"Metaphors" by Sylvia Plath by Lacey Roberts

"Metaphors" by Sylvia Plath

26robertsl — 2025-05-05 12:57:04 UTC

Read "Metaphors" by Sylvia Plath and give your evaluation of the text.

Lillia Mazzamuto

26mazzamutol — 2025-05-09 12:11:36 UTC

I have read this poem previously and I had to look up the meaning since I was not too sure what she was talking about. However, from looking it up, I found out that she is actually talking about being pregnant and how she feels throughout her pregnancy. "Boarded the train there’s no getting off." I liked this line specifically because it is saying how once you become pregnant and decide to continue on with the pregnancy you have to go through all the symptoms, emotions, etc. and there is not a way to get out of this.

Mrs. Rose

alr2 — 2025-05-09 12:13:07 UTC

I love how Plath uses such creative metaphors in her poem. They seem to be contradictory, but upon closer look, there are interesting connections between the items Plath's chooses in her metaphors. Overall the poem seems to embrace this dichotomy and give a message of movement and acceptance.

Lydia Mowers

26mowersl — 2025-05-09 12:13:11 UTC

I think this poem was interesting, there are some weird and cool metaphors and uses of language that add to it's meaning. I liked thinking about the meaning of this poem being about pregnancy, it was really cool! I could never have thought of so many metaphors for pregnancy.

Quentin Himes

2025-05-09 12:17:27 UTC

This poem is true to its name. There are nine syllables in each line as the speaker declares that he/she is a riddle in nine syllables. Each line is a metaphor which is like a riddle. It is difficult to understand until you give it thought. Each line is a metaphor that compares the speaker to different things. This entire poem is one big metaphor.

Kenzie G

2025-05-09 12:17:40 UTC

I don't like this poem very much but I can't deny it's good. The metaphors used are very descriptive, but maybe I just don't like the idea of it being so taxing and dull or embarassing. I want to have kids some day but being described as a "loaf with it's big yeasty rising" doesn't sound like tasty bread to me.

Evelyn W.

26wiedenmayere — 2025-05-09 12:24:27 UTC

Most of us have read this poem in Ms. Herrmann's class, and upon reading it again the metaphors are much more vibrant and telling. This poem is about pregnancy, and all that it entails. The comparisons to a melon, an elephant, and a loaf of bread all insinuate growth and portray pregnancy in a cozy and humorous manner. However, later in the poem the anxiety of Plath begins to show through as she describes herself purely as a vessel for life, a means to an end (baby). This highlights how she may feel that as a woman it is her job to give birth, regardless of personal feelings. Additionally, the phrase "Boarded the train there’s no getting off" insinuates how pregnancy is more than just giving birth. It is about being saddled with caring for another life as long as you live, the train you cannot get off of.