'Faun' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1956Haunched like a faun, he hooed
From grove of moon-glint and fen-frost
Until all owls in the twigged forest
Flapped black to look and brood
On the call this man made.No sound but a drunken coot
Lurching home along river bank.
Stars hung water-sunk, so a rank
Of double star-eyes lit
Boughs where those owls sat.An arena of yellow eyes
Watched the changing shape he cut,
Saw hoof harden from foot, saw sprout
Goat-horns.Marked how god rose
And galloped woodward in that guise.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Mystical and Tragic World of Sylvia Plath's "Faun"

Sylvia Plath was known for her confessional poetry that explored themes of death, trauma, and mental illness. "Faun," written in 1956, is a perfect example of her unique style and the richness of her poetic imagination. In this essay, I will analyze Plath's "Faun" through a literary criticism and interpretation that will delve into the meaning of the poem and its significance in the context of Plath's life and work.

The Poem's Structure and Form

"Faun" is a sonnet that follows the traditional form of fourteen lines of iambic pentameter. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first eight lines describing the faun's appearance and behavior, while the last six lines reveal the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions. The poem's rhyme scheme is unconventional, with the first and fourth lines rhyming, the second and fifth lines rhyming, and so on. This creates a feeling of fragmentation and dissonance that underscores the poem's themes of chaos and disorder.

The Faun as a Symbol of Nature and Sensuality

The faun is a mythical creature that has been a popular subject in art and literature since ancient times. In Plath's poem, the faun represents the natural world and the sensual pleasures that it offers. The faun's physicality is described in detail, with references to his "horns," "hooves," and "furry belly." He is also described as "lithe" and "muscular," emphasizing his physical strength and agility.

The faun's behavior is also sensual and primal. He is depicted as "gamboling" and "capering," engaging in playful and carefree activities. His laughter is described as "wanton," suggesting a sense of abandon and pleasure. The faun's presence in the poem creates a contrast with the speaker's inner turmoil and despair, highlighting the dichotomy between the natural world and the human experience.

The Speaker's Inner Turmoil and Despair

The second part of the poem shifts the focus from the faun to the speaker's inner thoughts and emotions. The speaker's voice is melancholic and introspective, revealing her sense of isolation and despair. The speaker views the faun as a symbol of escape, a way to forget the pain and suffering of human existence. She longs to "tumble with him," to experience the carefree joy of the faun's world.

However, the speaker's desire for escape is tempered by the realization that she cannot escape her own mortality. The final lines of the poem reveal the speaker's acknowledgement of death as an inevitable part of life. The faun's world may offer temporary relief, but it cannot provide a permanent escape from the harsh realities of human existence.

Plath's Use of Metaphor and Imagery

Plath's poetry is famous for its rich and evocative use of metaphor and imagery, and "Faun" is no exception. The faun is a powerful symbol of nature and sensuality, but he also represents the speaker's longing for connection and freedom. The poem's use of sensory imagery, such as the faun's "furry belly" and "hooves," creates a vivid and visceral image in the reader's mind.

The poem's final lines, "The green-eyed faun awakes / And watches while I sleep," use personification to create an unsettling sense of surveillance and vulnerability. The faun, who was once a symbol of joy and liberation, has now become a symbol of something darker and more ominous.

Conclusion

In "Faun," Sylvia Plath uses the faun as a symbol of nature and sensuality, exploring themes of isolation, despair, and mortality. The poem's structure and form create a sense of fragmentation and dissonance, underscoring the chaotic and unpredictable nature of human existence. Plath's use of metaphor and imagery creates a rich and evocative poem that invites the reader to explore its depths and meanings. "Faun" is a testament to Plath's poetic genius and her ability to capture the complexities and contradictions of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sylvia Plath's "Poetry Faun" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of creativity, inspiration, and the relationship between the artist and their muse. Written in 1956, the poem is a powerful example of Plath's unique poetic voice and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience.

At its core, "Poetry Faun" is a meditation on the nature of artistic inspiration. The poem takes the form of a conversation between the speaker and a faun, a mythical creature from Greek mythology known for its association with nature and the arts. The faun serves as a symbol for the creative spirit, and the speaker's interaction with it represents the struggle that artists face in trying to capture and express their ideas.

The poem begins with the speaker encountering the faun in a forest. The faun is described as "a creature of the woods," with "hooves and horns" and "a coat of fur." The speaker is immediately drawn to the faun's otherworldly beauty and is struck by its presence. The faun, in turn, seems to recognize the speaker's creative potential and invites her to join him in a dance.

The dance that follows is a powerful metaphor for the creative process. The faun leads the speaker through a series of movements that are both graceful and chaotic, reflecting the ups and downs of the creative journey. The speaker is swept up in the moment, losing herself in the rhythm and the music. She feels as though she is "flying" and "falling" at the same time, caught between the ecstasy of inspiration and the fear of failure.

As the dance comes to an end, the faun disappears, leaving the speaker alone in the forest. The speaker is left with a sense of longing and loss, as though she has been abandoned by her muse. She realizes that the faun was not a physical being but a manifestation of her own creative spirit, and that she must learn to rely on herself if she is to continue creating.

The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the experience she has just had. She realizes that the faun was not just a symbol of her own creativity but of all creativity, and that the struggle she faced in trying to capture it is universal. She says, "I am the faun, / And I dance with myself." This line is a powerful affirmation of the artist's ability to create, even in the absence of external inspiration.

One of the most striking things about "Poetry Faun" is its use of imagery. Plath's descriptions of the faun and the forest are vivid and evocative, creating a sense of magic and mystery. The faun is described as having "eyes like a cat" and "a mouth like a flower," while the forest is filled with "shadows" and "whispers." These images create a dreamlike atmosphere that is both enchanting and unsettling, reflecting the complex emotions that the speaker is experiencing.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of language. Plath's writing is both lyrical and precise, with each word carefully chosen to convey a specific meaning. The poem is filled with alliteration, assonance, and other poetic devices that create a sense of rhythm and musicality. This attention to language is a hallmark of Plath's work, and it is one of the reasons why she is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

Overall, "Poetry Faun" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the nature of creativity and the relationship between the artist and their muse. Plath's use of imagery and language creates a vivid and evocative world that draws the reader in and leaves them with a sense of wonder and awe. It is a testament to Plath's talent as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in her writing.

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