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Poet: Sylvia Plath (Sylvia Plath Art)
Poem: Child
Volume: The Collected Poems
Year: Published/Written in 1963
Comment 10 of 10, added on February 18th, 2009 at 9:11 AM.
There is a typographical error in the poem as well as on most internet sites that I have seen. The lines should read "the zoo of the new whose names you meditate," rather than the singular "name." This is because what follows is a list of those names -- April snowdrop, Indian pipe -- both wildflowers with either white or waxy blossoms, the coloration being perhaps symbolically important since they are in stark contrast to her, the "dark ceiling without a star."
JMY from United States
Comment 9 of 10, added on March 11th, 2007 at 1:22 PM.
i find this poem one the saddest by plath!although the poems conveys an array of positive images the undertone is dark and negative!it conveys plaths realisation that she can never give her child what she beleives he needs. she has realized that the positive and cheerful moments linked to childhood are not something she can give her child, this itself is deeply saddening and perhaps shows us that plath ahs come to realiza that she cannot provide this stereotypical life for her own child. although one of plaths more positive poem(indeed many peaple beleive minor glimpses of hope may be interpreted from within the lines)i however interpret this poem to be an early emmison of plaths saddening realisation that she will not be ther to as she sees it poison her childs minds.
katie from Ireland
Comment 8 of 10, added on January 7th, 2006 at 8:07 PM.
i agree with ryan. The poet is clearly in awe of her child describing him as 'the only beautiful thing.' She wishes only good for her child but she is overcome by her own sense inadequecy, she fears she will pass on her own feelings of despair to her son. She acknowledges that this is a time when 'images should be grand and classical.' I feel that the poet desires happiness but her insecurities will not allow it. She knows she should not be experiencing troubulous images of "wringing hands" and a "dark ceiling without a star" but her depression is so deep that even during a reflective moment with her child she cannot see an escape from her despair.
killian from Ireland
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Comments
There is a typographical error in the poem as well as on most internet sites that I have seen. The lines should read "the zoo of the new whose names you meditate," rather than the singular "name." This is because what follows is a list of those names -- April snowdrop, Indian pipe -- both wildflowers with either white or waxy blossoms, the coloration being perhaps symbolically important since they are in stark contrast to her, the "dark ceiling without a star."
JMY from United States