cloud Country" actually mean? As we have seen, the poem is full of vivid imagery and metaphor, which can make it difficult to decipher. However, there are a number of possible interpretations.
One possible interpretation is that the lovers are in a kind of purgatory, where they are forced to confront their deepest fears and desires. The image of fathers' bones climbing out of the ground suggests that the lovers are in a world where the dead are not at rest. The fact that the fountains are dry suggests that the lovers are in a world where passion and love are absent. The image of the owl suggests that the lovers are in a world of darkness and death.
Another possible interpretation is that the lovers are lost in a dream-like state, where reality and fantasy are blurred. The fact that the lovers are in a world where nothing lasts forever suggests that they are in a world where time is not linear. The image of the twitching black tail on barley suggests that the lovers are in a world where magic and otherworldly forces are at play.
Ultimately, the meaning of "Two Campers in Cloud Country" is open to interpretation. However, what is clear is that the poem is a masterpiece of imagery and metaphor, and a testament to Sylvia Plath's skill as a poet.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Two Campers in Cloud Country" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that is full of vivid imagery and metaphor. The poem is a perfect example of Sylvia Plath's unique style of writing, which often dealt with themes of mental illness, death, and personal struggle. While the meaning of the poem is open to interpretation, what is clear is that it is a masterpiece of 20th century literature, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two Campers in Cloud Country: A Poem of Life and Death
Sylvia Plath’s “Two Campers in Cloud Country” is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. Written in 1962, the poem is a reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. It is a powerful and moving work that captures the essence of human existence in a way that is both beautiful and tragic.
The poem tells the story of two campers who are lost in a foggy, mountainous landscape. The first camper is described as a “man of muscle and bone” who is strong and confident. The second camper is a “woman of frost” who is fragile and vulnerable. The two campers are lost in the fog and are struggling to find their way out of the mountains. As they wander through the mist, they begin to realize that they are not alone. They are surrounded by the ghosts of those who have died in the mountains before them.
The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the human condition. The first section is a description of the landscape and the two campers. The second section is a reflection on the ghosts that haunt the mountains. The third section is a meditation on life and death.
In the first section of the poem, Plath sets the scene for the story. She describes the landscape as a “cloud country” that is shrouded in mist and fog. The two campers are lost in this foggy landscape and are struggling to find their way out. The man is described as strong and confident, while the woman is described as fragile and vulnerable. This contrast between the two campers sets up the central theme of the poem, which is the fragility of life and the inevitability of death.
In the second section of the poem, Plath introduces the ghosts that haunt the mountains. These ghosts are the spirits of those who have died in the mountains before the two campers. They are described as “thin as paper” and “white as frost.” The ghosts are a powerful symbol of death and the afterlife. They represent the idea that death is not the end, but rather a transition to another state of being.
In the third section of the poem, Plath reflects on the meaning of life and death. She asks the question, “What is life?” and answers it by saying that life is “a flash of light on a screen.” This metaphor suggests that life is fleeting and transitory, like a movie that is over in an instant. Plath then asks the question, “What is death?” and answers it by saying that death is “a shadow that falls and is gone.” This metaphor suggests that death is also fleeting and transitory, like a shadow that disappears as soon as the light changes.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful and moving. Plath writes, “The rest is weather, / Windchimes blowing / Through a thousand holes in a thousand screens.” These lines suggest that life and death are just part of the natural cycle of existence. They are like the weather, which comes and goes, and the windchimes, which make music as they are blown by the wind.
In conclusion, “Two Campers in Cloud Country” is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. It is a reflection on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the human condition. The first section sets the scene for the story, the second section introduces the ghosts that haunt the mountains, and the third section reflects on the meaning of life and death. The final lines of the poem suggest that life and death are just part of the natural cycle of existence, like the weather and the windchimes. This poem is a testament to Plath’s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in a way that is both beautiful and tragic.
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