7/27/2023 0 Comments The mirrorAdvertisements Summary and Explanation of the Poem Mirror: The flickering of the pink wall ‘over and over’ and the ageing of the woman ‘day by day’ are the examples of this. Repetition: Repetition is used strategically by the poet at the end of each stanza giving it a ‘trailing’ effect to represent continuity. Comparisons: The phrase ‘Now I am a lake’ forms a good example of a metaphor, whereas the last line has the words ‘like a terrible fish’ forming a simile where old-age is compared to a fish.Ĭ. Personification: The entire poem is a personification, as the mirror, an inanimate object speaks in the first person and describes itself like a human, possessed of human virtues.ī. There is an excessive use of stops in the form of commas and periods instead of enjambment, which suggests clarity and makes the poem appear more like a prose. Although it is a free verse, there is a solid structure to the poem. This forms for the symmetry in the structure and composition of the poem. Also, both stanzas have seven sentences each. Symmetry: The poem is divided into two stanzas and each stanza has nine lines each. It is further unbound by any of the formal metres for rhythm. There is an impending question in the poem: is it better to know the truth even when it is dissatisfying? Technical aspects:įree Verse: The poem is a free verse, in that it has no rhyme scheme. The emotion of self-hatred is explored here. The mirror here is used as a symbol to procreate the poet’s own emotions and states. This is why the mirror considers himself a superior friend. They appease her with falsities, whereas the mirror shows her the truth. The lake (representing a mirror) calls the candles and the moon liars as they do not show the woman her true self. The poet shows that it is not necessary to always know the truth, and upholds the idea ‘Ignorance is bliss.’ We see a woman, dissatisfied by her reflection in the mirror saddened by her image. It is a common feeling that truth and honesty are the best policy, but in this situation, we discover the complex dilemma where truth is disagreeable. The second stanza explores the effects of truth. The mirror is presented as so very forlorn that it clings to the wall and its loneliness, and doesn’t like it flickering with shadows and faces. This shows an acceptance of that loneliness and even affection towards it. The mirror feel that the wall is a part of itself. So we see a sense of loneliness in the mirror. It faces the pink wall with spots most of its time. In the first stanza, the mirror is represented as a truthful object. We will talk here more about the feelings conveyed in the poem. It is imperative to read between the lines of the poem to fully grasp its idea. It explores how sometimes truth can cause agony. The theme of the poem is that of truth and its effects. It is unclear when this poem was written, but it is alleged that it was around 1961, at a time when the poet had undergone much emotional turmoil and had also produced a number of works including her only novel ‘The Bell Jar.’ The poem was published in 1971 as a part of the anthology ‘Crossing the Water.’ Advertisements Theme: The poetess suffered from clinical depression and attempted suicide several times, succeeding in 1963 at the age of 30. She was one of the pioneers in the genre of self-exploration and self-discovery. She was unfortunately riddled with mental agony which is often reflected in her poetry. Sylvia Plath was a famous poet of the 1950’s and 60’s. Major Themes in the Poetry of Sylvia Plath | Her Vision
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