'The Rival' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1961If the moon smiled, she would resemble you.
You leave the same impression
Of something beautiful, but annihilating.
Both of you are great light borrowers.
Her O-mouth grieves at the world; yours is unaffected,And your first gift is making stone out of everything.
I wake to a mausoleum; you are here,
Ticking your fingers on the marble table, looking for cigarettes,
Spiteful as a woman, but not so nervous,
And dying to say something unanswerable.The moon, too, abuses her subjects,
But in the daytime she is ridiculous.
Your dissatisfactions, on the other hand,
Arrive through the mailslot with loving regularity,
White and blank, expansive as carbon monoxide.No day is safe from news of you,
Walking about in Africa maybe, but thinking of me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sylvia Plath's "The Rival": An Intense Exploration of Jealousy and Self-Destruction

Sylvia Plath is widely regarded as one of the most talented and influential poets of the 20th century, and her work continues to captivate readers and critics alike. One of her most powerful and haunting poems is "The Rival," a complex and emotionally charged exploration of jealousy, self-destruction, and the destructive power of love. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning in this extraordinary poem, and examine how Plath uses language, imagery, and symbolism to convey her powerful message.

Understanding the Poem's Structure and Themes

At its core, "The Rival" is a deeply personal and introspective poem that explores the complex emotions and psychological struggles of the speaker, who is consumed with jealousy and self-doubt. The poem is structured around a series of five stanzas, each of which presents a different aspect of the speaker's struggle with jealousy and the pain of seeing another person receive the love and affection that she desires.

The first stanza sets the stage for the poem, as the speaker describes the "perfect" rival who has stolen the affections of her lover. The imagery in this stanza is vivid and intense, as the speaker describes the rival's "white face" and "infinite hair," which symbolize her beauty and purity. The use of the word "perfect" emphasizes the speaker's sense of inadequacy and inferiority, as she feels that she cannot compete with this idealized image of femininity.

In the second stanza, the speaker begins to explore the psychological impact of her jealousy, as she describes how her mind is consumed with thoughts of the rival. The use of the word "haunted" suggests that the speaker is unable to escape these obsessive thoughts, and the repetition of the phrase "I cannot" emphasizes her sense of powerlessness and despair.

The third stanza shifts the focus from the speaker's inner turmoil to the external world, as she describes the way that the rival is perceived by others. The use of the word "adored" emphasizes the rival's popularity and desirability, and the description of her as a "queen bee" suggests that she is in control of the social hierarchy. The speaker's use of the word "ugly" to describe herself highlights her own feelings of inadequacy and self-loathing.

In the fourth stanza, the speaker returns to her own thoughts and feelings, as she describes the physical and emotional pain that she experiences as a result of her jealousy. The use of the word "wounded" emphasizes the speaker's sense of vulnerability and powerlessness, while the reference to "pain of combat" suggests that she sees herself in a struggle with the rival for the affections of their shared lover.

Finally, in the fifth stanza, the poem reaches its climax, as the speaker confronts the harsh reality of her situation. The use of the phrase "I am the arrow" suggests that the speaker is both the weapon and the victim in this situation, as she is consumed with jealousy and self-destruction. The final lines of the poem, "the dew that flies / Suicidal, at one with the drive / Into the red / Eye, the cauldron of morning" suggest that the speaker is both drawn to and repulsed by the destructive power of her jealousy.

Analyzing the Poem's Language and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "The Rival" is its use of vivid and evocative language and imagery to convey the speaker's psychological state. Throughout the poem, Plath uses powerful and often startling images to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the depth of her psychological struggle.

For example, in the first stanza, the use of the phrase "white face" to describe the rival suggests her purity and beauty, while the description of her hair as "infinite" emphasizes her otherworldly perfection. Similarly, in the second stanza, the use of the word "haunted" to describe the speaker's thoughts suggests that she is unable to escape from her own inner turmoil.

In the third stanza, Plath uses a powerful metaphor to describe the rival as a "queen bee" who controls the social hierarchy. This image not only emphasizes the rival's desirability and popularity, but also suggests that she is in control of the speaker's own fate. The use of the word "ugly" to describe the speaker's own appearance is particularly striking, as it suggests that she is consumed with self-loathing and unable to see her own worth.

In the fourth stanza, Plath uses powerful and often violent images to convey the physical and emotional pain that the speaker experiences as a result of her jealousy. The use of the word "wounded" suggests that the speaker is vulnerable and in pain, while the reference to "the pain of combat" suggests that she sees herself in a struggle with the rival for the affections of their shared lover.

Finally, in the fifth stanza, Plath uses a series of images to convey the speaker's sense of self-destruction and the destructive power of her jealousy. The use of the phrase "I am the arrow" suggests that the speaker is both the weapon and the victim in this situation, while the final lines of the poem suggest that she is drawn to and repulsed by the destructive power of her own emotions.

Interpreting the Poem's Meaning and Message

As with much of Sylvia Plath's work, "The Rival" is a deeply personal and intensely emotional poem that reflects the author's own psychological struggles and emotional pain. However, the poem also has a broader message about the destructive power of jealousy and the ways in which it can consume and destroy those who experience it.

At its core, "The Rival" is a warning about the dangers of envy and the ways in which it can lead to self-destruction. By portraying the speaker as consumed with jealousy and self-doubt, Plath emphasizes the importance of self-acceptance and the dangers of comparing oneself to others. The poem suggests that the only way to overcome jealousy and self-doubt is to accept oneself for who one is, rather than trying to compete with an idealized image of femininity or masculine worth.

Furthermore, the poem can be seen as a warning about the destructive power of love, and the ways in which it can lead to self-destruction and emotional pain. By portraying the rival as an idealized and otherworldly figure, Plath emphasizes the ways in which love can be both intoxicating and destructive. The poem suggests that the only way to avoid the destructive power of love is to learn to love oneself, rather than seeking validation or affirmation from others.

Conclusion

"The Rival" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the complex emotions and psychological struggles of the speaker, who is consumed with jealousy and self-doubt. Through its vivid language and imagery, the poem conveys the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the depth of her psychological struggle. At the same time, the poem has a broader message about the destructive power of jealousy and the importance of self-acceptance and self-love. As such, "The Rival" remains a powerful and deeply resonant work of poetry, and a testament to Sylvia Plath's extraordinary talent and enduring influence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Rival: A Masterpiece of Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath, the American poet, novelist, and short-story writer, is known for her confessional and deeply personal poetry. Her works often deal with themes of death, mental illness, and the complexities of human relationships. One of her most celebrated poems, The Rival, is a haunting and powerful exploration of jealousy and the fear of losing a loved one.

The Rival was written in 1956, when Plath was only 23 years old. It was published posthumously in her collection of poems, Ariel, which was released in 1965, two years after her death. The poem is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that consists of fourteen lines and a strict rhyme scheme. However, Plath's sonnet is not a typical love poem. Instead, it is a dark and twisted portrayal of a woman's jealousy towards her husband's mistress.

The poem begins with the speaker describing her rival as a "red balloon" that "rides / High up in the sky." The use of the metaphor of a balloon is significant, as it suggests that the rival is light and airy, and that she is floating above the speaker, out of reach. The speaker then goes on to describe her own feelings of jealousy, saying that she is "green with envy" and that her "heart is aching." The use of the color green is also significant, as it is often associated with jealousy and envy.

The second quatrain of the sonnet is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes her rival's physical appearance in detail. She says that the rival has "a mouth like a cup / And a voice like a sea." The use of the metaphor of a cup suggests that the rival is able to contain and hold onto the speaker's husband, while the metaphor of the sea suggests that the rival's voice is powerful and all-encompassing. The speaker then goes on to say that the rival has "eyes like a Greek statue / So noble and so white." The use of the metaphor of a Greek statue suggests that the rival is perfect and unattainable, and that she is an idealized version of a woman.

The third quatrain of the sonnet is where the speaker's jealousy turns into anger and resentment. She says that she wishes she could "stab" the rival with a "knife," and that she wants to "smash" her "across the face." The use of violent imagery is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is consumed by her jealousy and is willing to resort to extreme measures to get rid of her rival. The speaker then goes on to say that she wants to "watch her wriggle" and "hear her cry." The use of the verbs "wriggle" and "cry" suggests that the speaker wants to see the rival suffer and be in pain.

The final couplet of the sonnet is particularly powerful, as it reveals the speaker's fear of losing her husband to the rival. She says that she is "afraid" that her husband will "prefer" the rival, and that she will be left alone. The use of the word "prefer" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker sees herself as inferior to the rival, and that she believes that her husband will choose the rival over her. The final line of the sonnet, "So I lie, jealous, and die," is a powerful and haunting conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the speaker's jealousy is so consuming that it is killing her, both emotionally and physically.

The Rival is a masterpiece of Sylvia Plath's poetry. It is a deeply personal and confessional poem that explores the complexities of human relationships and the destructive power of jealousy. The use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a haunting and unforgettable portrait of a woman consumed by her jealousy and fear of losing her husband. The poem is a testament to Plath's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the raw emotions of the human experience.

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