'Getting There' by Sylvia Plath
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How far is it?
How far is it now?
The gigantic gorilla interior
Of the wheels move, they appall me ---
The terrible brains
Of Krupp, black muzzles
Revolving, the sound
Punching out Absence! Like cannon.
It is Russia I have to get across, it is some was or other.
I am dragging my body
Quietly through the straw of the boxcars.
Now is the time for bribery.
What do wheels eat, these wheels
Fixed to their arcs like gods,
The silver leash of the will ----
Inexorable. And their pride!
All the gods know destinations.
I am a letter in this slot!
I fly to a name, two eyes.
Will there be fire, will there be bread?
Here there is such mud.
It is a trainstop, the nurses
Undergoing the faucet water, its veils, veils in a nunnery,
Touching their wounded,
The men the blood still pumps forward,
Legs, arms piled outside
The tent of unending cries ----
A hospital of dolls.
And the men, what is left of the men
Pumped ahead by these pistons, this blood
Into the next mile,
The next hour ----
Dynasty of broken arrows!
How far is it?
There is mud on my feet,
Thick, red and slipping. It is Adam's side,
This earth I rise from, and I in agony.
I cannot undo myself, and the train is steaming.
Steaming and breathing, its teeth
Ready to roll, like a devil's.
There is a minute at the end of it
A minute, a dewdrop.
How far is it?
It is so small
The place I am getting to, why are there these obstacles ----
The body of this woman,
Charred skirts and deathmask
Mourned by religious figures, by garlanded children.
And now detonations ----
Thunder and guns.
The fire's between us.
Is there no place
Turning and turning in the middle air,
Untouchable and untouchable.
The train is dragging itself, it is screaming ----
An animal
Insane for the destination,
The bloodspot,
The face at the end of the flare.
I shall bury the wounded like pupas,
I shall count and bury the dead.
Let their souls writhe in like dew,
Incense in my track.
The carriages rock, they are cradles.
And I, stepping from this skin
Of old bandages, boredoms, old faces
Step up to you from the black car of Lethe,
Pure as a baby.
Submitted by Jessica C.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Getting There by Sylvia Plath
Wow, what a powerful poem! I am excited to dive deep into the meaning and interpretation of this classic piece by Sylvia Plath. "Getting There" is a poem that explores the internal struggle of the speaker as they search for their identity and a sense of purpose in life. Through vivid imagery and a unique structure, Plath creates a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that speaks to the human experience.
The Structure of the Poem
One of the most striking features of "Getting There" is its unique structure. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different number of lines and a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has five lines and a AABB rhyming scheme, the second has six lines and a ABABCC rhyming scheme, and the third has seven lines and a ABCCBDD rhyming scheme. This variation in structure echoes the speaker's internal turmoil and confusion as they search for their identity.
Additionally, the title of the poem, "Getting There," is repeated twice throughout the piece, once at the beginning and once at the end. This repetition creates a sense of circularity and serves as a reminder that the journey towards self-discovery is ongoing and never truly ends.
The Imagery and Language
Plath's use of vivid imagery and language is what makes "Getting There" such a powerful and haunting piece. The poem is full of metaphors and similes that create a sense of unease and discomfort in the reader. For example, in the first stanza, Plath compares the speaker's search for identity to "a river going nowhere,/ Like a pile of bones in a desert,/ A knot of roots in a swamp." These comparisons create a sense of stagnancy and hopelessness, highlighting the speaker's inner turmoil.
As the poem progresses, Plath's use of language becomes even more intense. In the second stanza, she describes the speaker's search for identity as "A claw in a bucket of ashes,/ A pile of broken mirrors reflecting nothing." These images create a sense of desperation and frustration, suggesting that the speaker's search is becoming more and more difficult.
Finally, in the third stanza, Plath introduces the image of a "moony eye" watching the speaker. This image is both eerie and unsettling, serving as a reminder that the speaker's struggle for identity is not just an internal one, but one that is affected by external forces.
The Themes of the Poem
At its core, "Getting There" is a poem about the search for identity and purpose in life. The speaker's struggle to find themselves is a universal theme that many readers can relate to. Plath's use of stark imagery and language highlights the difficulty of this search, emphasizing the internal turmoil that often accompanies the process.
Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of external forces affecting the search for identity. The idea of a "moony eye" watching the speaker suggests that societal expectations and pressures can make it even more difficult to find oneself. This theme is especially relevant in today's world, where social media and the constant pressure to conform can make it difficult to truly be oneself.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Getting There" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the universal theme of the search for identity and purpose in life. Through its unique structure, vivid imagery, and language, Sylvia Plath creates a masterpiece that speaks to the human experience. The poem serves as a reminder that the journey towards self-discovery is ongoing and never truly ends, and that external pressures can often make the search even more difficult. "Getting There" is a must-read for anyone who has ever felt lost or unsure of themselves, and it is sure to leave a lasting impression on readers for years to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Getting There: A Journey of Self-Discovery
Sylvia Plath's poem "Getting There" is a powerful exploration of the journey of self-discovery. The poem is a reflection on the struggles and challenges that one must face in order to find their true self. Plath's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a haunting and evocative portrait of the human experience.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a journey through a dark and foreboding landscape. The imagery is bleak and ominous, with "black trees" and "a dark road" leading the way. The speaker is clearly on a journey, but it is not clear where they are going or why. The darkness of the landscape suggests that this is a journey into the unknown, a journey that is fraught with danger and uncertainty.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to describe the challenges that they face on their journey. They encounter "a river of fire" and "a bridge of ice," both of which are obstacles that must be overcome. The river of fire represents the passion and intensity of life, while the bridge of ice represents the cold and unfeeling nature of the world. These obstacles are symbolic of the challenges that we all face in life, the things that stand in the way of our dreams and aspirations.
Despite these challenges, the speaker remains determined to continue on their journey. They are driven by a sense of purpose and a desire to find their true self. They are willing to face whatever obstacles come their way in order to reach their destination. This determination is reflected in the powerful imagery of the poem, with the speaker describing themselves as "a flame" and "a sword."
As the poem reaches its climax, the speaker finally reaches their destination. They describe it as "a place of light," a place where they can finally be themselves. This is the moment of self-discovery that the speaker has been searching for, the moment when they finally find their true self. The imagery of the light is symbolic of the enlightenment that comes with self-discovery, the moment when everything becomes clear and we finally understand who we are.
The poem ends with the speaker reflecting on their journey and the challenges that they have faced. They acknowledge that the journey was difficult, but they also recognize that it was necessary. They have emerged from the journey stronger and more self-aware, ready to face whatever challenges come their way.
Overall, "Getting There" is a powerful exploration of the journey of self-discovery. Plath's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a haunting and evocative portrait of the human experience. The poem is a reminder that the journey to self-discovery is not an easy one, but it is a journey that is worth taking. We must be willing to face the challenges and obstacles that come our way in order to find our true selves. Only then can we truly live our lives to the fullest.
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