Thread: Sylvia Plath

I love Sylvia Plath. I don't like all of her poems, but the vast majority were, imo, great.

I don't see anything wrong with being influenced by other poets and writers. As a matter of fact, it helps to develop and to find one's own style. It is very difficult, if not impossible, to completely mimick or copy another writer. I think that one's own personality has something to do with that.

To read great poems can only improve your own.

Claudia

Wow, saying that you don't want to read other poets because you might be influenced by them is crazy! How do you expect to learn anything about poetry? How can you enjoy poetry without reading it? Isn't reading poetry just as important, if not more important, than writing poetry? Who do you expect to read your poetry if everyone takes that approach? *hyperventilates*

As for Plath, some of my favourites of hers are "You're", "Mirror" and "Daddy". She has the ability to really shock you with her use of language. I always come away from her poetry feeling slightly uneasy but amazed, too.

A revised edition of 'Ariel' came out recently, where you can see how she redrafted some of her poems from their original forms. It's fascinating stuff, if you're interested in not only her, but how other poets revise their work.

Actually, the poets in the poetry forum seem to read my work a lot. I haven't posted anything in a while though . Anyways, I did realize that I would need to be influenced a bit. So I checked out some poetry books, Plath's really called to me though. (Thanks for the tip about her not being creative) Rainhands, I'm learning by reading poetry sometimes, readin a lot on the forums and writing a lot. I guess it's hard for other people to understand but i'm afraid too much will swamp my inner voice. I experiment a lot with style though, I've seen a lot in different styles. And I also read about a form, and write a poem from the definition. So it is technically an...epic...but quite easily original beause I wasn't modeling it after a specific epic I read.

She's quite catchy:

"you do not do you do not do
Anymore, black shoe"

Tell me that doesn't get stuck in your head for a week.

i cannot stand sylvia plath.

i think she was overrated and has become an easy choice for women because she is so famous... and i think that rather than challenging what she was doing, which wasn't really that good - women taught by other women especially have been led to idolize her rather than searching for and finding other women to read who both wrote better and had stronger voices.

Well we all have our different tastes.

I love Plath's poems especially "Cut". I haven't read any of her prose but I'm afraid it might be too depressing for me. Anyhow, if you like Plath I wonder if you'd also like Stevie Smith or Peter Porter. They're two other poets that have written poems that I like, namely "Black March" and "The Consumer Report".

By the way, don't be afraid of being influenced by other poets! I think it is actually very helpful and expands your capacity. At least that is my experience. I don't think it's possible to truly lose your inner voice I think reading other poetry allows you to learn how to more effectively use your inner voice.. in a way that is accessible to your reader in the same way those poems you read and like are accessible to you.

I love Sylvia Plath, I own and have read The Bell Jar, The Colossus and Ariel. There is an interesting documentary on her life on You Tube; here's the first part: YouTube - Sylvia Plath part 1 of 6

Also, if you search for her on You Tube you will find several poems read by herself. Enjoy!

Thank you for sharing this link. What a well presented documentary. I, too, own all of Slyvia's book. I've written a poem titled "Genius in a Suitcase" about her posthumous fame. I'll share it's ending.

"Isn't that the
sad case -

Opened
Once you're gone

Genius
Unfolded
Like clothing

That's been
Packed away too long

Aired out
Out of the dark -

Suddenly Outstanding."

In my mind, she was one of the best Confessional Poets.

Sylvia is perhaps, my favorite writer, or at least one of them. I have read "The Bell Jar", "The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath", and have been slowly, savoring "The Collected Poems", for months (as I don't like to read poetry quickly). To me she was often a very atmospheric writer, especially in reading her journals, I often felt immersed in the very moment she was describing. I'm very fond of imagery, (not a fan of cut and dried writing, at all), and have found some gems of images among her writing.

I love Sylvia Plath.. I think I must have read The Bell Jar about 4 times now.. I never get bored of it!.. Also 'The Journals of Sylvia Plath - 1950 - 1962' is worth a read!.. I think it's impossible not to be influenced by other writers in some way or other!

It's surprising that you've never heard of her, but congrats on the discovery. Check out The Bell Jar - actually, next year they're coming out with a movie, it's the perfect time to read and compare.

Rosie, I own all of her works except the revised edition of "Ariel'. Thank you Rainhands! And thank you Susanna, I will be at Boarders looking for "The Unabridged Journals" My work is very much influened by the Confessional Poets; Syliva, of course, then Ann Sexton and Robert Lowell who taught them both. Knowing her through her poems and "The Bell Jar", I was very disappointed in the movie.

And thank you Claudia. I can't fathom artists not reading other artists for the solid reason you mention.

Originally Posted by Erdhexe

To read great poems can only improve your own.

I found her writing to be revolting and a bore.... She was no more than a pathetic narcissistic parasite. A mediocre writer at best…I do have to say I have enjoyed ripping the shreds out of her writing and making a completely mockery of it though. Great for parodies of on an emotional cripple and the role she choose for herself. She was a failure as a human being and a great example of what not to be. Her suicide, although she took some (very little) precautions, could have gone terribly wrong for her children that were in the house at the time.... My words may seem harsh but they are simply my opinion. Her identification with a culture, faith and a people she had no concept of is rooted in her deep seated twisted need to see herself as the perpetual victim along with her truly demented "DADDY" issues... Yeah that was a run on of sorts .......I write off the cuff... As far Plath goes she was just a sick woman in dire need of extensive psychotherapy. She should have been institutionalized her entire life and prevented from reproducing ironically this would have finally at least connected her with the role she so longed for. As sick as that maybe her terrors were all from within........Her husband cheated.... so what....It in no way validates her actions or anything else...And her truly dreadful form of writing or was that whining....

This has not bee proof read... I do not proof read such things as this..

As sick as that maybe her terrors were all from within........Her husband cheated.... so what....It in no way validates her actions or anything else..

Hi, MT

Plath suffered from a severe case of Bi-Polar Disorder where there we're no medications available back then. Her actions were born of a genetic condition and there was really nothing she could do about it. I'm sure her husband's cheating only aggravated the disorder. Just needed to make this point. And I appreciate your candor. Not everything should be a "love fest" over here. Good to get a different perspective. Laurie

"She was a failure as a human being and a great example of what not to be. Her suicide, although she took some (very little) precautions, could have gone terribly wrong for her children that were in the house at the time.... My words may seem harsh but they are simply my opinion. Her identification with a culture, faith and a people she had no concept of is rooted in her deep seated twisted need to see herself as the perpetual victim along with her truly demented "DADDY" issues... Yeah that was a run on of sorts .......I write off the cuff... As far Plath goes she was just a sick woman in dire need of extensive psychotherapy. She should have been institutionalized her entire life and prevented from reproducing ironically this would have finally at least connected her with the role she so longed for. As sick as that maybe her terrors were all from within........Her husband cheated.... so what....It in no way validates her actions or anything else...And her truly dreadful form of writing or was that whining..."

With all given information about Plath, and her relationship with Hughes, and her suicide one is left in no doubt that she led a troubled life. However, a mentor of mine once said that poetry is art, and should be appreciated as such - one does not read it in order to psycho-analyze the author. Plath is not my favorite writer of all time, but when one reads her work thoroughly and with an open mind, it is hardly without merit.