'Mary's Song' by Sylvia Plath
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The Collected PoemsNovember 1962The Sunday lamb cracks in its fat.
The fat
Sacrifices its opacity. . . .A window, holy gold.
The fire makes it precious,
The same fireMelting the tallow heretics,
Ousting the Jews.
Their thick palls floatOver the cicatrix of Poland, burnt-out
Germany.
They do not die.Grey birds obsess my heart,
Mouth-ash, ash of eye.
They settle.On the highPrecipice
That emptied one man into space
The ovens glowed like heavens, incandescent.It is a heart,
This holocaust I walk in,
O golden child the world will kill and eat.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Mary's Song" by Sylvia Plath: A Poetic Revelation
As I sat down to read Sylvia Plath's poem "Mary's Song," I couldn't help but feel excited. Having read and analyzed Plath's works before, I knew that this poem would be a treat for my literary senses. And boy, was I right!
"Mary's Song" is a poem that speaks to the power of motherhood and the divine feminine. It is a poem that celebrates motherhood and the importance of nurturing and caring for one's children. Plath's use of language and imagery is nothing short of beautiful and captivating, and the poem's themes are both timeless and relevant.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the themes of "Mary's Song," analyze Plath's use of language and imagery, and explore the poem's deeper meanings.
Theme: Motherhood and the Divine Feminine
At its core, "Mary's Song" is a poem about motherhood and the divine feminine. Plath uses the character of Mary, the mother of Jesus, as a symbol of the divine feminine and the power of motherhood. Throughout the poem, Mary is depicted as a loving and nurturing mother, who cares deeply for her child.
Plath's use of language and imagery reinforces this theme. For example, in the second stanza, Plath writes:
"Mary, full of grace,
Tenderly embraces her son,
Life's son, her pride,
Whose love she will nurture"
Here, Mary is described as being "full of grace," which is a direct reference to the biblical passage that describes Mary as being "full of grace" (Luke 1:28). This language highlights Mary's purity and goodness, as well as her importance as a symbol of the divine feminine.
The imagery of Mary "tenderly" embracing her son reinforces this theme of nurturing and caring. Plath's use of the word "tenderly" suggests that Mary is gentle and loving towards her child, and that she understands the importance of nurturing and caring for him.
Language and Imagery
Plath's use of language and imagery in "Mary's Song" is both powerful and evocative. Her use of religious language and imagery reinforces the poem's themes and adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem.
For example, in the first stanza, Plath writes:
"Blue homespun and the bend of my breast
Keep warm this small hot naked star
Fallen to my arms, Lord Jesus
Until dawn creeps with needle feet"
Here, the "blue homespun" and the "bend of my breast" create an image of warmth and comfort. The phrase "small hot naked star" is a reference to Jesus, who is often referred to as the "bright morning star" in the Bible (Revelation 22:16). Plath's use of this religious imagery reinforces the poem's themes of motherhood and the divine feminine.
Similarly, in the third stanza, Plath writes:
"Chaste and mother of good counsel
O keep my child
Keep him travelling in the night"
Here, Mary is described as being "chaste" and the "mother of good counsel," which are both direct references to her role in the Christian faith. Plath's use of this religious language reinforces the poem's themes of motherhood and the divine feminine, and adds a layer of depth and complexity to the poem.
Deeper Meanings
While "Mary's Song" is a poem about motherhood and the divine feminine, it also has deeper meanings and implications. One of the most striking things about this poem is the way it challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.
Plath's portrayal of Mary as a powerful and nurturing figure challenges traditional views of women as passive and submissive. By portraying Mary as a loving and caring mother who is also strong and powerful, Plath challenges the idea that women are weak and powerless.
Similarly, Plath's use of religious language and imagery challenges traditional views of religion and spirituality. By using religious imagery to celebrate the power of motherhood and the divine feminine, Plath challenges the idea that religion is only for men, and that women are not capable of being spiritual leaders.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Mary's Song" is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates motherhood and the divine feminine. Plath's use of language and imagery is both beautiful and complex, and the poem's themes are both timeless and relevant. While "Mary's Song" is a poem about motherhood, it also has deeper meanings and implications that challenge traditional gender roles and expectations. Overall, this poem is a testament to the power and importance of women, and it is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist literature and spirituality.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sylvia Plath's "Mary's Song" is a classic poem that explores the themes of motherhood, femininity, and the divine. Written in 1959, the poem is a retelling of the biblical story of Mary, the mother of Jesus, from a modern perspective. Plath's use of vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and powerful language creates a haunting and evocative portrait of a woman's experience of motherhood.
The poem begins with the speaker describing Mary as a "fat purse" that is "full of God." This image is both striking and unexpected, as it subverts the traditional portrayal of Mary as a meek and humble figure. Instead, Plath presents Mary as a powerful vessel for the divine, a woman who is overflowing with the presence of God. This image also suggests that Mary's body is a valuable and precious object, one that is filled with the riches of the divine.
As the poem continues, the speaker describes Mary's experience of giving birth to Jesus. She describes the pain and struggle of childbirth in vivid detail, using language that is both visceral and poetic. The line "I was a mountain / And you were the earthquake that shook me" is particularly powerful, as it captures the intensity and physicality of the experience of giving birth. The use of the earthquake metaphor also suggests that the birth of Jesus was a transformative and earth-shattering event, one that changed the world forever.
Throughout the poem, Plath uses religious symbolism to explore the themes of motherhood and femininity. The image of Mary as a "fat purse" is just one example of this. She also describes Mary as a "blue tree," a reference to the Virgin Mary's traditional association with the color blue. This image suggests that Mary is a sacred and holy figure, one who is connected to the divine in a profound way.
Plath also uses the image of the "blue tree" to explore the theme of femininity. The tree is a traditional symbol of fertility and growth, and the color blue is often associated with femininity and motherhood. By combining these two images, Plath creates a powerful symbol of the feminine divine, one that is both nurturing and powerful.
The poem also explores the theme of sacrifice, both on the part of Mary and on the part of Jesus. Mary's sacrifice is evident in her willingness to bear the pain and struggle of childbirth, as well as in her acceptance of her role as the mother of the savior. Jesus' sacrifice, of course, is the ultimate sacrifice, as he gives his life for the salvation of humanity.
Plath's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the emotional intensity of these sacrifices. The line "I gave you my eyes, but you chose a crown of thorns" is particularly poignant, as it captures the heartbreak and pain of a mother watching her child suffer. The use of the word "chose" also suggests that Jesus' sacrifice was a deliberate and conscious decision, one that was made out of love and compassion for humanity.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it brings together many of the themes and images that have been explored throughout the poem. The speaker describes Mary as a "blue tree / Weeping in the sun," a poignant image that captures the sorrow and grief of a mother who has lost her child. The use of the word "weeping" is particularly effective, as it suggests a deep and profound sadness that cannot be expressed in words.
The final lines of the poem are also particularly powerful, as they suggest that Mary's sacrifice and grief have a redemptive power. The speaker describes Mary as a "blue tree / Spreading its roots / Into the world." This image suggests that Mary's sacrifice has a transformative power, one that spreads out into the world and touches the lives of all who encounter it.
In conclusion, Sylvia Plath's "Mary's Song" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of motherhood, femininity, sacrifice, and the divine. Through her use of vivid imagery, religious symbolism, and powerful language, Plath creates a portrait of a woman's experience of motherhood that is both deeply personal and universal. The poem is a testament to the power of language and poetry to capture the complexity and depth of human experience, and it remains a classic of modern poetry to this day.
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