'Strumpet Song' by Sylvia Plath
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The Collected Poems1956With white frost gone
And all green dreams not worth much,
After a lean day's work
Time comes round for that foul slut:
Mere bruit of her takes our street
Until every man,
Red, pale or dark,
Veers to her slouch.Mark, I cry, that mouth
Made to do violence on,
That seamed face
Askew with blotch, dint, scar
Struck by each dour year.
Walks there not some such one man
As can spare breath
To patch with brand of love this rank grimace
Which out from black tarn, ditch and cup
Into my most chaste own eyes
Looks up.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Strumpet Song by Sylvia Plath: A Poetic Journey into the Depths of Femininity
As I sit down to write about Sylvia Plath's "Strumpet Song," I am filled with excitement and awe at the beauty and complexity of this poem. Plath, a renowned poet and novelist, is known for her exploration of themes such as femininity, motherhood, and mental illness. "Strumpet Song" is no exception as it delves deep into the inner world of a woman and her struggle to find her place in a society that defines her worth based on her sexual appeal.
An Overview of the Poem
"Strumpet Song" is a six-stanza poem with each stanza consisting of ten lines. The poem has a regular rhyme scheme of ABABCCDEFE, with the last two lines of each stanza forming a couplet. The title of the poem, "Strumpet," refers to a female prostitute or promiscuous woman. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that the term is used ironically to critique the societal norms and expectations placed on women.
A Feminist Critique of Society
The poem opens with the speaker addressing the reader directly, "I am only a small / Black thing / Hands do not hesitate / To snatch me for a pawn." The speaker, a woman, refers to herself as a "small / Black thing," which can be interpreted as a representation of the societal oppression faced by women of color. The next line, "Hands do not hesitate / To snatch me for a pawn," highlights how women are objectified and used as a means to an end by men.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful in its critique of societal expectations placed on women. The speaker says, "I am the slave of the Phallus / Its dark shadow lies on me / All my deeds and words are of him." Here, the Phallus refers to the patriarchal society that defines a woman's worth based on her sexual appeal. The speaker laments how her actions and words are dictated by this societal expectation, reducing her to a mere object.
As the poem progresses, we see the speaker's resilience in the face of societal pressures. She says, "Yet I have a power / Of my own / Stretching beyond the phallus / A new music begins." The speaker recognizes that she has agency beyond the societal norms and expectations placed on her. She is not just a sexual object but a person with her own voice, her own music.
The Inner World of a Woman
"Strumpet Song" is not just a critique of society but also an exploration of the inner world of a woman. The speaker says, "I am a dark St. Joan / To burn amid the voices / That scream away my choices." Here, the speaker compares herself to St. Joan, a martyr who was burned at the stake. The speaker sees herself as a sacrifice, burning in the flames of societal expectations.
Throughout the poem, the speaker's voice is filled with pain, anger, and defiance. She says, "I am the boiling blood / That burst the thermometer / I am the stain that stayed / And the hatred that screamed forever." The speaker's boiling blood represents her intense emotions, which society has tried to suppress. However, she is also the stain that stayed, representing her resilience and strength in the face of oppression.
A Journey of Self-Discovery
As the poem comes to a close, we see the speaker on a journey of self-discovery. She says, "I am the woman who would not / Submit, who burned instead / Whose fierce rage refused to die / Even as the ashes choked me." The speaker's refusal to submit represents her rejection of societal norms and expectations placed on her. She is burning instead, representing her transformation and self-discovery.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful as the speaker declares, "I am the strumpet / Who knows her own power." Here, the speaker reclaims the term "strumpet" and uses it to empower herself. She recognizes her own power, which extends beyond the societal norms and expectations placed on her. She is no longer just a sexual object but a person with her own voice and identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Strumpet Song" is a powerful and complex poem that explores themes of femininity, societal oppression, and self-discovery. The speaker's voice is filled with pain, anger, and defiance as she critiques the societal norms and expectations placed on women. However, she also recognizes her own power and agency beyond these norms. Sylvia Plath's "Strumpet Song" is a journey into the depths of femininity and a call to reject societal expectations and embrace one's own power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Strumpet Song by Sylvia Plath is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its raw and powerful portrayal of the struggles of a poet. Plath, who is known for her confessional style of writing, uses this poem to explore the complex relationship between a poet and their work. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with the line, "I am the poetry strumpet, come and be my whore." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a bold and unapologetic declaration of the poet's passion for their craft. The use of the word "strumpet" is significant, as it is a derogatory term used to describe a promiscuous woman. Plath subverts this term by using it to describe herself as a poet, reclaiming the word and turning it into a symbol of power and liberation.
Throughout the poem, Plath uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey the intensity of the poet's relationship with their work. She describes the poet as "a madwoman in a garret," highlighting the isolation and intensity of the creative process. The image of the garret, a small attic room traditionally used by artists and writers, is a powerful symbol of the poet's dedication to their craft. It suggests that the poet is willing to sacrifice comfort and security in order to pursue their passion.
Plath also uses animal imagery to describe the poet's relationship with their work. She describes the poet as a "lioness in the tall grass," suggesting that the poet is a fierce and powerful force to be reckoned with. The use of the lioness as a symbol is significant, as it is a traditionally masculine symbol of strength and power. Plath subverts this symbol by using it to describe a female poet, challenging traditional gender roles and expectations.
The poem also explores the idea of the poet as a seducer, using language that is both sensual and provocative. Plath describes the poet as "a lover with a whip," suggesting that the poet is in control of their work and willing to take risks in order to create something powerful and meaningful. The use of the whip as a symbol is significant, as it suggests that the poet is willing to push boundaries and challenge conventions in order to create something truly original.
Throughout the poem, Plath also explores the idea of the poet as a martyr, willing to suffer for their art. She describes the poet as "a saint with a sword," suggesting that the poet is willing to fight for their beliefs and values. The use of the sword as a symbol is significant, as it suggests that the poet is willing to make sacrifices in order to create something meaningful and lasting.
The poem also explores the idea of the poet as a rebel, challenging authority and convention. Plath describes the poet as "a pirate on the high seas," suggesting that the poet is willing to take risks and break rules in order to create something truly original. The use of the pirate as a symbol is significant, as it suggests that the poet is willing to challenge the status quo and create something new and exciting.
In terms of language, Plath uses a range of techniques to create a powerful and evocative poem. She uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum, repeating phrases such as "I am the poetry strumpet" and "come and be my whore" throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity, suggesting that the poet is driven by a powerful and unstoppable force.
Plath also uses metaphor and simile to create vivid and evocative images. She describes the poet as "a madwoman in a garret," "a lioness in the tall grass," "a lover with a whip," "a saint with a sword," and "a pirate on the high seas." These images are powerful and memorable, creating a sense of the poet as a complex and multifaceted figure.
In conclusion, The Poetry Strumpet Song by Sylvia Plath is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex relationship between a poet and their work. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Plath creates a portrait of the poet as a rebel, a martyr, a seducer, and a madwoman. The poem is a celebration of the power and passion of poetry, and a testament to the enduring legacy of Sylvia Plath as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
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