'Crossing The Water' by Sylvia Plath
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Black lake, black boat, two black, cut-paper people.
Where do the black trees go that drink here?
Their shadows must cover Canada.
A little light is filtering from the water flowers.
Their leaves do not wish us to hurry:
They are round and flat and full of dark advice.
Cold worlds shake from the oar.
The spirit of blackness is in us, it is in the fishes.
A snag is lifting a valedictory, pale hand;
Stars open among the lilies.
Are you not blinded by such expressionless sirens?
This is the silence of astounded souls.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Crossing The Water: A Deep Dive Into Sylvia Plath's Poem
Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for her confessional style, raw emotions, and powerful metaphors. One of her most haunting poems, "Crossing The Water," speaks about loss, grief, and the passage of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, language, and structure of this classic poem and delve deeper into the mind of its enigmatic author.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
"Crossing The Water" was first published in 1965, one year after Plath's death by suicide. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each with three lines, and follows a loose ABAB rhyming scheme. The tone of the poem is contemplative, melancholic, and introspective. The poem's speaker, who is most likely Plath herself, describes a journey across a body of water, possibly a river or a lake. The journey is symbolic of the passage of time and the inevitability of death.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes of "Crossing The Water" is the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The poem's speaker describes the journey across the water as a "final journey," suggesting that it represents the end of life. The water itself is a powerful symbol of time, as it is constantly flowing and changing. The speaker notes that "the water is black / And leaves taken by its coldness / Chatter like teeth," suggesting that time is cold and unforgiving.
Another theme of the poem is the idea of loss and grief. The speaker mentions the "little boats" that have been lost, which could represent people who have died or relationships that have ended. The speaker also notes that "the voices of my dim killed children / Cry to me from the shore." This line is particularly haunting, as it suggests that the speaker has lost children and is haunted by their memory.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of memory and the power of the past. The speaker says, "Memory throws up high and dry / A crowd of twisted things," suggesting that memories can be painful and difficult to confront. The speaker also notes that "the light in the eye / Adjusts to your going," suggesting that memories of loved ones can fade over time.
Structure
The structure of "Crossing The Water" is simple but effective. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each with three lines. The stanzas follow a loose ABAB rhyming scheme, which gives the poem a sense of rhythm and structure. The poem's language is also relatively simple, with few complex words or phrases. This simplicity allows the poem's themes to take center stage and gives the poem a haunting, ethereal quality.
Language and Imagery
Plath's use of language and imagery in "Crossing The Water" is powerful and evocative. The poem is full of striking metaphors and vivid descriptions that bring the journey across the water to life. For example, the speaker notes that "My naked feet were blue and numb" and "The water peeled off darkened skin / As it rose, whispering like silk." These lines are both beautiful and haunting, suggesting the coldness and uncertainty of the journey.
The water itself is a powerful symbol throughout the poem. The speaker describes it as "black," "cold," and "chattering like teeth." This imagery creates a sense of foreboding and suggests that the journey across the water is not an easy one. The boats that have been lost are also a powerful image, representing the people and relationships that the speaker has lost.
Finally, the line "The voices of my dim killed children / Cry to me from the shore" is one of the most haunting in the poem. This line is full of emotion and suggests that the speaker has suffered a great loss. The use of the word "dim" is particularly effective, as it suggests that the memory of the children is fading over time.
Interpretation
"Crossing The Water" is a deeply personal and introspective poem that reflects Plath's own struggles with loss and grief. The poem's themes of the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the power of memory are all central to Plath's own life and work. The poem is also deeply symbolic, with the water representing time and the boats representing the people and relationships that the speaker has lost.
One possible interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the passing of time and the inevitability of death. The journey across the water represents the journey of life, which is full of uncertainty and difficulty. The loss of the little boats and the cry of the speaker's dim killed children suggest that life is full of loss and grief, and that these losses never truly go away.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection on the power of memory. The twisted things that memory throws up suggest that memories can be painful and difficult to confront. The fading light in the eye suggests that memories of loved ones can fade over time, but that they never truly disappear.
Conclusion
"Crossing The Water" is a haunting and powerful poem that speaks to the fragility of life, the inevitability of death, and the power of memory. Plath's use of language and imagery is evocative and powerful, and the poem's structure is simple but effective. The poem is deeply personal and introspective, reflecting Plath's own struggles with loss and grief. Overall, "Crossing The Water" is a powerful example of Plath's unique and haunting poetic voice.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Crossing The Water: A Poem of Life and Death
Sylvia Plath is a poet who is known for her dark and haunting works. Her poems often explore themes of death, depression, and the struggles of life. One of her most famous poems, Crossing The Water, is a perfect example of her unique style and the themes that she explores.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with four lines. The first stanza sets the scene, describing a boat crossing a river. The second stanza introduces the idea of death, with the speaker saying that they "will die" and that they "will go down". The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker saying that they will "rise" and "go back" to the world.
The poem is full of symbolism and metaphor, which makes it a rich and complex work. The boat crossing the river can be seen as a metaphor for life, with the river representing the journey that we all must take. The idea of death is also a powerful symbol, with the speaker acknowledging that it is something that we all must face.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Plath uses language to create a sense of tension and unease. The repetition of the word "will" in the second stanza creates a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker is resigned to their fate. The use of the word "go down" is also significant, as it suggests a descent into darkness and the unknown.
The final stanza is perhaps the most hopeful part of the poem, with the speaker saying that they will "rise" and "go back" to the world. This can be seen as a metaphor for rebirth or renewal, with the speaker suggesting that even in death there is the possibility of new life.
Overall, Crossing The Water is a powerful and haunting poem that explores some of the most fundamental themes of human existence. Plath's use of language and symbolism creates a sense of tension and unease, while also offering a glimmer of hope in the face of death. It is a work that continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to Plath's skill as a poet.
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