https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9 Traditional Approach en-us 2017-04-24 14:22:11 UTC 2017-05-17 01:29:11 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/Apple.png teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/167848008
I have done it again.
One year in every ten
I manage it--


A sort of walking miracle, my skin
Bright as a Nazi lampshade,
My right foot


A paperweight,
My face a featureless, fine
Jew linen.


Peel off the napkin
O my enemy.
Do I terrify?--



The nose, the eye pits, the full set of teeth?
The sour breath
Will vanish in a day.


Soon, soon the flesh
The grave cave ate will be
At home on me



And I a smiling woman.
I am only thirty.
And like the cat I have nine times to die.


This is Number Three.
What a trash
To annihilate each decade.


What a million filaments.
The peanut-crunching crowd
Shoves in to see


Them unwrap me hand and foot--
The big strip tease.
Gentlemen, ladies


These are my hands
My knees.
I may be skin and bone,


Nevertheless, I am the same, identical woman.
The first time it happened I was ten.
It was an accident.


The second time I meant
To last it out and not come back at all.
I rocked shut


As a seashell.
They had to call and call
And pick the worms off me like sticky pearls.


Dying
Is an art, like everything else.
I do it exceptionally well.


I do it so it feels like hell.
I do it so it feels real.
I guess you could say I've a call.


It's easy enough to do it in a cell.
It's easy enough to do it and stay put.
It's the theatrical


Comeback in broad day
To the same place, the same face, the same brute
Amused shout:


'A miracle!'
That knocks me out.
Thee is a charge


For the eyeing of my scars, there is a charge
For the hearing of my heart--
It really goes.


And there is a charge, a very large charge
For a word or a touch
Or a bit of blood


Or a piece of my hair or my clothes.
So, so, Herr Doktor.
So, Herr Enemy.


I am your opus,
I am your valuable,
The pure gold baby


That melts to a shriek.
I turn and burn.
Do not think I underestimate your great concern.


Ash, ash--
You poke and stir.
Flesh, bone, there is nothing there—



A cake of soap,
A wedding ring,
A gold filling.


Herr God, Herr Lucifer
Beware
Beware.


Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.


]]> 2017-04-24 14:36:45 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/167848008 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168170651 2017-04-25 16:56:51 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168170651 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418730 Plath had three death-related experiences. The first of them occurred when she was almost drowned at the age of ten, and at the age of twenty, she attempted suicide and overdosed on sleeping pills.Finally on the age of thirty, she succeeded in killing herself.
Thus, the line "One year in every ten" refers to these experiences which occur once in every ten years.

]]> 2017-04-26 15:57:59 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418730 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418824 Multiple attempts at suicide, but like a cat, seems to have several lives.]]> 2017-04-26 15:58:14 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418824 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418828 2017-04-26 15:58:14 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168418828 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419121 "This is Number Three." 
This line refers to Plath's successful suicide attempt.

]]> 2017-04-26 15:58:56 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419121 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419251 Tried to commit suicide by overdosing on sleeping pills, and was almost successful]]> 2017-04-26 15:59:18 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419251 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419253 "Shoves in to see / Them unwrap me"
This line maybe refers to the electroshock and psychotherapy that she underwent.

]]> 2017-04-26 15:59:18 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419253 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419600 The paper weight could be a reference to her husband who brought her down through his infidelity and emotional abuse . ]]> 2017-04-26 16:00:22 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419600 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419639 2017-04-26 16:00:30 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419639 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419686 Referring to her accident at the age of 10 when she almost drowned.

]]> 2017-04-26 16:00:41 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419686 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419845 2017-04-26 16:01:12 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419845 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419852 Refers to how Plath is still alive after experiencing near-death several times.]]> 2017-04-26 16:01:13 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168419852 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420007 'Doktor' is a German word for a medical doctor or a person who has a PhD. Possibly Sylvia Plath meant her father, who is German and a professor, in this line since she thought he was guilty for refusing medical treatment.

]]> 2017-04-26 16:01:40 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420007 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420225 Plath had two relationships which was unsuccessful, and probably they did darken her view of men. So that is why she might want to eat men. In addition, she might have thought that her father, whom his death brought sadness to Plath, committed suicide since he did not seek treatment. Thus, this gives Plath all the more reason to "eat men".

]]> 2017-04-26 16:02:20 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420225 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420331 This can be connected to her loss of faith after her father has passed away.

]]> 2017-04-26 16:02:41 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420331 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420694 Plath is expressing how she won't disregard how her death will negatively affect others.]]> 2017-04-26 16:03:42 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420694 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420771 2017-04-26 16:03:56 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420771 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420953 She is feeling depressed and sad but she doesn't show it because at first people see an accomplished smiling thirty year old and automatically think that she is happy but on the inside she is depressed.  ]]> 2017-04-26 16:04:29 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168420953 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421047  Refers to when she crawled into the cellar of her family home to attempt suicide.]]> 2017-04-26 16:04:48 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421047 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421110 father died when plath was 8, complications following the amputation o his foot]]> 2017-04-26 16:04:58 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421110 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421202 Possibly referring to her husband that abandoned her since he had an affair, 2 years after the birth of their daughter.]]> 2017-04-26 16:05:14 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421202 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421350 "And there is a charge"
This line possibly refers again to the electroshock and psychotherapy which Plath underwent for six months.

]]> 2017-04-26 16:05:40 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421350 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421478 Plath never tries to die in the least painful way and the fact that she fails her attempts cause her more pain and suffering]]> 2017-04-26 16:06:05 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421478 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421664 2017-04-26 16:06:41 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421664 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421723 Dying is like an escape from all the difficulties Plath suffered in her life including depression, the loss of her father, feeling marginalized, and worthlessness. She does it so it feels "real." An escape from feeling numb, the feeling of being real, alive, and free from all these burdens in her life.]]> 2017-04-26 16:06:53 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421723 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421879 2017-04-26 16:07:32 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421879 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421893 the miracle is her being alive after her overdose and the charge is a refrence to the electroshock and pyschotherapy]]> 2017-04-26 16:07:35 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168421893 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422400 she likened her father to a nazi physician ]]> 2017-04-26 16:09:29 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422400 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422834 Her heartache after her husband leaves her]]> 2017-04-26 16:10:53 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422834 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422886 2017-04-26 16:11:03 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422886 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422894 Refers to how Plath has successfully committed suicide after many attempts.]]> 2017-04-26 16:11:04 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422894 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422936 her failing marriage that left her with two kids

]]> 2017-04-26 16:11:11 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168422936 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423078 the pure gold baby is a direct reference to her miscarriage ]]> 2017-04-26 16:11:37 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423078 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423163 2017-04-26 16:11:51 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423163 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423185 Could mean that although she had therapists she could have felt as she was never really helped]]> 2017-04-26 16:11:55 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423185 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423254 Plath referring to all the things that used to be of worth in her life, but now are completely irrelevant. She is set free from the responsibilities of being a a daughter, a wife, and a mother. ]]> 2017-04-26 16:12:09 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423254 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423551 Herr Doktor refers to here father, represented as a physician. ]]> 2017-04-26 16:13:07 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423551 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423794 when she first met her to be husband and in a display of passion bit him hard on the cheek which drew blood]]> 2017-04-26 16:13:50 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168423794 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424018 2017-04-26 16:14:33 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424018 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424467 the death of her father spread powerful imagery that carried on through her whole life

]]> 2017-04-26 16:15:59 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424467 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424586 her fans adoring her and always watching and offering support "crunching peanuts"]]> 2017-04-26 16:16:21 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424586 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424750 used holocaust imagery in her poems to represent the anger, loss and violent feelings ]]> 2017-04-26 16:16:48 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168424750 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425163 before she went for her suicide attempt she told people she was going on a walk but they went out and called and called as she wouldn't come back]]> 2017-04-26 16:17:52 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425163 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425337 The brute could be a reference to her husband who was abusive and that every day she comes back from work to face his abuse. ]]> 2017-04-26 16:18:10 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425337 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425637 it is ironic because before her death she sent a note to her neighbour to call a doctor, suggesting she does not want to kill herself]]> 2017-04-26 16:18:54 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168425637 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426137 Featureless , fine linen could be a reference to how she feels that she is empty blank and has no depth]]> 2017-04-26 16:20:21 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426137 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426458 2017-04-26 16:21:12 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426458 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426651 some great force grabs a hold of her and turns death to life in her writing ]]> 2017-04-26 16:21:44 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426651 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426840 "Flesh,bone, there is nothing there..." could be a reference to how she views herself as just flesh and bone but that she has no personality ]]> 2017-04-26 16:22:16 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426840 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426852 2017-04-26 16:22:17 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168426852 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168427464 Foreshadowing and leading up to her planned suicide.]]> 2017-04-26 16:24:13 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168427464 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168428555 talking aboutTed hughes, showing her anger]]> 2017-04-26 16:27:30 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168428555 https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168432139 Ironic that she would say this when she has attempted suicide twice and came away unsucessful.]]> 2017-04-26 16:38:34 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168432139 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168433234 Peeling off the napkin - exposing many of Plath's inner struggles that were not necessarily well known]]> 2017-04-26 16:42:01 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168433234 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168434006 *Vanishing in a day - literally her? Will she be quickly forgotten?
*Struggle with mental health issues may lead to the idea that she is only at "home" in death]]> 2017-04-26 16:44:20 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168434006 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168437217 Peanut crunching crowd as the "spectators" - she like a performance/circus that everyone is watching and analyzing (theatrical performance)]]> 2017-04-26 16:53:29 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168437217 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168681431 Plath continues to experience the same things over and over again - no escape
The theatrical element refers to Plath's continuous revival and her deeming herself a miracle in control of her own life and death

]]> 2017-04-27 16:09:39 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168681431 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168686038 "I am your opus..." - possible idea that Plath sees herself as a possession of others

The fact that she sees herself as an "opus" and "valuable" reflects the fact that again, she considers herself superior, amazing, etc. 

Consider also the contrast to the lines below - "That melts to a shriek..." - suggests weakness, vulnerability, loss of identity, etc.]]> 2017-04-27 16:22:13 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168686038 teixeiram https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168689894 Possible Holocaust reference with respect to the melting, burning, ash - link to Plath's own suffering

Foreshadowing her own death via oven]]> 2017-04-27 16:33:51 UTC https://padlet.com/teixeiram/bzclvgmkzpx9/wish/168689894