'The Applicant' by Sylvia Plath
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First, are you our sort of a person?
Do you wear
A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch,
A brace or a hook,
Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch,
Stitches to show something's missing? No, no? Then
How can we give you a thing?
Stop crying.
Open your hand.
Empty? Empty. Here is a hand
To fill it and willing
To bring teacups and roll away headaches
And do whatever you tell it.
Will you marry it?
It is guaranteed
To thumb shut your eyes at the end
And dissolve of sorrow.
We make new stock from the salt.
I notice you are stark naked.
How about this suit----
Black and stiff, but not a bad fit.
Will you marry it?
It is waterproof, shatterproof, proof
Against fire and bombs through the roof.
Believe me, they'll bury you in it.
Now your head, excuse me, is empty.
I have the ticket for that.
Come here, sweetie, out of the closet.
Well, what do you think of that ?
Naked as paper to start
But in twenty-five years she'll be silver,
In fifty, gold.
A living doll, everywhere you look.
It can sew, it can cook,
It can talk, talk , talk.
It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it's a poultice.
You have an eye, it's an image.
My boy, it's your last resort.
Will you marry it, marry it, marry it.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Literary Criticism of Sylvia Plath's "The Applicant"
Introduction
Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her dark and confessional style. Her poem, "The Applicant," is no exception. Published in 1965, the poem is a biting critique of gender roles and the commodification of marriage. It is a powerful commentary on the ways in which society forces individuals into prescribed roles and the ways in which gender disparity can lead to self-objectification. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various themes and symbols in "The Applicant" and offer an interpretation of this haunting and unforgettable poem.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Applicant" is the commodification of marriage. The poem begins with a faceless company interviewing potential spouses for an unnamed applicant. The interviewers ask a series of bizarre questions about the physical attributes of the candidates, treating them as if they were mere objects to be evaluated and purchased. The poem highlights the ways in which the institution of marriage is often treated as a transaction, with women's bodies and domestic skills serving as commodities to be traded in exchange for financial security. This theme is reinforced by the repetitive and impersonal language used throughout the poem, which emphasizes the mechanical and dehumanizing nature of the interview process.
Another major theme in "The Applicant" is the role of gender in shaping social expectations and identity. The poem suggests that individuals are forced into predetermined gender roles from birth, leading to a sense of alienation and loss of individual identity. The applicant, who is never identified by name or gender, is portrayed as a blank slate upon which the expectations and desires of others are projected. The interviewers seek to mold the applicant into their idealized version of a spouse, ignoring their individuality and agency. The poem suggests that gender roles are stifling and oppressive, and that individuals are often reduced to mere stereotypes in order to fit into society's expectations.
Symbols
"The Applicant" is rich with powerful symbols that deepen its meaning and contribute to its haunting atmosphere. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the use of color. The interviewers ask the candidates if they have "a pink and white torpor" or "a blue suit and a pink tie," suggesting that color is a key indicator of gender and social status. The color pink, traditionally associated with femininity, is used to emphasize the ways in which women are reduced to stereotypical gender roles. Similarly, the color blue, traditionally associated with masculinity, is used to suggest that men are expected to conform to certain gender expectations as well. The use of color in the poem serves to reinforce the idea that gender is a social construct, rather than a biological fact.
Another powerful symbol in "The Applicant" is the repeated reference to "white" and "light." The interviewers ask the candidates if they are "White as an eyeball" and if they have "white, clean teeth." This emphasis on whiteness is suggestive of purity and cleanliness, but it also reinforces the idea of whiteness as a normative standard. The fact that the interviewers place such a high value on whiteness suggests that they are interested in preserving the status quo and maintaining the existing power structures within society. The repeated use of white and light in the poem serves to emphasize the ways in which individuals are pressured to conform to dominant cultural norms.
Interpretation
"The Applicant" is a powerful and unsettling critique of gender roles and the commodification of marriage. The poem suggests that individuals are often reduced to mere objects, evaluated solely on the basis of their physical attributes and domestic skills. Moreover, it suggests that gender roles are oppressive and limiting, forcing individuals to conform to predetermined stereotypes rather than expressing their own individuality. The poem invites us to consider the ways in which gender and societal expectations shape our sense of self and our relationships with others.
One way to interpret "The Applicant" is as a critique of capitalism and consumer culture. The poem suggests that the commodification of marriage is a symptom of a larger cultural trend in which everything, including love and relationships, is reduced to a transactional exchange. The interviewers in the poem are portrayed as faceless representatives of a larger system that values profit over human connection. The poem suggests that the pressure to conform to societal expectations and to generate economic value can lead to a sense of alienation and disconnection from one's own desires and needs.
Another way to interpret "The Applicant" is as a feminist critique of patriarchy. The poem suggests that women are often reduced to mere objects, evaluated solely on the basis of their physical appearance and domestic skills. Moreover, it suggests that women are often forced to conform to stereotypical gender roles, rather than expressing their own individuality. The poem invites us to consider the ways in which patriarchal systems create and reinforce gender disparities, and the ways in which women are often marginalized and objectified within these systems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Applicant" is a powerful and important poem that invites us to consider the ways in which gender roles and societal expectations shape our sense of self and our relationships with others. The poem is a critique of the commodification of marriage, as well as a critique of patriarchy and consumer culture more broadly. By exploring the various themes and symbols in the poem, we can gain a deeper understanding of the ways in which individuals are pressured to conform to dominant cultural norms and the ways in which these pressures can lead to a loss of individual agency and identity. Sylvia Plath's "The Applicant" is a haunting and unforgettable poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Applicant: A Masterpiece of Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her confessional style of writing that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, The Applicant, is a masterpiece that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the commodification of human relationships. The poem, written in 1962, is a scathing critique of the patriarchal society that reduces human beings to mere objects of consumption.
The poem begins with a series of questions that are directed at the applicant, who is seeking a partner. The questions are framed in a way that reduces the applicant to a commodity that can be bought and sold in the market of marriage. The opening lines of the poem, "First, are you our sort of a person? / Do you wear / A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch, / A brace or a hook, / Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch," set the tone for the rest of the poem. The applicant is not seen as a human being with emotions and desires but as an object that needs to meet certain standards to be considered worthy of a partner.
The poem then goes on to describe the ideal partner that the applicant is expected to be. The ideal partner is someone who is obedient, efficient, and willing to conform to societal norms. The lines, "You are required to do so by an international law. / Take it in your stride / Your cadaverous face suits a certain light, / And that ghastly whiteness your special feature," highlight the pressure that is put on individuals to conform to societal expectations. The applicant is expected to be a perfect fit for the role of a partner, and any deviation from the norm is seen as a flaw.
The poem also explores the theme of gender roles and the expectations that are placed on men and women in society. The lines, "You will be alone with the gods, / And the nights will flame with fire. / You will ride life straight to perfect laughter, / It's the only good fight there is," highlight the societal expectation that men are supposed to be strong and independent. The applicant is expected to be a provider and a protector, and any sign of weakness is seen as a failure.
On the other hand, the lines, "You will learn by degrees to appreciate / The value of cold steel. / Male and female, / You will be able to choose," highlight the societal expectation that women are supposed to be nurturing and submissive. The applicant is expected to be a caregiver and a homemaker, and any sign of assertiveness is seen as a threat to the patriarchal order.
The poem also explores the commodification of human relationships and the way in which individuals are reduced to objects of consumption. The lines, "You will be asked to do wrong / As a matter of course, / And the memory of it will haunt your eyes," highlight the way in which individuals are expected to sacrifice their values and beliefs in order to conform to societal expectations. The applicant is expected to be a product that can be molded and shaped to fit the needs of the market.
The poem ends with a chilling image of the applicant being reduced to a mere object that can be bought and sold. The lines, "A living doll, everywhere you look. / It can sew, it can cook, / It can talk, talk, talk," highlight the way in which individuals are reduced to objects that can perform certain functions. The applicant is no longer seen as a human being with emotions and desires but as a product that can be marketed and sold.
In conclusion, The Applicant is a masterpiece of Sylvia Plath that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the commodification of human relationships. The poem is a scathing critique of the patriarchal society that reduces human beings to mere objects of consumption. The poem is a powerful reminder of the need to challenge societal norms and to resist the pressure to conform to the expectations of others. The Applicant is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.
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