"Ariel" is a collection of poems by Sylvia Plath, published posthumously in 1965. The poems in the collection are known for their intense, confessional style and their use of vivid imagery and figurative language. Plath's poetry has been widely studied and analyzed, and "Ariel" is no exception. In this essay, we will critically appreciate the collection by examining its themes, style, and impact.
One of the most prominent themes in "Ariel" is the struggle for self-discovery and identity. Many of the poems in the collection explore the speaker's internal struggles and their search for meaning in a world that often seems confusing and hostile. For example, in the poem "Lady Lazarus," the speaker compares herself to a phoenix rising from the ashes, suggesting that she has experienced great suffering but has also been able to find strength and resilience in the face of it. This theme is particularly relevant to Plath's own life, as she struggled with depression and mental illness and ultimately took her own life at the age of 30.
Another important theme in "Ariel" is the relationship between the natural world and the human experience. Many of the poems in the collection make use of vivid, sensory imagery to describe the natural world and its beauty, but they also explore the ways in which nature can be destructive and dangerous. For example, in the poem "The Munich Mannequins," the speaker describes the "dead hands" and "blue eyes" of mannequins, which are used to sell clothing, and then goes on to describe the "white teeth" of a "great white shark," suggesting that the man-made world and the natural world are both potentially predatory. This theme is further developed in the poem "The Applicant," in which the speaker describes the process of being "stripped and fitted" for a "suit of lives," suggesting that the human experience is often one of being reduced to a series of roles and expectations.
In terms of style, "Ariel" is known for its use of vivid imagery and figurative language. Plath's poems often make use of metaphors, similes, and other literary devices to convey meaning and emotion. For example, in the poem "Cut," the speaker describes feeling "the red stalk" of a "razor blade" against her skin, using a metaphor to convey the emotional pain of self-harm. Plath's use of imagery is particularly powerful in conveying the speaker's internal struggles and emotions, and it helps to make the poems in "Ariel" highly evocative and memorable.
The impact of "Ariel" has been significant. The collection was published posthumously, just a few months after Plath's death, and it quickly gained a wide readership. Many readers were drawn to the intense, confessional style of the poems, as well as their use of vivid imagery and figurative language. "Ariel" has also been widely studied and analyzed by literary critics, who have examined the themes and style of the poems in depth. In addition, "Ariel" has had a lasting impact on the literary world, influencing a generation of poets and writers who were inspired by Plath's work.
Overall, "Ariel" is a powerful and thought-provoking collection of poems that explores themes of self-discovery, identity, and the relationship between the natural world and the human experience. Its use of vivid imagery and figurative language make it highly evocative and memorable, and its impact on the literary world has been significant.