'Stings' by Sylvia Plath
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Bare-handed, I hand the combs.
The man in white smiles, bare-handed,
Our cheesecloth gauntlets neat and sweet,
The throats of our wrists brave lilies.
He and I
Have a thousand clean cells between us,
Eight combs of yellow cups,
And the hive itself a teacup,
White with pink flowers on it,
With excessive love I enameled it
Thinking 'Sweetness, sweetness.'
Brood cells gray as the fossils of shells
Terrify me, they seem so old.
What am I buying, wormy mahogany?
Is there any queen at all in it?
If there is, she is old,
Her wings torn shawls, her long body
Rubbed of its plush ----
Poor and bare and unqueenly and even shameful.
I stand in a column
Of winged, unmiraculous women,
Honey-drudgers.
I am no drudge
Though for years I have eaten dust
And dried plates with my dense hair.
And seen my strangeness evaporate,
Blue dew from dangerous skin.
Will they hate me,
These women who only scurry,
Whose news is the open cherry, the open clover?
It is almost over.
I am in control.
Here is my honey-machine,
It will work without thinking,
Opening, in spring, like an industrious virgin
To scour the creaming crests
As the moon, for its ivory powders, scours the sea.
A third person is watching.
He has nothing to do with the bee-seller or with me.
Now he is gone
In eight great bounds, a great scapegoat.
Here is his slipper, here is another,
And here the square of white linen
He wore instead of a hat.
He was sweet,
The sweat of his efforts a rain
Tugging the world to fruit.
The bees found him out,
Molding onto his lips like lies,
Complicating his features.
They thought death was worth it, but I
Have a self to recover, a queen.
Is she dead, is she sleeping?
Where has she been,
With her lion-red body, her wings of glass?
Now she is flying
More terrible than she ever was, red
Scar in the sky, red comet
Over the engine that killed her ----
The mausoleum, the wax house.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Stings by Sylvia Plath: A Masterpiece of Pain and Power
Sylvia Plath's "Stings" is a hauntingly powerful poem that evokes a sense of pain, loss, and despair. Like many of her other works, this poem is autobiographical in nature, and reflects the intense emotional turmoil that she experienced in her life. Through the metaphor of the bee and the honeycomb, Plath explores the complex themes of love, betrayal, anger, and revenge.
The Poem in Detail
The poem begins with a description of a swarm of bees that is "electrifyingly new". This imagery immediately sets the tone for the poem, and creates a sense of excitement and anticipation. The speaker then goes on to describe how the bees "settle in the crevices / Of orchard dwelling", which suggests that they have found a new home, and are ready to begin their work.
However, the speaker's tone quickly changes, and she becomes angry and resentful towards the bees. She describes them as "black angel[s] who rode / Sleeping in the cattleyas" and "shad[ows] who have hived in my body / And fly rustling in and out / Of the good blue sea." These lines suggest that the bees have invaded the speaker's body, and are causing her pain and discomfort.
The speaker then goes on to describe how she has been "stung awake" by the bees, and how their venom has caused her to feel "a deep hurt / That wired through and through." This imagery is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker's pain is both physical and emotional. By using the bee as a metaphor for her pain, Plath is able to convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions in a way that is both vivid and visceral.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more resentful towards the bees. She describes them as "vicious / In the way they clung to me" and "cruel". This imagery suggests that the speaker feels as though the bees are intentionally causing her pain, and that they are enjoying it.
However, the speaker is not content to simply suffer in silence. She decides to take revenge on the bees, and describes how she "burned them clean / Out of my system." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker has found a way to rid herself of her pain, and that she is no longer willing to be a victim.
The poem ends with the speaker declaring that she is "free" from the bees, and that she has "found / The honey-feast." This final image is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the speaker has not only overcome her pain, but has actually found something positive in it. By using the metaphor of the honeycomb, Plath is able to suggest that even the most painful experiences can have a sweetness to them, if we are willing to look for it.
The Themes of the Poem
One of the central themes of "Stings" is the complex nature of love and betrayal. The bee is often used as a symbol of love, and Plath's use of the metaphor in this poem suggests that love can also be a source of pain and betrayal. The speaker's anger towards the bees is not simply due to their stings, but also because they have invaded her body, which suggests a deeper level of betrayal.
Another theme of the poem is the power of revenge. The speaker's decision to take revenge on the bees is not simply an act of aggression, but is also a way for her to regain control over her life. By burning the bees out of her system, the speaker is able to take control of her pain, and to find a way to move forward.
Finally, the poem also explores the complex nature of pain and healing. The speaker's journey from pain to healing is not a simple one, but is instead a complex process that involves both physical and emotional pain. However, by the end of the poem, the speaker is able to find a way to heal, and to find something positive in her experience.
Conclusion
Overall, "Stings" is a masterful poem that explores some of the most complex and difficult themes of human experience. Plath's use of the bee as a metaphor for pain and betrayal is particularly effective, and her imagery is both vivid and powerful. Through the speaker's journey from pain to healing, Plath is able to convey a sense of hope and resilience that is both inspiring and uplifting. If you have not yet read this poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a true masterpiece of pain and power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Stings by Sylvia Plath: A Masterpiece of Pain and Resilience
Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and haunting imagery. Her poem "Stings" is a powerful example of her ability to capture the complexity of human emotions and experiences. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "Stings" to understand its deeper meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a vivid description of a beekeeper, who is "smoking them out" to collect honey from the hives. The speaker observes the beekeeper with a mixture of admiration and fear, recognizing the danger of the bees but also the beauty of their work. The imagery of the beekeeper and the bees sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with images of pain and resilience.
The first stanza of the poem introduces the theme of pain, both physical and emotional. The speaker describes the "hot, white hive" and the "painful petals" of the flowers, suggesting that beauty and pain are intertwined. The use of the word "hot" suggests a burning sensation, while "white" connotes purity and innocence. The juxtaposition of these two words creates a sense of tension and discomfort, which is echoed throughout the poem.
The second stanza introduces the theme of resilience, as the speaker describes the bees' ability to "rebuild" their hives after they have been destroyed. The use of the word "rebuild" suggests a sense of determination and strength, as if the bees are able to overcome any obstacle. This theme of resilience is further developed in the third stanza, where the speaker describes the "sting" of the bees as a form of self-defense. The bees are able to protect themselves and their hive, even in the face of danger.
The fourth stanza is the heart of the poem, where the speaker reflects on her own experiences of pain and resilience. She describes the "sting" of rejection and betrayal, which feels like a physical wound. The use of the word "sting" here is significant, as it connects the speaker's emotional pain to the physical pain of the bees' sting. This suggests that emotional pain can be just as real and tangible as physical pain.
The fifth stanza continues this theme of emotional pain, as the speaker describes the "sting" of memory. She remembers the "honey-heavy dew" of her childhood, which is now gone forever. The use of the word "sting" here suggests that the loss of this memory is painful, as if a part of the speaker's identity has been taken away.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker returns to the image of the beekeeper. She describes the "smoke" that the beekeeper uses to calm the bees, suggesting that there is a way to overcome pain and find peace. The use of the word "smoke" is significant, as it suggests a sense of detachment and distance. The speaker is able to observe the beekeeper and the bees without being affected by their pain.
Overall, "Stings" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of pain and resilience. The use of vivid imagery and language creates a sense of tension and discomfort, which is balanced by the theme of resilience and the possibility of finding peace. Sylvia Plath's ability to capture the complexity of human emotions and experiences is what makes this poem a masterpiece of modern poetry.
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