The month of flowering’s finished. The fruit’s in,
Eaten or rotten. I am all mouth.
October’s the month for storage.

Thie shed’s fusty as a mummy’s stomach:
Old tools, handles and rusty tusks.
I am at home here among the dead heads.

Let me sit in a flowerpot,
The spiders won’t notice.
My heart is a stopped geranium.

If only the wind would leave my lungs alone.
Dogsbody noses the petals. They bloom upside down.
They rattle like hydrangea bushes.

Mouldering heads console me,
Nailed to the rafters yesterday:
Inmates who don’t hibernate.

Cabbageheads: wormy purple, silver-glaze,
A dressing of mule ears, mothy pelts, but green-hearted,
Their veins white as porkfat.

O the beauty of usage!
The orange pumpkins have no eyes.
These halls are full of women who think they are birds.

This is a dull school.
I am a root, a stone, an owl pellet,
Without dreams of any sort.

Mother, you are the one mouth
I would be a tongue to. Mother of otherness
Eat me. Wastebasket gaper, shadow of doorways.

I said: I must remember this, being small.
There were such enormous flowers,
Purple and red mouths, utterly lovely.

The hoops of blackberry stems made me cry.
Now they light me up like an electric bulb.
For weeks I can remember nothing at all.

“Who” by Sylvia Plath is a deeply introspective poem that delves into the complexities of human emotion and the existential struggle against emptiness and isolation. Through a careful analysis of its themes, imagery, and structure, we can uncover the layers of meaning within this evocative piece of literature.

Themes of Emptiness and Isolation: One of the central themes of the poem is the pervasive sense of emptiness and isolation experienced by the speaker. This is conveyed through imagery such as the barrenness of October, the decaying shed, and the speaker’s own feeling of being “all mouth.” The use of the first-person perspective and intimate language draws the reader into the speaker’s inner world, where they can empathize with her sense of loneliness and detachment.

Nature and Decay: Plath employs vivid nature imagery throughout the poem to underscore themes of decay and impermanence. The changing seasons, rotting fruit, and decaying shed serve as metaphors for the passage of time and the inevitability of death. This imagery not only adds depth to the poem but also reflects the speaker’s own feelings of stagnation and futility in the face of life’s transience.

Surrealism and Symbolism: The poem contains elements of surrealism, with images like the flowers blooming upside down and the speaker’s heart being compared to a stopped geranium. These surreal touches add to the dreamlike quality of the poem and invite multiple interpretations. Additionally, the use of symbolism, such as the shed and the flowers, allows for deeper exploration of the poem’s themes and motifs.

Desire for Connection and Comfort: Despite the pervasive sense of emptiness, there is also a longing for connection and comfort expressed throughout the poem. The speaker seeks solace in memories of nature and childhood, as well as in the imagined embrace of her mother. This desire for connection highlights the universal human need for love and understanding in the face of existential despair.

Structural Elements: The poem is divided into several stanzas, each with its own distinct imagery and mood. This structure allows for a gradual unfolding of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions, building tension and complexity as the poem progresses. The use of enjambment and varied line lengths further contributes to the poem’s musicality and rhythm, drawing the reader deeper into its emotional landscape.

In conclusion, “Who” by Sylvia Plath is a rich and multi-layered poem that explores themes of emptiness, isolation, and the search for meaning in a seemingly indifferent world. Through its evocative imagery, surrealistic elements, and intimate language, the poem offers a profound meditation on the human condition and the enduring struggle to find connection and purpose amidst the chaos of existence.