'Tale Of A Tub' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1956The photographic chamber of the eye
records bare painted walls, while an electric light
lays the chromium nerves of plumbing raw;
such poverty assaults the ego; caught
naked in the merely actual room,
the stranger in the lavatory mirror
puts on a public grin, repeats our name
but scrupulously reflects the usual terror.Just how guilty are we when the ceiling
reveals no cracks that can be decoded? when washbowl
maintains it has no more holy calling
than physical ablution, and the towel
dryly disclaims that fierce troll faces lurk
in its explicit folds? or when the window,
blind with steam, will not admit the dark
which shrouds our prospects in ambiguous shadow?Twenty years ago, the familiar tub
bred an ample batch of omens; but now
water faucets spawn no danger; each crab
and octopus -- scrabbling just beyond the view,
waiting for some accidental break
in ritual, to strike -- is definitely gone;
the authentic sea denies them and will pluck
fantastic flesh down to the honest bone.We take the plunge; under water our limbs
waver, faintly green, shuddering away
from the genuine color of skin; can our dreams
ever blur the intransigent lines which draw
the shape that shuts us in? absolute fact
intrudes even when the revolted eye
is closed; the tub exists behind our back;
its glittering surfaces are blank and true.Yet always the ridiculous nude flanks urge
the fabrication of some cloth to cover
such starkness; accuracy must not stalk at large:
each day demands we create our whole world over,
disguising the constant horror in a coat
of many-colored fictions; we mask our past
in the green of Eden, pretend future's shining fruit
can sprout from the navel of this present waste.
In this particular tub, two knees jut up
like icebergs, while minute brown hairs rise
on arms and legs in a fringe of kelp; green soap
navigates the tidal slosh of seas
breaking on legendary beaches; in faith
we shall board our imagined ship and wildly sail
among sacred islands of the mad till death
shatters the fabulous stars and makes us real.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Tale of a Tub by Sylvia Plath: A Psychoanalytic Interpretation

As a literary work, The Tale of a Tub is both enigmatic and deeply personal. Written by Sylvia Plath during a tumultuous period in her life, the poem is a cryptic exploration of the author's psyche, filled with vivid images and haunting imagery. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the rich symbolism and themes present in The Tale of a Tub, and attempt to unravel the complex web of emotions and experiences that inspired this work of art.

Biography of Sylvia Plath

Before we dive into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, and short-story writer who is best known for her confessional poetry. Born in 1932 in Boston, Massachusetts, Plath showed an early aptitude for writing and went on to study at Smith College, where she excelled in her studies and won several awards for her poetry. After graduating, she moved to England to attend Cambridge University, where she met and married the poet Ted Hughes.

Despite her many successes, Plath struggled with depression and mental illness for much of her life. In 1963, at the age of 30, she took her own life by putting her head in a gas oven. In the years since her death, Plath's work has continued to be widely studied and admired, and she is considered one of the most important and influential poets of the 20th century.

Synopsis of The Tale of a Tub

The Tale of a Tub is a lengthy poem that is divided into three sections, or "tubs," each of which tells a different story. The first tub tells the story of a man who is born in a bathtub and spends his entire life there, never venturing out into the world beyond. The second tub is a retelling of the classic myth of the Minotaur, with Plath's own unique spin on the tale. The third and final tub is a fragmented narrative that includes numerous allusions to other literary works, as well as references to Plath's own life.

Throughout the poem, Plath employs a range of literary devices, including metaphor, simile, and allusion, to create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both eerie and compelling. The symbolism and imagery in the poem are highly layered and complex, and it can be difficult to unravel the full meaning of the text.

Analysis of The Tale of a Tub

To fully appreciate the richness and complexity of The Tale of a Tub, it is necessary to explore the themes and symbolism present in the text. In the following sections, we will examine some of the most important symbols and themes in the poem, and attempt to interpret their meaning.

The Bathtub

The bathtub that is present in each of the three tubs in the poem is a powerful symbol that represents the womb, or the place of origin. In the first tub, the man who is born in the bathtub represents the speaker herself, who is trapped in a cycle of self-absorption and unable to break free from her own thoughts and emotions. The bathtub becomes a metaphor for the speaker's own mind, which is both her place of refuge and her prison.

The Minotaur

The Minotaur is a classic mythological creature that represents both the beastly and the human sides of human nature. In Plath's retelling of the myth, the Minotaur is a symbol of the speaker's own internal conflicts and contradictions. The creature is trapped in a labyrinth, which represents the speaker's own psyche, and can only be defeated by a hero who is willing to face his own fears and confront the darkness within himself.

Fragmentation

One of the most striking features of The Tale of a Tub is its fragmented structure. The poem is composed of a series of disjointed images and scenes, and the narrative is often difficult to follow. This fragmentation is a deliberate technique that Plath uses to mirror the fragmented state of the speaker's own mind. The text is a reflection of the speaker's own attempts to piece together the broken fragments of her psyche, and to make sense of the conflicting emotions and experiences that she has endured.

Suicide

Perhaps the most haunting and disturbing theme in The Tale of a Tub is the pervasive sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades the text. The poem is filled with references to death and suicide, and the speaker seems to be trapped in a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. Plath's own struggles with mental illness and her eventual suicide lend an added poignancy to the text, and make it all the more difficult to read.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Tale of a Tub is a powerful and deeply personal work that offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the most important poets of the 20th century. Through its complex symbolism and haunting imagery, the poem explores themes of self-absorption, internal conflict, and the struggle to make sense of a fractured world. While the text can be difficult to interpret, it offers a rich and rewarding experience for those who are willing to delve into its mysteries. For fans of Sylvia Plath, The Tale of a Tub is an essential work that offers a unique and intimate insight into the mind of this legendary writer.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Tale of a Tub is a classic poem written by Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. The poem is a complex and layered work that explores themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-expression. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover its deeper meanings and significance.

The poem is divided into three sections, each of which tells a different story. The first section is titled "The Tale of a Tub," and it tells the story of a man who is trying to find his way in the world. He is searching for his identity and his place in society, but he is constantly thwarted by the expectations and demands of others. The man is represented by a tub, which is a symbol of his vulnerability and his need for protection.

The second section of the poem is titled "Mushrooms," and it tells the story of a group of mushrooms that are growing in a field. The mushrooms are a symbol of the man's desire for power and control. They represent the way in which he tries to assert himself in the world, but ultimately fails.

The third and final section of the poem is titled "Crossing the Water," and it tells the story of the man's journey towards self-expression and freedom. He is represented by a boat, which is a symbol of his ability to navigate the world and to find his own way. The journey is difficult and fraught with danger, but the man is determined to succeed.

Throughout the poem, Plath uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most prominent of these is imagery. The use of imagery is particularly effective in the first section of the poem, where the tub is described in vivid detail. Plath uses words like "porcelain," "smooth," and "white" to create a sense of fragility and vulnerability. This imagery is reinforced by the description of the man's attempts to protect the tub from harm. He wraps it in blankets and carries it with him wherever he goes, but he is unable to protect it from the world's harsh realities.

In the second section of the poem, Plath uses the imagery of mushrooms to convey the man's desire for power and control. The mushrooms are described as "puffed up" and "swollen," which creates a sense of arrogance and self-importance. This imagery is reinforced by the description of the man's attempts to assert himself in the world. He tries to control the mushrooms, but he is ultimately unable to do so.

In the third section of the poem, Plath uses the imagery of water to convey the man's journey towards self-expression and freedom. The water is described as "dark" and "deep," which creates a sense of danger and uncertainty. This imagery is reinforced by the description of the man's journey. He faces many obstacles and challenges, but he is determined to succeed.

Another literary device that Plath uses in the poem is symbolism. The tub, mushrooms, and boat are all symbols that represent different aspects of the man's journey. The tub represents his vulnerability and need for protection, the mushrooms represent his desire for power and control, and the boat represents his ability to navigate the world and find his own way.

Plath also uses repetition in the poem to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "tale of a tub" is repeated throughout the first section of the poem, which creates a sense of continuity and reinforces the central theme of the man's search for identity. The phrase "crossing the water" is repeated throughout the third section of the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and reinforces the man's determination to succeed.

In conclusion, The Tale of a Tub is a complex and layered poem that explores themes of identity, power, and the struggle for self-expression. Plath uses a variety of literary devices, including imagery, symbolism, and repetition, to convey her message. The poem is a powerful and moving work that speaks to the human experience and the universal struggle to find one's place in the world.

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