Lament by Sylvia Plath Analysis

The sting of bees took away my father
who walked in a swarming shroud of wings
and scorned the tick of the falling weather.

Lightning licked in a yellow lather
but missed the mark with snaking fangs:
the sting of bees took away my father.

Trouncing the sea like a ragin bather,
he rode the flood in a pride of prongs
and scorned the tick of the falling weather.

A scowl of sun struck down my mother,
tolling her grave with golden gongs,
but the sting of bees took away my father.

He counted the guns of god a bother,
laughed at the ambush of angels’ tongues,
and scorned the tick of the falling weather.

O ransack the four winds and find another
man who can mangle the grin of kings:
the sting of bees took away my father
who scorned the tick of the falling weather.

“Lament” by Sylvia Plath is a deeply emotional poem that explores the speaker’s grief and the impact of loss on her family. Through vivid imagery and repetition, Plath conveys the intensity of the speaker’s feelings and the lasting influence of her father’s death.

The poem begins with the powerful line, “The sting of bees took away my father,” immediately setting the tone for the rest of the poem. This metaphorical language suggests a sudden and unexpected loss, adding to the sense of shock and devastation felt by the speaker.

Throughout the poem, the speaker describes her father as someone who was intimately connected to nature, “who walked in a swarming shroud of wings.” This imagery evokes a sense of closeness to the natural world and suggests that the speaker’s father had a deep appreciation for its beauty and complexity.

The repetition of the phrase “the sting of bees took away my father” emphasizes the central event of the poem and highlights its significance in the speaker’s life. This repetition also serves to reinforce the speaker’s sense of loss and longing for her father.

The poem also explores the speaker’s father’s defiance in the face of adversity, as seen in lines such as “and scorned the tick of the falling weather.” This suggests that he was a strong and resilient figure, unafraid to confront challenges head-on.

In contrast to the speaker’s father, the poem briefly mentions the death of her mother, who is described as being struck down by the “scowl of sun.” This juxtaposition highlights the suddenness and unpredictability of death, as well as the speaker’s complex emotions surrounding the loss of both parents.

The speaker reflects on her father’s attitude towards religion and mortality, describing how he “counted the guns of god a bother” and “laughed at the ambush of angels’ tongues.” This suggests that he had a rebellious spirit and was unafraid to challenge traditional beliefs.

The poem concludes with a defiant challenge to find another man who can match the speaker’s father’s strength and charisma. This serves as a testament to the lasting impact of her father’s death and the profound void it has left in her life.

“Lament” is a moving exploration of grief, resilience, and the enduring legacy of loved ones. Through its evocative imagery and repetition, Sylvia Plath captures the complexity of the speaker’s emotions and the profound impact of loss on her family.