July-August 2002
Nick, New Zealander Christine Jeffs is directing the Sylvia Plath film. She directed a rather popular indie film called Rain. I have yet to see it but it's supposed to be an excellent film. I believe the original director for the Plath film was British but I can't be entirely certain on that.Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Friday, August 30, 2002
I am very pleased that a film about Sylvia Plath is being made. Although I haven't seen A Perfect Mind I imagine the upcoming movie about Plath to be a sort of "Perfect Mind" with the sexual roles switched. Plath certainly had a perfect mind and her own particular genius, as well as illness. I do hope somebody out there in filmland realizes that the one director ideally suited for a Sylvia Plath film is the English director Ken Russell. Not only is he great at re-telling the lives of eccentric artists, his own vision is replete with Plath-like imagery, is filled with a dark sexual energy, and is, of course, pure gothic. (See all his films--especially e.g., Lair of the White Worm, Gothic, Tommy, Crimes of Passion, The Fall of the House of Usher, the music videos for Phantom of the Opera, etc..) In a perfect world, Ken Russell would direct a Sylvia Plath film and mold it to his own unique and often startling vision. Just a wonderful thought. But dare we trust an Englishman of dark, violent genius to present Sylvia Plath to the world?--again.Nick Law
Indiana, USA
Friday, August 30, 2002
I'm posting the lyrics to the Paul Westerberg song "Crackle and Drag" for Pam. A couple notes first about the song. It has not yet been recorded. I've transcribed the lyrics as best I could from a live show he did a few weeks ago. Paul is notorious for changing lyrics to songs, sometimes on the spot, so the recorded version may be somewhat different. A word of warning, the song is dark, a bit macabre, so I hope nobody is offended. Lastly, Paul told someone after a recent show that the song will be on a soundtrack, I don't know if this was referring to the Paltrow movie.
Click here for the lyricsSteve Conn
Folsom, USA
Friday, August 30, 2002
"Letters Home" is based on the book of the same title. The weaves the enigmatic Sylvia Plath with her mother, Aurelia, moving us through childhood, marriage and Sylvia's ultimate suicide with warmth, humor and dignity. A poetic dance and must see for all.
"Letters Home" runs for two weeks only. September 12 to 22 at Arts Knowlton Playhouse, 9 Mont Echo Road in the pituresque village of Knowlton. In the heart of Lac Brome: 90 minutes from Plattsburg, NY - 20 minutes from New Port, VM. Tickets are $15.00 Canadian. Group rates are available. Thursday and Sunday Matinees. For reservations and info (450) 538 0921 - storyland3@hotmail.com.Chris Freeman
Knowlton, Canada
Friday, August 30, 2002
I am a student at UCSD and have recently stumbled on a quote by Sylvia. It reads as so
I love people. Everybody. I love them, I think, as a stamp collector loves his collection. Every story, every incident, every bit of conversation is raw material for me. My love's not impersonal yet not wholly subjective either. I would like to be everyone, a cripple, a dying man, a whore, and then come back to write about my thoughts, my emotions, as that person. but I am not omniscient. I have to live my life, and it is the only one I'll ever have.
Any comments on this will be greatly appreciated. I have read these lines a hundred times, to me she is saying that she wants to live in a fairy tale land but must live in reality.
Marcus
San Diego, USA
Friday, August 30, 2002
The London Review of Books (22 August 2002 issue) has an article by Jacqueline Rose about her dispute with the Plath estate over her book The Haunting of Sylvia Plath and specifically with Ted Hughes over her interpretation of "The Rabbit Catcher."
Sample quote: "...if biography is relevant to the work of Sylvia Plath, this does not make the work biographical."
Michael Gates
Jersey City, USA
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Jaqueline Rose writes about biographical and interpretive difficulties when writing about Plath: She quotes from correspondence with Hughes, in which it becomes clear that Hughes the father conflicts with Hughes the writer, who must certainly understand the value of interpretation and close readings.Pamela
Boston, USA
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
Can anyone out there give me the year that "Lorelei" was written? Thanks!Patti Adams
Bradenton, USA
Tuesday, August 27, 2002
You may be interested in my article Sylvia Plath: American Gorgon, which can be found hereJames Reich
Bath, UK
Sunday, August 18, 2002
Eddie, To balance your views a bit you should read Ted Hughes: The Life of a Poet by Elaine Feinstein. There is also a book coming out called Her Husband by Diane Middlebrook next year. While, TH may not have conducted himself in an appropriate manner during the end up his marriage...he didnt put a gun to Sylvia's head. Biographies can be amazingly one sided (especially, I would say, Rough Magic) and this is why, if you're interested, its fun to read both sides of the issue. Ultimately, though, Plath's work is the most important focus and is also the most enriching aspect (although I also believe that knowing the aspects of her life can help to understand her poetry). I can't say its "wrong" to judge TH if you feel so inclined and I've learned that you can't really be neutral on the subject but I kind of like seeing both sides of the picture instead of just one perception. :)Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Thursday, August 15, 2002
Stefania, Hello! I've been to the Smith archives several times. Anyone may visit them and peruse the Plath archive! They have an amazing collection of letters, poem drafts and some photos of Plath as well as memoribilia. You can contact the Rare Book Room at Smith College by visiting their web site www.smith.edu. If you have any further questions feel free to email me.Peter K Steinberg
Boston, USA
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
I'm not a poem reader. The details of each word, in what context, in what relation is my own ignorance and/or laziness. My link to Sylvia is her life. We are vastly different yet we share the same plight. We are both seeking perfection. This is an endeavor that can't be had. I seek to understand, however, what could have brought her to a final act of suicide. The only reason I come up with is she was simply narrow sighted. Some people are born to commit crimes. Some are born to not accept selflessness. She saw minute details of life yet she couldn't see the big picture. To take one's life is too self centered. too selfish. She could have enriched her childrens lives even more. She could have enriched our lives even more. She ultimately made her own choice to deprive her children and us by taking her life. Her achievements were great, her work ethics were (to me) admirable, more than I will probably ever achieve, and I admire her for that. But to rob us of her future is tragic.!
I curse the ignorance of Ted Hughes. Based on what I've read in the biographies, Ted Hughes was a typical man whose penis ruled. Did he love her? In his mind yes. Was he man enough to endure - no. I curse Ted Hughes. He was a womanizer according to many books. Not a man in my book. Sylvia had her own faults as we all do. This doesn't excuse Ted's failure to take his vow of marriage sacred. I would suffer along with Sylvia. Marriage is devotion, it is sacred. No exceptions. Yet in the end it was Sylvia's sick mind that ruled her destiny. I love Sylvia... I am saddend by her choice. Why am I drawn to her life? More so than by her works? She was dead years before I was born. Yet her life is full of achievements I will never know. What was she searching for? What was she searching for? She had it all in my mind. Was it simply a biological shortcoming that drives criminals to be criminals, great people of great deeds to be great people of great deeds? I love Sylvia and yet I hate her for leaving me with this question. I could never commit suicide but I don't know wether to blame her or others that surrounded her. I'm currently reading Rough Magic. I've read all the other biographies on Sylvia. I admire her and I fell in love with her. I still am confused by her.
Eddie Carpenter
Frisco, Texas, USA
Tuesday, August 13, 2002
Hello. I have not posted before but I have been reading the comments for a little while. Does anyone know exactly where SP's journals and things are at Smith College and if the public is even allowed into that room? ThanksStefania
Massachusetts, USA
Friday, August 9, 2002
There is no doubt about it Ted Hughes died with a lot on his conscience! Frieda obviously feels a responsibility to carry the torch for her parents. Frieda's story is one I have been waiting for; but since her memory from the age of three cannot be relied on, her opinion of her mother will be only hearsay, (mostly from Olwyn). Still, an account of her own life will be interesting to read, preferably in prose. It is sad that this enormous shadow has darkened the whole lives of Frieda and her brother, and no amount of money could compensate for that. To be charitable, perhaps this is an attempt to rid herself of that shadow, in which case big revelations will be made to lay the ghost to rest at last. But somehow I feel that neither Frieda or her publisher will want to do that. It is always more titillating (and profitable) to leave some things unsaid. It keeps people on the edge of their seats waiting for the sequel. You know, the cliff- hanger, the dots at the ! end of the page........ and after all writing is in her blood. In a way she is lucky that she has a perpetual subject to write about, she will never have to sit around scratching her head wondering what to write about next. The only trouble is if she ever tries to change the subject, will anyone be interested?Cressida Hope-Bunting
Alabama, USA
Friday, August 9, 2002
It seems to me that Nick Hughes sticks to himself and gets on with his own life. I'm sure Frieda discussed her plans with him before going through with her plans. "40 Years" will be poetry and paintings so I dont think it can be put in the same league as a traditional autobiography. Even though my initial thoughts were that she's cashing in (which doesnt have anything to do with how much or how little money she presently has) I now think Frieda is choosing an original and inventive way of having her say. I've always been interested in her paintings so to be able to view them in this book is what I'm looking forward to most of all.Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Friday, August 9, 2002
The fact that Frieda went with Nesta can probably be seen as a manner to cash in like some people are tempted to believe, but does she really need the money, with her father's estate and the legacy of her mother, I have to believe she is probably not very thight for cash.
In my opinion, she is using the Nesta program because it is available and she probably pays a lot of taxes like most British citizen, why not use it; she did meet the conditions of admissibility.
One last thing, she wants to say her piece, what is her brother's opinion on that, many family feuds have started over these tell all books. I have the funny feeling that we have not heard everything about this story and it might turn into a saga in the coming months.
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
Rehan - thank you for posting the article. Just a couple of personal observations. From the beginning of the article, the biased attitude of the writer (what the hell is a 'Social Affairs Editor?") is clear - Frieda is 'cashing in' on her parents lives, after years of 'lashing out' at others who, in her eyes, have done the same.
While it appears that this project does not fit into the basic aim of the fund (inventors marketing their ideas), Nesta apparently feels that the grant is covered under their 'mission statement'. It would be interesting to see what kind of criteria they applied to their selection(s)for grants, but as a government lottery (yes?) it would stand to reason that they understand that they are accountable to the public. Ergo, I would expect that they are able to back up their reasons for grant selections. Or perhaps that's just in a perfect world, where governments are benevolent and kindly.
Also, I assume that Frieda applied specifically to Nesta for money. Therefore she must have felt that her project was within the perameters for the grant - otherwise, why make the effort. The only other question is why not just write the book and submit it to her publishers - surely there is an audience for it. There must be some reason for her to apply for a grant. Perhaps she feels it will be regarded as a less mercenary approach by the public, however the Sunday Times may feel?
Regarding the privacy issue: my first reaction is that this is an attempt at reclamation for Frieda - much as Birthday Letters was for her father. In which case I can hardly begrudge her the means and opportunity to say her piece. Certainly Ted Hughes may have been an example to her, when he commented that he might have had a more fruitful career had he published the BL poems earlier. Perhaps Frieda feels the same about her own life and work.
She's not a stupid woman - she must have thought the project over carefully - and considered the public reaction - before she decided to go through with it. Finally, her comment that "everybody thought they saw my parents. I saw something else." Certainly, I can see the truth of this statement with regard to her father, who only died a few years ago. But as she was not yet 3 when her mother died, I am rather more skeptical about her having seen 'something else' with regard to her mother. In any case, I would rather see what the end result is and go from there, rather than to pre-judge her or her reasons. Her whole life, through no fault of her own, has been dominated by her parents and their stories. She has a right, as their daughter, to reclaim something of them for herself, and to reclaim her own place in the world.
Kim
Detroit, USA
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
Rehan, Thanks for the Sunday Times article. I find this all extremely interesting--but I was looking forward to seeing the "new photo of Frieda". Can someone email it? And, BTW, does anyone know what a "maths agony aunt" might be?Jim Long
Honolulu, USA
Wednesday, August 7, 2002
Aloha Jim - nice to hear from you again! I personally couldn't agree more. But as I pointed out previously, it's not what I or you believe, it is what the writer believed that has to be factored into any discussion of their work. Both Hughes and Plath wrote of "fixed stars govern(ing) a life" - what's interesting is why they wrote this and did they indeed believe it, etc. Occultism (for lack of a better blanket term) may only be part of their work, but it's a part worth studying - and an aspect that has too often been dismissed as 'dotty' or 'embarassing'.Kim
Detroit, USA
Tuesday, August 6, 2002
Kim, RE: Plath/Hughes and astrology, I would just refer you to the Bard:Men at some time are masters of their fates: The fault, dear Brutus is not in our stars, But in ourselves...
Julius Caesar, Act 1, Sc. 2Jim Long
Honolulu, USA
Monday, August 5, 2002
There was an article in yesterday's paper (The Sunday Times. 4 August 2002) with a new photograph of Frieda. Personally I was quite offended for various reasons. Frieda & Nicholas have, in the past, notoriously defended their right to privacy. Secondly the lottery grant is hardly charity! You need to sign up for a membership so here's the article in full.
Is anybody going to Poetry International 2002 in October this year? (I Am) & Frieda will be reciting some of her own poetry there for the first time!
Rehan A Qayoom
London, England
Monday, August 5, 2002
I don't have anything against Paltrow playing Plath except that they'll have to do a bit of physical altering. Plath was *not* a blond (only for a short period of time and that was bleached) which means that Paltrow will have to alter her locks to the appropriate shade (mousy brown according to Bitter Fame :) not only that but she'll also have to wear contacts to turn her eyes brown instead of the blue they already are (this "is, of course, if they want to make Paltrow look realistic as Plath). Paltrow was good in Shakespeare in Love" and I think this role, if done well and not being treated as a Paltrow "showcase", could further her reputation as a good dramatic actress (I still rather Cate Blanchett however).If Plath had been British this would have been another role for Paltrow to show off her impeccable British accent but unfortunately for Paltrow she wasnt :).
As far as Crowe is concerned...I've always liked him so I wouldnt mind seeing him portray TH. It's too bad it hasnt been confirmed who has been cast as TH. British actor Colin Firth (Bridget Jones's Diary, The Importance of Being Ernest), whom I also like and also wouldnt mind seeing in the role, has been mentioned for the part as well. We'll just have to wait and see. :)
Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Monday, August 5, 2002
Hi, I'm a student studying Sylvia Plath's 'Blackberrying' and was overjoyed when I stumbled across this site as a blind man is when he finds his staff. It's not that I don't strictly understand the poem. I find it deeply moving,or rather affecting, invoking something of a stifling claustrophobia at times as though the words themselves surround and suffocate their reader. But part of my assignment is to retrieve the views of other, erudite people, as yourselves! who hold perhaps contrasting views to my own and who could thus then ratify the aura of ambiguity that encircled not only the likes of Plath's work but also her notorious and tragic personal life. Any comments on pivotal themes, metaphors, similes, etc, would be highly appreciated.Kimberley
Manchester, England
Sunday, August 4, 2002
Personally, I think that Gwyneth Paltrow is an EXCELLENT choice to play Sylvia Plath. She will portray the slender sensitive Plath beautifully, and her English accent is impeccable, (although Plath's was not). I am not a particular fan of either Gwyneth Platrow or Russell Crowe, but I think both of them would work very well in the parts of Sylvia and Ted. To the person who has never seen Gwyneth Paltrow do anything noteworthy, perhaps this is her chance.
After all she DOES share a connection with Ted in her Welsh name, her first, and his last!
Cressida Hope-Bunting
Alabama, USA
Sunday, August 4, 2002
I think the interview with Elisabeth Bowen was published in Madamoiselle considering that Plath was in New York as guest editor at that time. Since she wasnt guest editing for any other additional magazine (unless someone knows something I dont) then odds are it was published in Madamoiselle.P.M Hirst
Nova Scotia, Canada
Sunday, August 4, 2002
Hello Jen and all, Hughes interest in and use of astrology did not decline as the years passed. Indeed, the publication date (28? January 1998) of Birthday Letters itself was determined astrologically, as were other publication dates of his books. Since Hughes', and to an extent Plath's, occult interests and beliefs are usually considered by most critics and readers to be a fringe element, and somewhat embarassing, they are usually not discussed in any depth.
Despite Hughes' use of astrology in BL, especially in the St. Botolph's poem, Erica Wagner in Ariel's Gift, the first book length study of BL's doesn't even mention the word astrology. And Elaine Feinstein's biography of Hughes barely touches on his interest in astrology, alchemy and shamanism. Now, to me it doesn't matter if you believe in astrology or not; the fact that Hughes did must be taken into account.
Readers have noted the fatalistic tone of BL, much of which may have been a result of Hughes' belief in astrology. It's a key element of the book which many find puzzling and/or exasperating. Neil Spencer's True as the Stars Above (Victor Gallacz, London, 2000) devotes several pages to Hughes and Plath and the astrological details of 'St. Botolph's'.
Dr. Ann Skea, a friend of Hughes' is also working on a book detailing her theory that Hughes used the Tarot cards and the Cabbala - both intertwined with astrology - to shape and order the Birthday Letter poems. You can find what she has written on the subject at her website.
I think there is some information on Hughes 'occult interests in E. Faas' The Unaccommodated Universe (Black Sparrow Press, Santa Barbara, 1980) as well. A more 'obscure' publication, Apollon: The Journal of Psychological Astrology, Issue 2, April 1999. has an interesting article by John Etherington about Hughes' and Plath's birthcharts and horoscopes.
Apparently the Hughes archives at Emory in Atlanta holds numerous letters in which Hughes wrote about astrology and it's practical applications to friends like W.S. Merwin and Lucas Myers, throughout his life. And Modernist Alchemy: Poetry and the Occult by Timothy Materer has a nice section devoted to both Plath and Hughes. There is one other book called True Crime Astrology (I forget who the author is) which has a chapter on Plath's suicide and the astrological aspects of her life and death.
Hughes was born on August 17, 1930 in Mytholmryod, England (no publication has ever given an exact time of birth, which is necessary to draw up a truly accurate chart. ) Plath was born at 2:10pm on October 27, 1932 in Boston, Mass. You might want to try the on-line astrological site Astrodienst to do your own Hughes and Plath charts.
Kim
Detroit, USA
Thursday, August 1, 2002
Like another person from your message archive, I too, am horrified that Gywneth Paltrow has been suggested 'right for', let alone 'offered ' and 'confirmed' for the role of Sylvia Plath. Although an ordinary capable actress, with extraordinary heritage and opportunity, she does not have the depth or ability to captivate an audience, in order to take on this legendary person, and I have yet to be moved by anything of the work she has offered us.
I was also shocked to read an article from a high profile magazine that stated that friends such as Jennifer Jason Leigh had encouraged her to do the role years ago, because of her 'striking' physical resemblance to Plath!!!!?????!! Where are the people who cast Shine, Elizabeth ,and Hilary and Jackie(Du Pre) - they are the only ones who could posssible cast reliably for Plath and it is annoying that Hollywood morons have finally corrupted the BBC, formerly known for quality product.
I'll stick to the books and poetry from Plath herself, rather than have my intelligence insulted by what will ultimately amount to a self-congratulatory film. The deep interviews with the mother and daughter 'acting' mother and daughter are coming... and no doubt Oprah is waiting. I can feel it.
Katie
Santa Monica,California, USA
Thursday, August 1, 2002
A question that might be answered...hopefully. We know that SP was invited as a guest editor for the Mademoiselle magazine in may/june 1953. At that time (may 26 1953 according to the pictures) she conducted an interview with Elisabeth Bowen the famous anglo-Irish writer. Does anyone know if the interview was published and where it can be found.
Thanks to everyone for the assistance. Yes, besides SP I also like Elisabeth Bowen and many other famous writers.
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Thursday, August 1, 2002
I am really pleased with this web site for it helped me a lot in the preparation of my thesis on sylvia plath. I would like to send my greetings to everyone who supported this site. I hope I will also have the opportunity to contribute to this great corporate work via my own thesis. CongratulationsDilara Yank
Hatay, Turkey
Tuesday, July 30, 2002
I have to say that I have a tendency to agree with Jen regarding BIRTHDAY LETTERS, it should have been titled WHAT IF... I am also of the opinion that TH lived with the ghost of SP for the rest of his life and, even though a lot of SP fans would disagree, I always got the feeling that he tried to make amends for what happened to SP.TH was victims of vicious attacks, even his tombstone was vandalized, however he never stopped working on SP's material without financial rewards for himself all the copyrights belong to the estate (i.e. the children). The fact that he refused most of his life to comment on his life with SP was constantly used against him but I strongly believe that his private life was his and his intentions were to protect his children. Is this necessarily wrong ? Too often the appropriation of an icon does not respect the rights of other people involved especially when time did not have time to erase the memories.
As for the interest in astrology, this does not seem to have been a long time thing, it seems that his interest was mostly present when he was with SP; after he directed his interest in shamanism and other bardic and traditional type of culture. However, it should be noted that his knowledge of the occult seems to have always been present in his work (if we exclude Birthday letters and the work he did on the greek mythology).
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Monday, July 29, 2002
Michel, Hughes was both good and bad at handling Plath's estate. Yes, he did get her latter works published but also let's not forget that some of the Ariel poems had already been published in magazines and Plath had also recorded some of them for the BBC. Therefore,it is likely that had certain crucial poems not already been exposed to the public Hughes may have chosen to censor them due to their personally aggressive content (especially "Daddy"). He also mismanaged her journals as well. First of all, he "lost" or "misplaced" one of them and destroyed probably her most crucial journal of all. Also, he censored the first printing of Plath's journals and only quite some time later did he decide to allow all of them to be printed (He was quite ill by this time). Plath's efforts were at least a little selfless (and I say "at least" not "totally selfless)then Hughes'.Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Monday, July 29, 2002
While it is seductive to speculate on the paths their lives and careers would have taken had they never met or married, that is not what happened. Anyone attempting to predict that alternative outcome would have to be a clairvoyant.SP's life was cut short, and her poetic voice stopped, but a part of Hughes died as well.
We will never know what kind of poet Sylvia would have become if she had lived, and I dare say we will also never know what kind of poet Ted would have become. His life became linked with her death, and so did his poetic voice.It sometimes seems to me as if *Birthday Letters* should have been called *What if..* There is "A Pink Wool Knitted Dress", about their marriage ceremony, which ends "And in your eye-pupils--great cut jewels/Jostling their tear-flames,truly like big jewels/Shaken in a dice-cup and held up to me." See also: Visit,The Shot,Fate Playing. Or,if you want your hair to stand on end, read "Do Not Pick Up the Telephone" from the *New Selected Poems*.
Speaking of clairvoyance, given their mutual fascination in astrology and the occult, I am wondering why there is not more written on this subject. I am certain that they must both have had their birth charts done, or perhaps even did their own. This element of knowing/predicting their fate adds another layer to the story. In "A Dream" from BL, Hughes identifies himself as having said, "Not dreams,.../but fixed stars/Govern a life."
This phrase, of course, is used again by SP in "Words". Anyone have any information or suggested reading on the astrology issue?Jen Zereski
Providence, Rhode Island, USA
Monday, July 29, 2002
Thanks, Michel. I must have missed something because on second glance at Middlebrook's website I found the working title, at least, of her biography on Hughes. I think you're right about the quality of this up and coming biography. Apparently,her previous biographies on Anne Sexton and Billy Tipton were very well done. Feinstein's bio was good but perhaps she was a little biased since she knew him? I dont know. So, it'll be interesting to see the differences between the two.Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Monday, July 29, 2002
Stephanie I agree with you on some of your point where you mention that SP and her problems in life along with TH and everything creates an interesting mix that became one hell of a package giving both and I say both of them a tremendous amount of fame.
TH would probably have struggled a lot longer without SP, however we should thank TH for the work he did in keeping the works of SP in publication and constantly in the public eyes. However this did cost him a lot, he was subsequently accused of profiting from this, his fame became a result of SP's death, we have probably heard all the accusations.
Sylvia was a great poet with an interesting approach, but Ted Hughes also, as to say they were both the best in their field; this remains a question of discussion that could last for a very long time.
I do have to remind people that the suicide of SP is part of her legend and if we look at other similar cases, this situation is not always the same. Ann Sexton for example is more famous for her work than her tragic death, the same could be said of Virginia Woolfe and just by digging a bit some other similar cases could easily come to mind.
The life of any writer helps making the writing, however we need to acknowledge that great writing lives on after the writer is long gone and often the life "factor" is kind of forgotten...just look at Edna St.Vincent Millay for example or Dylan Thomas their poetry is still known as being great but their life as been partly forgotten by most readers.
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Monday, July 29, 2002
Jim, Re your message dated June 5th. In which you stated about Ted Hughes, "If he wanted out of a relationship he was perfectly capable of ending it without doing away with his wife". I beg to differ. Ted Hughes never ended that relationship even after Sylvia Plath's death, (which must have disappointed him). He could not end it, he indicated to somebody that one of them had to die, if it hadn't been Sylvia it would have been him. Which brings one to suppose that he thought the relationship would end with death and since he was heavily involved with Assia Wevill at the time and Sylvia was a millstone round his neck, the sooner the better! I agree with you when you say "he had no real interest in taking over the care of the children if he hadn't been forced to by her death." I just think the care of the children never entered his mind. He had "lived by the seat of his pants" all his life, he would deal with that problem if and when it arose.Cressida Hope-Bunting
Alabama, USA
Monday, July 29, 2002
In response to Stephanie's question, according to the web site of Diane Middlebrook which can be found at Diane Middlebrook's website the book tentatively titled Her Husband will be released by Viking in 2003.
Having also read the biography by Elaine Feinstein, I am awaiting this one also in order to compare and see if any new material comes up. But knowing some of the work of Diane Middlebrook, I believe we can trust the quality of the research put into this upcoming biography.
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Saturday, July 27, 2002
Yes, but don't forget, Michael, that Plath's work,TH, her history of emotional illness, her prior suicide attempts and so on and so forth are all one big package. Aspects of her life are so prevalent in her work that it's almost impossible to seperate the two. I think it's better to have some kind of knowledge of her background to help understand some of,if not, all her body of work.
I can see where some people may not think Plath was a genius at poetry but I have to say she definitely was "great" and that's to say the least. Who knows what she may have been without TH? But certainly, even TH wouldnt have risen to popularity so quickly without Plath. If not for her continually typing his works, sending them out to magazines etc. and if rejected, sending them out again, it would have taken him quite a bit longer to have reached the status he did. In some ways, TH actually owed it to Plath to ensure the public got exposed to her work.Luckily, TH did continue to have Plath's work published hence the status Plath has risen to today.
Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Saturday, July 27, 2002
I have to admit that after a lot of web surfing on various sites of authors (both french and english), this forum is probably one of the best I have seen. The quality of the exchanges is very high and also permits to gather information from the very knowledgeable people participating.
Now, about SP, I have to admit that I never believe she was such a great poet; at least not as great as some would like to believe. Her life was a tragedy often reflected in her poetry. Had she not been married to TH, she might have been forgotten or at least not carried over the years so easily. We just need to look at Edna St.Vincent Millay for example who was basically forgotten by history until some recent biographies resurrected the writter.
As to being an ICON, SP might deserve the title. However I think (and this is only my opinion) that her fans from various generations have made her an icon. Her life of mental problems, her reappropriation by the feminist movement, the various "legends" about her have made good publishing material through the decades since her death.
It is sad to see that among all the books written about SP, more talk about her life, her difficulties or TH than about her actual work.
Forums like this one hopefully will help change this situation and through the years, make sure people concentrate on the writting more than on the gossips.
Michel
Montreal, Canada
Friday, July 26, 2002
Does anyone know when the Diane Middlebrook Ted Hughes biography is going to be released? I read somewhere it was going to be released in 2002 and then I read it was going to be released in 2003.Both sources said this new bio is supposed to be published by Viking Putnam. I read the Elaine Feinstein biography and I would be interested in reading this one to compare and contrast. Also, what about a North American version of Jillian Becker's "Giving Up"? I'm interested in this one as well but I'm hesitant about ordering overseas or getting one of my relatives to send it to me if a North American version is going to be released in the near or ever distant future. :)Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Friday, July 26, 2002
Anybody read "The Kick" by Richard Murphy?Kenneth Jones
Berkeley, USA
Sunday, July 21, 2002
Hallo everybody and congratulations for this marvellous and very well done site! I'd have a question to ask, a curiosity to better say... Does someone knows what necklace, how it was made, had Sylvia? (we just see a little piece of necklace in her last pictures/1961+1962+1963, but we see no end, no stone.) Sorry for my very awful English. Thanks very much to the person who will help me!Alex
Florence, Italy
Thursday, July 18, 2002
Sorry to come in with a non-academic question, but are there any Plath readers in Dorset, SW England? I've yet to find a soulmate here in the sea-blasted countryside.Erin Holmes
Dorchester, UK
Sunday, July 21, 2002
I just want to let you all know that the Irreputable Theater Company in Manhattan is staging an adaptation of Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams this August as part of the 2002 New York International Fringe Festival, and directed by Bridgette Dunlap.Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams is a short story by Sylvia Plath about a young psychiatric clinic secretary on a mission to chronicle the nature of fear. She serves her god, "Johnny Panic himself, the maker of them all" by secretly recording patient's nightmares into his Bible of Dreams. This dark comedy and haunting tragedy is an experimental piece performed by the irreputable theater company.
The company consists of: Jeff Addiss, Preston Dane, Jason Director, Bridgette Dunlap, Kathryn Ekblad, Emily French, Rachel Goodman, Nick Jupinka, Madeleine Maby, Sara Montgomery, Elizabeth Neptune, Jason Ritter, Lauren Terilli and Matt Walters. All members of the ensemble are recent graduates of New York University's Tisch School of the Arts.
For more information visit our web site at www.irreputable.com and www.fringenyc.org.
Jason
New York, USA
Sunday, July 21, 2002
Hi everyone who i like to consider "my family" since we all together share this passion that unites us: Sylvia. I would like to discuss my favourite poem of Sylvia with someone of you: "The Zoo Keeper's Wife". Sorry my english but i am italian. I found out Sylvia Plath 1 year ago and cannot ever leave her. Now she's simply inside of me and I like her too much because I consider similar to me or viceversa... And I just think the the above poem is simply genial and summers up almost all her poetry style and content.Alfar
Florence, Italy
Thursday, July 18, 2002
To Dennis, the Death of Samantha song 'Sylvia Plath' is a cover of Peter Laughner's excellent song.Sam
Sydney, Australia
Thursday, July 18, 2002
I just wonder whether anyone here has come accross Sylvia Plath:poetry & existence by David Holbrook. It came out in 1976/77 but is still freely available. Some of the stuff in there is unique to that particular book such as his mentioning of the case history with regards to 'Masturbating a glitter' & the oral obsessions (though some other authors also mention that) such as in 'Poem for a birthday' & discusses Plath as a sexual poet
Mother, you are the one mouth
I would be a tongue to. Mother of otherness
Eat me. Wastebasket gaper, shadow of doorways.This is just 1 example among many that he gives. Of course Freud plays a big part in the way his interpretations work.
Rehan A Qayoom
London, England
Thursday, July 18, 2002
'Her blacks crackle and drag': I've read this line as the speaker personifying the moon as a witch or female Death-figure, cowled and caped by the night (also linking to the 'hood of bone').'Crackle' is such an energetic and onomatopoeic word, it makes me think of taffeta, or some loud fabric. She drags the night-cloth behind her as she journeys across the sky. Then again, the moon has become quite iconic in Plath's poetry as representing a (usually disapproving or judgemental) mother.Ivy
Melbourne, Australia
Wednesday, July 17, 2002
You can contact Steniner through her publishers Faber & Faber. The book (a copy of which I have) was written in 1973 & to be quite frank I don't know whether she's still alive, even. Faber's address is Faber & Faber, 3 Queen Square. WC1, London, EnglandRehan A Qayoom
London, England
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Steve, The last I read Nancy Hunter Steiner was living in Moraga California but that was quite some time ago..That's not to say that she doesnt still live there. Maybe someone else knows more?Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
Hello, I'm trying to locate Nancy Hunter Steiner, an author who wrote about her experiences with Plath while in college. The reason I'd like to contact her is because I own two books that were inscribed and given to Hunter-Steiner as a birthday gift, and I'd like to confirm the provenance. I haven't had any luck at all recently and hope that someone from the forum could help me. Any help or suggestions at all would be greatly appreciated! Thanks...Steve Gorrell
Champaign, Illinois, USA
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
I wonder, Chad, how much of Plath you've read other then just the Ariel poems. I think to really and truly understand Plath you have to have an insight into what her life was like as whole. Never has it been indicated that Plath was "on the verge of devastation" when these poems were written..infact..I would say she was already "devastated" yet she managed to continue on writing amazing poems while struggling to look after her children as a single mother plus maintain a household and so on. Plath wrote some of the most incredible poems of the 20th century at an unusually swift pace and even more fascinating is that she managed to do so under the above circumstances. I would say she was "just a good writer of poems" in her early days but the Ariel poems show pure genius...or at least thats how I've always felt! :) It's been said before that Plath had a "death wish" but I don't think she found anything erotic in it. She used her emotions for copy as many writers have before and do now...hence "confessional" poetry :).Stephanie
Ottawa, Canada
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
For the blessedly wealthy among us - or if I were Meg Ryan and had her salary:
This first listing appears to be the same copy listed for sale by Ken Lopez last year of the e\year befor for $75,000 - it's now being sold by another Boston dealer for $125,000 -S/he who hesitates is lost......
PLATH, Sylvia, Corrected Carbon Typescripts for Ariel. .
Plath, Sylvia. SYLVIA PLATH VI POEMS.
4to, 75 pages, text on rectos only. (1960-1962). Original corrected carbon typescripts for forty poems, twenty-eight of which were published in Ariel (1965); the remaining twelve poems were published in later volumes. The title poem Ariel bears a highlysignificant & previously unrecorded holograph dedication: "For AI [Alvarez]". Fifteen of the poems have been annotated by Plath in the top right-hand corner with the names of the journals & magazines which had accepted her poems for publication. Most of the poems bear numerous autograph corrections of accidentals throughout (mostly changing colons to periods). The present group of typescripts is almost certainly another copy of the carbon typescripts which Ted Hughes [Plath's husband] mentions in "Publishing Sylvia Plath", Winter Pollen, 1995, p. 164, as being the scripts from which he selected the poems to be published in Ariel: "She left behind a carbon typescript, its title altered from Daddy to Ariel, its pages littered with minor corrections, containing about thirty-five poems, beginning as now with 'Morning Song' and ending with the Bee poems . . . It began with the word 'love' and ended with 'spring', as she pointed out . . .". Hughes discusses the same typescript in his introduction to Sylvia Plath Collected Poems: "Some time around Christmas 1962, Sylvia Plath gathered most of what are now known as the 'Ariel' poems in a black spring binder, and arranged them in a careful sequence. . . . This collection of hers excluded almost everything she had written between The Colossus [1959] and July 1962 - or two and a half years' work." In her biography of Sylvia Plath (Bitter Fame, 1989), Anne Stevenson suggests that Plath may have rearranged the text on 15 November 1962: "It contains 'Death & Co.' written the day before, but no poem written later. . . . The manuscript [i.e. the text] had already been through earlier revisions; there were former titles crossed out on the title page, and the order o! f certain poems changed, with several of them corrected by hand."
(A.M.S., autographed manuscript signed.)
Wellesley, MA: circa 1944-45, original notebook, signed, ruled pages wire-stitched in original cloth reinforced red paper covers. The title "Sylvia Plath VI Poems" is written in the author's hand on a white label with double ruled red border, and applied to the upper center of the front cover. The following description is taken from the letter of authenticity which accompanies the notebook: "Sylvia Plath created this notebook of favorite poems and schools exercises while in the sixth grade at Marshall Perrin Elementary School in Wellesley, Massachusetts during the 1944-5 school year. It is entirely in her holograph and a gummed label on the upper cover reads 'Sylvia Plath VI Poems.' This remarkable piece of Plath iconography includes seventeen (sic) copies in a fair hand of some of her favorite classic poems, from Emerson, Masefield and others. Her school exercises, including lists of spelling 'demons,' holidays, birthdays of significant people, etc. show much personal precocity. In fact, at this point in her life she was unusuallly happy and highly successful in school, being of extraordinary creativity and intelligence. . .and this seminal artifact of her youth is a missing link to the final terrible genius of Ariel. . ." Of particular interest is the neat and orderly text, along with the uniformly attractive penmanship of a sixth grade girl. Her choice of poems, lyrics & prose pieces (totaling nineteen pages) along with her appliqued embellishment of Emerson's "Concord Hymn" are intriguing. There are copious lists of geographic locations, earth formations, famous birthdays, holidays, and perhaps the most insightful and curious is her list of "100 Spelling Demons". This glimpse into the early development of Sylvia Plath, touching directly both her academic and creative spirit, is a unique window unavailable elsewhere. The physical notebook shows very little wear, and is in remarkably fine condition. One of a kind. Book # 2218 Price: US$ 19500.00 convert currency
From the homepage of Jett W. Whitehead Rare Books (ABAA), MI, U.S.A.
Kim
Detroit, USA
Tuesday, July 16, 2002
This is a wonderful webpage. I like the poetry of Sylvia Plath, yet I object to how many critics proclaim her to be "the Great Poet." As William Faulkner said in his Nobel Prize speech, "fear is the basest of emotions" and to this I would add the confessional interest in self-destruction and self-decay. In _Ariel_ I do not read Plath as the poet on the edge of devistation, but as the poet who has given up the struggle to fight on, and finds something almost self-erotic about her own downfall. Because of this, I can consider Plath a good writer of poems, but not "the great poet."Chad Chisholm
Clemson University, USA
Sunday, July 14, 2002
This question has probably been asked here many times, but I was wondering if anybody knew what the line "her blacks crackle and drag" from the poem "Edge" means?. Reason being my favorite songwriter Paul Westerberg has written a song called "Crackle and Drag", about the death of SP. And if anyone is interested, I can post the lyrics, but be warned, the song is graphic, dark, almost macabre. It's also quite beautiful. She was using the line to refer to the moon, but in the song Westerberg uses the line a bit differently. Thanks.Steve Conrad
Sacramento, USA
Saturday, July 13, 2002
The thinginess of things. I BELIEVE Sylvia said this to a young man (a student of one of the Beckers? or a friend of theirs?) who visited her while she stayed with them the week end before she died. He was a painter and when he told her he liked abstract art she said something like "That's too bad. I like things. I like the thinginess of things." Again, I'm sitting here with NO books at all within my reach, but I am FAIRLY sure that's where it comes from.Marian
Brooklyn, USA
Saturday, July 13, 2002
I find Plath's reference to the Atlantic in "Daddy" very interesting. I may be overreaching a little in trying to link this back to her Nazi imagery, but it is a fairly well-known fact that the Nazis believed their Aryan "perfect beings" were descendents from the city of Atlantis. These Atlantians were rumoured to be super-intellgent beings, who brought the concepts of writing and pyramid-building to Egypt and South America (although there is no scientific evidence to support this).
Could Plath be likening her father to an Atlantian, giving further evidence of the idolatry running though the poem? I'd be interested to hear others thoughts on this.
Sharon Brindle
King's Lynn, USA
Friday, July 12, 2002
Congratulations for such a grand website. I have translated a few poems by Silvia Plath for Urdu Readers. I myself belong to the community of Urdu writers and poets. I have twelve books to my credit. She has influenced me a lot. Her symbolic poetry is full of attractions for the readers inclined towards philosophical emotions.Professor Dr. Saadat Saeed
visiting professor from Pakistan
Department of Urdu
Language,History and Geography Faculty
Ankara University Turkey
Friday, July 12, 2002
I find Plath's reference to the Atlantic in "Daddy" very interesting. I may be overreaching a little in trying to link this back to her Nazi imagery, but it is a fairly well-known fact that the Nazis believed their Aryan "perfect beings" were descendents from the city of Atlantis. These Atlantians were rumoured to be super-intellgent beings, who brought the concepts of writing and pyramid-building to Egypt and South America (although there is no scientific evidence to support this).
Could Plath be likening her father to an Atlantian, giving further evidence of the idolatry running though the poem?
I'd be interested to hear others thoughts on this.Sharon Brindle
King's Lynn, UK
Friday, July 12, 2002
Having just received (this morning) and read Jillian Becker's book 'Giving Up - The Last Days of Sylvia Plath' I must say I was surprised. I had heard very little (content) wise on this book and did not know whether it would be written scandal-monger style or intelligently. While there are some pieces that whisper 'scandal' overall it was perceptively written. She (to me) paints a vivid and realistic picture of Plath's despair at her situation without trying to claim that she (Becker) knows exactly from where it stems.Like many other Plath books though, it is another perspective which the reader must interpret as they see fit. Becker mentions Dido Merwin's 'hatred' of Sylvia, but in places she too reveals her own hatred (if that is the best word) of Hughes. If it is true that he said at Plath's funeral that 'everyone hated her' I am a little shocked. However, I was not there and do not know if Becker has contextualised the incident effectively or let her own bias' (unintentionally?) colour it.
A small (44 pages) read, but an interesting one. It is another piece to try and place in the jigsaw that is Sylvia Plath. I don't expect to ever be able to claim to know the truth (as my truth could be different to that of Hughes, Becker, and especially Plath) but I think Becker's book has a place in Plath literature.
Has anyone else read it?
Melanie Smith
Darwin, Australia
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
Rehan, you might like to try the interview by Peter Orr in The Poet Speaks: Interviews with Contemporary Poets (1966). It sounds like something Plath'd gush about in there (grin). If not there, then perhaps in the notes in Collected Poems. I'm graduating with a Master of Arts this August, all thanks to Sylvia, who was my topic.Ivy
Melbourne, Australia
Wednesday, July 10, 2002
I just finished reading 'The Bell Jar' for the first time. I suffer from major depression and was coincidentally going through a major low at the time I stumbled upon this book. I was a bit hesitant to read it while I was so down, but it turned into a positive experience. I am intrigued by Sylvia Plath's life, her writings and her death. Being a writer from Massachusetts (now living in NYC) who suffers from depression and anxiety daily, I was drawn to her story as it mimicked so much of my own life. I am changed forever after this read, as I struggle from similar feelings and have been suffocated by more bell jars in my life than I care to remember.
I just wanted to put my message on the board to join in on your discussions of Sylvia's life, writings and death. In my refusal to join the world of daily medication, I want to use her life and your forum to remind me (and others) that as lonely as depression feels, we are not alone. Strength comes with awareness and sharing our struggles with each other.
Thank you for offering your stories and messages for me to read. I look forward to more discussions as I familiarize myself with more of her works and continue my research on the courageous life of a woman who offered her goodness to the world and pushed as hard as she could until she was just too tired. We must celebrate her strength to battle the demons for as long as she did, for they are merciless. And hopefully more discussion will save others from the unfortunate fatigue of depression.
Blessings and much hope, Alison
Alison
New York, NY, USA
Monday, July 8, 2002
Could somebody please let me know the source of Plath's quote where she talks about being inspired by THINGS because, she says, "I love the thinginess of things." I've read it numerous times but (now that I need it) I can't seem to find it to save my neck!-I'd be most gratfeul.Rehan A Qayoom
London, England
Friday, July 5, 2002
I thought people might like to know that I copied Elm from something on the Web to Word tonight. The line 'I am inhabited by a cry' was misspelt as 'I am inhabitated by a cry'. Noticing the red line under the typo, I checked suggestions. One was 'inhabit Ted'. Now is that weird?Ian Sergeant
Malmesbury, UK
Friday, July 5, 2002
