'Metaphors' by Sylvia Plath
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The Collected Poems1959I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Metaphors: A Startlingly Introspective Piece by Sylvia Plath
Sylvia Plath's Metaphors is a classic piece of poetry that has intrigued scholars and casual readers alike for decades. The poem is a deeply introspective piece that showcases Plath's gift for vivid imagery and metaphorical language. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the many layers of meaning in Metaphors, and attempt to understand what Plath was trying to convey through her masterful use of language.
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis of Metaphors, let us first take a look at the poem in its entirety:
I'm a riddle in nine syllables,
An elephant, a ponderous house,
A melon strolling on two tendrils.
O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!
This loaf's big with its yeasty rising.
Money's new-minted in this fat purse.
I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf.
I've eaten a bag of green apples,
Boarded the train there's no getting off.
At first glance, the poem may seem like a disjointed collection of random metaphors. However, upon closer inspection, we can discern a deeper meaning lurking beneath the surface.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line "I'm a riddle in nine syllables." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that the speaker is a complex and enigmatic figure. The use of the word "riddle" implies that there is more to the speaker than meets the eye, and that we will need to delve deeper in order to unravel the mystery.
Next, the poem presents us with three striking metaphors: "An elephant, a ponderous house, A melon strolling on two tendrils." Each of these metaphors serves to illustrate a different aspect of the speaker's personality. The elephant represents strength and power, the ponderous house represents stability and permanence, and the melon represents sweetness and delicacy.
The next line, "O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!" further reinforces the idea of the speaker as a multifaceted individual. The use of these three disparate materials suggests that the speaker is made up of a variety of different elements, each with their own unique qualities.
The following line, "This loaf's big with its yeasty rising," is an interesting one. At first glance, it may simply seem like a description of a loaf of bread. However, upon closer inspection, we can see that this line is actually a metaphor for the speaker's own growth and development. The "yeasty rising" represents the speaker's own burgeoning potential, and the "big" loaf represents the vast possibilities that lie ahead.
The next line, "Money's new-minted in this fat purse," is another metaphor that represents the speaker's own potential. The "new-minted" money represents the speaker's own wealth and abundance, while the "fat purse" suggests that this wealth is vast and plentiful.
The following line, "I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf," is a particularly interesting one. Each of these three metaphors represents a different way in which the speaker can be viewed. As a "means," the speaker is seen as a tool or instrument to be used for a particular purpose. As a "stage," the speaker is seen as a performer or actor, taking on different roles and personas as needed. Finally, as a "cow in calf," the speaker is seen as a creator, giving birth to new life and possibilities.
The final two lines of the poem, "I've eaten a bag of green apples, Boarded the train there's no getting off," are perhaps the most haunting. The image of the speaker eating a bag of green apples suggests a sense of recklessness or impulsiveness, while the line "Boarded the train there's no getting off" suggests a sense of finality or inevitability. These lines combine to create a sense of foreboding and unease, as though the speaker is hurtling towards an unknown and terrifying destination.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sylvia Plath's Metaphors is a masterful piece of poetry that showcases the author's gift for metaphorical language and vivid imagery. Through her use of a variety of different metaphors, Plath creates a portrait of a complex and multifaceted individual, one who is both powerful and delicate, stable and impermanent. Ultimately, the poem leaves us with a sense of unease and foreboding, as though we are witnessing the birth of a new and unknown world, one that is both beautiful and terrifying.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sylvia Plath is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and powerful imagery. Her poem "Metaphors" is a prime example of her ability to use language to create vivid and complex images that explore the human experience.
The poem is composed of nine stanzas, each containing a single metaphor that describes the speaker's experience of pregnancy. The metaphors are varied and surprising, ranging from the mundane to the surreal, and each one reveals something new about the speaker's emotional state.
The first metaphor, "I'm a riddle in nine syllables," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is describing herself as a puzzle, something that is difficult to understand or solve. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is struggling to come to terms with her pregnancy, perhaps feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about what lies ahead.
The second metaphor, "An elephant, a ponderous house," is a striking image that emphasizes the physicality of pregnancy. The speaker is comparing herself to a massive, lumbering animal, and the metaphor suggests that she feels weighed down by the burden of carrying a child.
The third metaphor, "A melon strolling on two tendrils," is a more playful image that contrasts with the heaviness of the previous metaphor. The speaker is describing the way her body has changed during pregnancy, becoming round and plump like a melon. The tendrils suggest a sense of delicacy or fragility, perhaps hinting at the vulnerability the speaker feels as she prepares to become a mother.
The fourth metaphor, "O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!" is a more abstract image that suggests the speaker's growing sense of wonder and awe at the miracle of life. The fruit and ivory suggest a sense of richness and abundance, while the fine timbers suggest a sense of craftsmanship or artistry. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to appreciate the beauty and complexity of the life growing inside her.
The fifth metaphor, "This loaf's big with its yeasty rising," is a more earthy image that emphasizes the physicality of pregnancy once again. The speaker is comparing her body to a loaf of bread, and the yeasty rising suggests a sense of growth and expansion. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to embrace the changes that pregnancy has brought to her body.
The sixth metaphor, "Money's new-minted in this fat purse," is a more practical image that suggests the speaker's growing sense of responsibility as a mother-to-be. The fat purse suggests a sense of wealth or abundance, while the new-minted money suggests a sense of freshness or newness. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to think about the practicalities of raising a child, and is perhaps feeling a sense of financial pressure.
The seventh metaphor, "I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf," is a more complex image that suggests the speaker's growing sense of identity as a mother. The means and stage suggest a sense of purpose or direction, while the cow in calf suggests a sense of nurturing or caretaking. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to see herself as a vessel for new life, and is perhaps feeling a sense of pride or responsibility in this role.
The eighth metaphor, "I've eaten a bag of green apples," is a more visceral image that suggests the speaker's growing sense of physical discomfort as her pregnancy progresses. The green apples suggest a sense of sourness or discomfort, while the act of eating suggests a sense of consumption or absorption. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to feel the physical toll of pregnancy, and is perhaps struggling to cope with the discomfort and pain.
The final metaphor, "Boarded the train there's no getting off," is a more ominous image that suggests the speaker's growing sense of inevitability as she approaches childbirth. The train suggests a sense of forward motion or progress, while the idea of being unable to get off suggests a sense of finality or inevitability. This metaphor suggests that the speaker is beginning to come to terms with the fact that she will soon give birth, and is perhaps feeling a sense of fear or uncertainty about what lies ahead.
Overall, "Metaphors" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex emotions and experiences of pregnancy. Through a series of striking and surprising metaphors, Sylvia Plath creates a vivid portrait of a woman struggling to come to terms with the changes and challenges of motherhood. Whether read as a personal confession or a universal exploration of the human condition, "Metaphors" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that continues to resonate with readers today.
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