'Pheasant' by Sylvia Plath
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You said you would kill it this morning.
Do not kill it. It startles me still,
The jut of that odd, dark head, pacing
Through the uncut grass on the elm's hill.
It is something to own a pheasant,
Or just to be visited at all.
I am not mystical: it isn't
As if I thought it had a spirit.
It is simply in its element.
That gives it a kingliness, a right.
The print of its big foot last winter,
The trail-track, on the snow in our court
The wonder of it, in that pallor,
Through crosshatch of sparrow and starling.
Is it its rareness, then? It is rare.
But a dozen would be worth having,
A hundred, on that hill-green and red,
Crossing and recrossing: a fine thing!
It is such a good shape, so vivid.
It's a little cornucopia.
It unclaps, brown as a leaf, and loud,
Settles in the elm, and is easy.
It was sunning in the narcissi.
I trespass stupidly. Let be, let be.
Submitted by Peter Carter
Editor 1 Interpretation
Pheasant by Sylvia Plath: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with Sylvia Plath's poem, "Pheasant"? This hauntingly beautiful piece of literature is one that has stuck with me ever since I first read it. Plath's use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a powerful and emotional experience for the reader.
Structure and Form
Let's start by taking a closer look at the structure and form of the poem. "Pheasant" is a three-stanza poem with six lines in each stanza. The stanzas follow an ABABCC rhyme scheme, with the final two lines of each stanza rhyming. This creates a sense of closure and unity within each stanza, while the varying end rhymes maintain a sense of rhythmic diversity throughout the poem.
The poem is also written in free verse, meaning that it does not conform to a specific meter or rhyme pattern. This allows Plath to experiment with the form and structure of the poem, using enjambment and caesura to create a sense of movement and tension.
Themes and Imagery
One of the most striking elements of "Pheasant" is the imagery that Plath uses to convey the poem's central themes. The poem is primarily concerned with the idea of mortality and the fleeting nature of life. This is conveyed through the recurring image of the pheasant, which represents both the beauty and fragility of life.
In the first stanza, Plath describes the pheasant as "flashing and fanning" its "burnished wings." This image creates a sense of vibrancy and energy, highlighting the beauty and vitality of life. However, this image is juxtaposed with the pheasant's eventual death, as it is "crushed" by the "gravid wheels" of a passing car.
Plath's use of the word "gravid" here is particularly powerful, as it suggests the weight and inevitability of death. This is further emphasized by the repetition of the word "death" in the final stanza, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of our own mortality.
The poem also explores the theme of loss, as the speaker mourns the death of the pheasant and reflects on their own sense of grief and loneliness. This is conveyed through the use of metaphorical language, as the speaker compares themselves to the "lonely hearts" of the pheasant's feathers left behind on the road.
The Symbolism of the Pheasant
The pheasant itself is a highly symbolic figure in the poem, representing both the beauty and fragility of life. The bird's vibrant colors and flashing wings evoke a sense of vitality and energy, while its eventual death highlights the fleeting nature of life.
The pheasant can also be seen as a symbol of freedom and autonomy, as it is described as "flashing and fanning" its wings. However, this freedom is ultimately limited by the external forces of the world, as the pheasant is killed by the "gravid wheels" of a passing car.
In this sense, the pheasant can be seen as a metaphor for the human experience, highlighting the tension between freedom and mortality. The poem suggests that while we may strive for freedom and autonomy in our lives, we are ultimately limited by the inevitability of our own mortality.
Personal Response
As a reader, "Pheasant" evokes a strong emotional response in me. The poem's themes of mortality and loss are deeply resonant, and Plath's use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language creates a sense of intimacy and emotional intensity.
The poem also raises powerful questions about the nature of existence and the meaning of life. It asks us to consider what it means to be alive, and what it means to face our own mortality.
Overall, "Pheasant" is a stunning work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of mortality, loss, and the tension between freedom and mortality are universal and deeply impactful. Plath's use of imagery and metaphorical language creates a sense of emotional intensity and intimacy that is unmatched in contemporary poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sylvia Plath's "Pheasant" is a poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of life. The poem is a vivid description of a pheasant, and it is written in a way that brings the bird to life. Plath's use of imagery and symbolism creates a powerful and emotional connection between the reader and the pheasant.
The poem begins with a description of the pheasant's physical appearance. Plath describes the bird as having "a golden eye, / A lovely, pointed head, / And a long tail." This description sets the tone for the rest of the poem and creates a visual image of the pheasant in the reader's mind.
As the poem progresses, Plath uses symbolism to convey the pheasant's significance. The pheasant is described as "a king in hiding," which suggests that the bird is a symbol of power and royalty. The pheasant's "golden eye" is also symbolic, representing wealth and prosperity.
Plath's use of imagery is particularly effective in the second stanza of the poem. She describes the pheasant's movements as "a swift, sudden flight, / And a slow, deliberate descent." This description creates a sense of movement and action, and it also conveys the pheasant's grace and beauty.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful. Plath describes the pheasant as "a flame of feathers," which suggests that the bird is a symbol of passion and intensity. The pheasant's "long tail" is also symbolic, representing the bird's freedom and independence.
Plath's use of language in the final stanza of the poem is particularly striking. She describes the pheasant as "a jewel on the grass," which suggests that the bird is a precious and valuable object. The pheasant's "lovely, pointed head" is also symbolic, representing the bird's intelligence and wisdom.
Overall, Plath's "Pheasant" is a powerful and emotional poem that captures the beauty and significance of nature. The poem's use of imagery and symbolism creates a vivid and powerful image of the pheasant, and it also conveys a deeper meaning about the importance of nature and the natural world.
In conclusion, Sylvia Plath's "Pheasant" is a classic poem that captures the essence of nature and the beauty of life. The poem's use of imagery and symbolism creates a powerful and emotional connection between the reader and the pheasant, and it also conveys a deeper meaning about the importance of nature and the natural world. This poem is a must-read for anyone who loves nature and appreciates the beauty of life.
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