Sylvia Plath, a well-known American poet known for her evocative and introspective works, wrote the poem “The Applicant”. The poem, which was first published in 1962, parodies gender roles, societal norms, and the dehumanising aspects of contemporary consumer culture.
The poem mimics a marriage proposal or mock job interview and presents an exaggerated and distorted view of how people are frequently expected to conform to societal norms and expectations.
The poem’s speaker—possibly a male interviewer or patriarchal society representative—asks the “applicant” a series of intrusive and dehumanising questions. The questions concern fitting in with societal ideals, including those of appearance, personality, and even physical characteristics.
The commodification of people in a consumer-driven society is a theme Plath explores throughout the poem with biting sarcasm and dark humour. The applicant is reduced to a mere product to be judged and evaluated during the interview process, making it a dehumanising transaction.
The poem also addresses issues of gender roles’ pervasive influence and power relationships. Plath questions the notion that marriage or conformity is the ultimate goal for women’s fulfilment and questions the traditional expectations placed on women.
The vivid and grotesque imagery in “The Applicant” contrasts absurd and surreal descriptions with images of domesticity and social expectations. This highlights the absurdity and artificiality of the expectations placed on people by society and induces a feeling of unease and disorientation.
The poem’s refrain, “You’re our sort of person,” is repeated at the end, implying that compliance and conformity are desirable traits for social acceptance. Readers are prompted to think critically about the social conventions and expectations that limit individuality and authenticity by Plath’s use of irony and satire.
“The Applicant” is a biting indictment of gender norms, societal conformity, and the objectification of people in a consumerist culture. It is a reflection of Plath’s own experiences with and viewpoints on the restrictions and pressures imposed on people, particularly women, to conform to societal ideals.
The poem showcases Plath’s skillful use of language, her ability to evoke a range of emotions, and her sharp commentary on the complexities of human existence. It remains a thought-provoking and resonant work that challenges readers to examine the societal pressures and expectations that shape their lives.
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