'Kindness' by Sylvia Plath
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The Collected Poems1963Kindness glides about my house.
Dame Kindness, she is so nice!
The blue and red jewels of her rings smoke
In the windows, the mirrors
Are filling with smiles.What is so real as the cry of a child?
A rabbit's cry may be wilder
But it has no soul.
Sugar can cure everything, so Kindness says.
Sugar is a necessary fluid,Its crystals a little poultice.
O kindness, kindness
Sweetly picking up pieces!
My Japanese silks, desperate butterflies,
May be pinned any minute, anesthetized.And here you come, with a cup of tea
Wreathed in steam.
The blood jet is poetry,
There is no stopping it.
You hand me two children, two roses.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Kindness by Sylvia Plath: A Deep Dive
If there is one thing that Sylvia Plath is known for, it is her ability to capture the raw emotions of the human experience. Her poetry is often a reflection of her own struggles with depression, anxiety, and mental illness. In "Kindness," Plath explores the idea of empathy and the power of small acts of kindness in a world that can often feel dark and unforgiving.
Overview
"Kindness" is a short poem consisting of just four stanzas. Each stanza is only two lines long, but the brevity of the poem does not diminish its power. Through her use of vivid imagery and carefully chosen words, Plath creates a poem that is both haunting and uplifting.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment of kindness that she has witnessed. The act is small, but it has a profound impact on the speaker. As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of kindness and its ability to bring light to even the darkest of situations.
Analysis
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker describes a scene in which a stranger places a coin in the speaker's hand. The act is small, but it has a significant impact on the speaker. The use of the word "flicked" in the first line adds a sense of urgency to the action, as if the stranger is trying to quickly pass on the coin before anyone else notices.
The use of the word "dank" in the second line sets the scene and creates a sense of atmosphere. The word has connotations of darkness and dampness, which adds to the feeling of sadness and despair that the speaker seems to be experiencing.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the act of kindness that she has just witnessed. The use of the word "breath" in the first line adds a sense of life and vitality to the poem. The act of kindness has breathed life into the speaker's world, and the use of the word "breath" reinforces this idea.
The phrase "the small coin, silver in my palm" is particularly effective. Here, Plath uses sensory imagery to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The use of the word "silver" adds a sense of value to the coin and reinforces the idea that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.
In the third stanza, the speaker reflects on the nature of kindness. The use of the word "trembling" in the first line creates a sense of vulnerability. The act of kindness has touched the speaker on a deep emotional level, and the use of the word "trembling" suggests that the speaker is overwhelmed with emotion.
The phrase "the stars burned like lamps" is particularly striking. Here, Plath uses a simile to compare the stars to lamps. The use of the word "burned" adds a sense of intensity to the image, and the overall effect is to create a sense of warmth and light in an otherwise dark and despairing world.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker reflects on the fact that even small acts of kindness can have a profound impact. The use of the word "dew" in the first line creates a sense of freshness and newness. The act of kindness has breathed new life into the speaker's world, and the use of the word "dew" reinforces this idea.
The phrase "the droplets spilling, / Clearly the sweetest water there is" is particularly effective. Here, Plath uses a metaphor to compare the act of kindness to sweet water. The use of the word "clearly" suggests that the speaker is certain of the value of kindness, and the overall effect is to reinforce the idea that even small acts of kindness can have a significant impact.
Interpretation
"Kindness" is a poem about the power of empathy and the ability of small acts of kindness to bring light into even the darkest of situations. The poem is particularly poignant when considered in the context of Sylvia Plath's own struggles with depression and mental illness.
The act of kindness that the speaker witnesses in the poem is a small one, but it has a profound impact on her. The use of vivid imagery and sensory language creates a sense of emotion and atmosphere that draws the reader into the speaker's world.
The poem is ultimately a celebration of the human spirit and the power of empathy. Even in a world that can often feel dark and unforgiving, small acts of kindness can bring light and hope. Through her use of language and imagery, Plath creates a poem that is both haunting and uplifting.
Conclusion
"Kindness" is a poem that speaks to the human experience on a deep and emotional level. Through her use of vivid imagery and carefully chosen words, Sylvia Plath creates a powerful poem that explores the nature of empathy and the significance of small acts of kindness. The poem is ultimately a celebration of hope and the human spirit, and it stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the raw emotions of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Power of Kindness in Sylvia Plath's Poetry
Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and powerful imagery. Her poem "Kindness" is a prime example of her ability to capture complex emotions and ideas in a few short lines. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and techniques used in "Kindness" and examine how they contribute to the poem's overall impact.
Overview of the Poem
"Kindness" is a short poem consisting of six stanzas, each with three lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. The speaker of the poem is not explicitly identified, but it is assumed to be Plath herself. The poem begins with the line "Kindness glides about my house," and goes on to describe the various ways in which kindness manifests itself in the speaker's life.
Themes
The central theme of "Kindness" is, unsurprisingly, kindness. The poem explores the idea that kindness is a powerful force that can transform even the most mundane aspects of life. The speaker describes how kindness "touches everything," from the "small fires" in the fireplace to the "blue and white vase" on the table. This suggests that kindness has the power to infuse even inanimate objects with a sense of warmth and comfort.
Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of connection. The speaker describes how kindness "reaches to the next table," suggesting that acts of kindness have a ripple effect that can spread far beyond their initial recipient. This idea is reinforced by the final stanza of the poem, which describes how kindness "sings from my telephone," suggesting that even something as impersonal as a phone call can be imbued with a sense of connection and compassion.
Techniques
One of the most striking techniques used in "Kindness" is the use of personification. The poem describes kindness as a living, breathing entity that "glides" and "touches" and "sings." This personification serves to emphasize the power and agency of kindness, suggesting that it is not just a passive quality but an active force that can shape the world around us.
Another technique used in the poem is the use of imagery. The speaker describes how kindness "fills my coffee cup," "pours itself into me," and "flows through me." These images create a sense of warmth and comfort, suggesting that kindness is not just an abstract concept but a tangible experience that can be felt in the body.
Finally, the poem makes use of repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase "Kindness glides" is repeated twice in the first stanza, creating a sense of movement and fluidity. The repetition of the word "touches" throughout the poem serves to reinforce the idea that kindness is a tactile, physical experience.
Analysis
"Kindness" is a deceptively simple poem that belies a complex web of emotions and ideas. At its core, the poem is a celebration of the power of kindness to transform our lives and the world around us. The poem suggests that kindness is not just a passive quality but an active force that can shape our experiences and relationships.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its emphasis on the physicality of kindness. The speaker describes how kindness "fills" and "flows" and "touches," suggesting that it is not just an abstract concept but a tangible experience that can be felt in the body. This emphasis on the physicality of kindness serves to reinforce its power and agency, suggesting that it is not just a passive quality but an active force that can shape our experiences and relationships.
Another key aspect of the poem is its emphasis on connection. The speaker describes how kindness "reaches" and "sings," suggesting that acts of kindness have a ripple effect that can spread far beyond their initial recipient. This idea is reinforced by the final stanza of the poem, which describes how kindness "sings from my telephone," suggesting that even something as impersonal as a phone call can be imbued with a sense of connection and compassion.
Finally, the poem's use of personification serves to emphasize the power and agency of kindness. By describing kindness as a living, breathing entity that "glides" and "touches" and "sings," the poem suggests that kindness is not just a passive quality but an active force that can shape the world around us. This personification serves to reinforce the idea that kindness is not just an abstract concept but a tangible experience that can be felt in the body.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Kindness" is a powerful poem that celebrates the transformative power of kindness. Through its use of personification, imagery, and repetition, the poem emphasizes the physicality and agency of kindness, suggesting that it is not just a passive quality but an active force that can shape our experiences and relationships. Ultimately, the poem suggests that acts of kindness have the power to connect us to one another and to transform even the most mundane aspects of life.
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