'Blackberrying' by Sylvia Plath

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The Collected Poems1961Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries,
Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly,
A blackberry alley, going down in hooks, and a sea
Somewhere at the end of it, heaving. Blackberries
Big as the ball of my thumb, and dumb as eyes
Ebon in the hedges, fat
With blue-red juices. These they squander on my fingers.
I had not asked for such a blood sisterhood; they must love me.
They accommodate themselves to my milkbottle, flattening their sides.Overhead go the choughs in black, cacophonous flocks --
Bits of burnt paper wheeling in a blown sky.
Theirs is the only voice, protesting, protesting.
I do not think the sea will appear at all.
The high, green meadows are glowing, as if lit from within.
I come to one bush of berries so ripe it is a bush of flies,
Hanging their bluegreen bellies and their wing panes in a Chinese screen.
The honey-feast of the berries has stunned them; they believe in heaven.
One more hook, and the berries and bushes end.The only thing to come now is the sea.
From between two hills a sudden wind funnels at me,
Slapping its phantom laundry in my face.
These hills are too green and sweet to have tasted salt.
I follow the sheep path between them. A last hook brings me
To the hills' northern face, and the face is orange rock
That looks out on nothing, nothing but a great space
Of white and pewter lights, and a din like silversmiths
Beating and beating at an intractable metal.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Unveiling of Sylvia Plath's Blackberrying

When you hear the name Sylvia Plath, what comes to mind? Is it her intense and confessional poetry, her tumultuous personal life, or perhaps her tragic end? While all of these aspects contribute to the complexity and intrigue of Plath's work, I believe that "Blackberrying," one of her most famous poems, is a perfect example of how she seamlessly weaves together personal experience, nature, and symbolism to create a haunting and unforgettable piece of literature.

Setting the Scene

Before we dive into the poem itself, let's set the scene. "Blackberrying" was written in 1961, just a few years before Plath's tragic suicide. The poem is set in the English countryside, where Plath is picking blackberries along a path that leads to the sea. While the poem's setting may seem idyllic and peaceful at first glance, it quickly becomes apparent that there is a sense of foreboding and unease that runs throughout the piece.

The Power of Symbolism

One of the most striking aspects of "Blackberrying" is Plath's use of symbolism. From the very first line, we see how the blackberries themselves are used to represent something deeper:

Nobody in the lane, and nothing, nothing but blackberries,
Blackberries on either side, though on the right mainly,
A blackberry alley, going down in hooks, and a sea
Somewhere at the end of it, heaving. Blackberries
Big as the ball of my thumb, and dumb as eyes
Ebon in the hedges, fat
With blue-red juices. These they squander on my fingers.

Here, the blackberries are not just a fruit, but a symbol of the unknown and potentially dangerous. The "blackberry alley" is described as going "down in hooks," which gives the impression of being trapped or ensnared. The sea at the end of the alley is described as "heaving," which adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty. The blackberries themselves are "dumb as eyes," which suggests that they may be watching or observing the speaker.

As the poem progresses, the symbolism becomes even more layered and complex. For example, the "sea" at the end of the alley can be interpreted as representing death or the unknown. The speaker is drawn to it, but also afraid of it:

I can see the humorous evening, the descent
Of manhood, floodlit by happiness, down
The paved path, not fear
Or pain, this evening, but the gaiety of it, the swaying
Young bodies, and the odour of beer.

Already the lights are shining, and crowds
Of pedestrians, jostling through the wide
Bright street, with its music and its lighted windows.
Feet going home and faces in repose,
And evening newspapers, and eyes
Assured of certain certainties,
The conscience of a blackened street
Impatient to assume the world.

The contrast between the speaker's experience and the "humorous evening" is stark. While others are enjoying the pleasures of life, the speaker is drawn to the dark, unknown sea. The "blackened street" suggests a sense of decay or corruption, which further emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation and desperation.

The Power of Language

Another aspect of "Blackberrying" that makes it so powerful is Plath's use of language. Her poetry is known for its striking imagery and intense emotions, and "Blackberrying" is no exception. Consider the following lines:

Like thickened wine: summer's blood was in it,
Leaving stains upon the tongue and lust for
Picking. Then red ones inked up and that hunger
Sent us out with milk cans, pea tins, jam-pots
Where briars scratched and wet grass bleached our boots.

The language here is visceral and sensual. The blackberries are described as "thickened wine," which not only creates a vivid image in the reader's mind but also suggests a sense of intoxication or excess. The mention of "summer's blood" adds a slightly sinister undertone to the poem, as if the speaker is engaging in something dangerous or taboo.

The Power of Personal Experience

Finally, it's worth noting that "Blackberrying" is a deeply personal poem for Plath. While the symbolism and language of the poem are powerful on their own, knowing the context in which Plath wrote the poem adds another layer of meaning. In her journals, Plath wrote about how she had gone blackberrying while living in England with her husband, the poet Ted Hughes. She described the experience as both magical and disturbing, writing that the "blackberries hung like jewels, like the eyes of a woman dying to be loved."

Knowing this context, it's easy to see how "Blackberrying" is not just a poem about picking fruit, but a reflection on Plath's own struggles with depression, isolation, and a sense of unease in her own life. The poem can be seen as a metaphor for the darkness and uncertainty that Plath was experiencing at the time.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Blackberrying" is a powerful and haunting piece of poetry that showcases Sylvia Plath's skill as a writer. Through her use of symbolism, language, and personal experience, Plath creates a vivid and unsettling portrait of a woman caught between the pleasures of life and the darkness that lies just beyond. As with all of Plath's work, "Blackberrying" is a reminder of the power of poetry to convey complex and nuanced emotions in a way that is both beautiful and deeply affecting.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Blackberrying: A Masterpiece of Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and vivid imagery. Her poem "Blackberrying" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her poetic style. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in "Blackberrying" to understand the deeper meaning of this poem.

The poem "Blackberrying" was written in 1961, just a few years before Plath's tragic death. It is a free-verse poem that describes the speaker's journey through a blackberry field. The poem is divided into two parts, with the first part describing the speaker's journey through the field, and the second part describing the speaker's emotional state.

The poem begins with the speaker walking through a blackberry field, picking berries as she goes. The speaker describes the berries as "fat, dusky berries" that are "juicy and sweet." The description of the berries is significant because it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The berries are a symbol of the speaker's desire for something sweet and satisfying in her life.

As the speaker continues through the field, she becomes more and more isolated from the world around her. She describes the "thorns, the thickets" that surround her, creating a sense of claustrophobia and entrapment. The thorns and thickets are a symbol of the speaker's emotional state, representing the barriers that she has put up to protect herself from the outside world.

The speaker then comes across a "great pond" that is "stagnant and dank." The pond is a symbol of the speaker's emotional state, representing the stagnant and unfulfilling life that she is living. The pond is also a symbol of death, foreshadowing the speaker's eventual suicide.

As the speaker continues through the field, she becomes more and more lost. She describes the "blackberries big as the ball of my thumb" that are "hidden among leaves." The blackberries are a symbol of the speaker's desire for something sweet and satisfying in her life, but they are hidden and difficult to find. This represents the speaker's struggle to find happiness and fulfillment in her life.

The second part of the poem describes the speaker's emotional state. She describes herself as "a bell jar" that is "suspended in a vacuum." The bell jar is a symbol of the speaker's isolation and entrapment, representing the barriers that she has put up to protect herself from the outside world. The vacuum is a symbol of the speaker's emotional emptiness, representing the lack of fulfillment in her life.

The speaker then describes herself as "a nun" who is "going nowhere." The nun is a symbol of the speaker's desire for spiritual fulfillment, but she is going nowhere, representing the speaker's inability to find meaning and purpose in her life.

The poem ends with the speaker describing herself as "a word" that is "slowly said." The word is a symbol of the speaker's desire to be heard and understood, but she is slowly said, representing the speaker's inability to express herself fully.

In conclusion, "Blackberrying" is a masterpiece of Sylvia Plath that captures the essence of her poetic style. The poem uses symbols and literary devices to explore the themes of isolation, entrapment, and emotional emptiness. The blackberries, thorns, thickets, pond, bell jar, vacuum, nun, and word are all symbols that represent the speaker's emotional state and desire for fulfillment. The poem is a powerful expression of the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

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