Why You Should Add Sylvia Plath to Your Reading List

Sylvia Plath is sadly one of those women in history whose works are forgotten – but I think you should add her to your reading list!

Why you should add Sylvia Plath to your reading list

For many years, Sylvia Plath’s voice has been drowned out in favour of her husband’s. Married to the ‘legendary’ Ted Hughes, Plath’s work often gets overshadowed.

But Plath’s words speak just as loud as Hughes’s – and her poetry speaks to women, past and present, in a way that I have not seen from any other poet. She’s also written fantastic prose, such as ‘The Bell Jar‘.

Sylvia Plath’s writing is something like genius. Her poems are full of life and meaning, and even when I read them for the fiftieth time, they still send shivers down my spine.

I recently bought an anthology of Plath’s poetry, edited by Carol Ann Duffy, and discovered once again how much I appreciated her imagery, words and depth. Plath’s writing really is timeless!

Sylvia Plath’s Poetry

Sylvia Plath wrote a huge range of poetry during her time as a writer. Although Plath battled with serious mental health issues all her life, the time right before her death was one of her happiest – and she created great poetry during this time.

Plath’s poem ‘Daddy’ is an example of her depth and meaning. She expresses her hurt and anger, looking at her father’s untimely death.

Her poetry reflects her thoughts and emotions, every single one strong and raw.

Empowerment in Plath’s poetry

I love Plath’s poetry for its empowerment. She demands to be heard through her words, giving the reader a sense of empowerment and strength.

As a woman, how can the poem ‘Lady Lazarus’ not make you proud to be a woman, and feel as though you needn’t be dependent on anyone but yourself? This thought is incredibly important to instil in women now as much as it was in the 1960s.

‘The Bell Jar’ by Sylvia Plath

Plath’s novel ‘The Bell Jar’ is still as relevant today as it was in the 1960s. The novel follows Esther Greenwood’s dissatisfaction at living in a society where women have so little choice, and where women are expected to either be alone forever or settle with a family.

A woman can’t have children and a career – she must choose one.

Esther discusses the male world, seeing the inequalities that surround her. For this reason, Plath should be heralded as a feminist writer, expressing such modern views as early as 1963.

The following quote refers to a drug which makes a woman forget her pain, rather than take it away, thus ensuring she will continue to have children.

“I thought it sounded just like the sort of drug a man would invent.”

Although we may have come a long way since the days of Esther Greenwood, women are still oppressed in our society, and the lack of options open for women is clear.

Virginity in ‘The Bell Jar’

Plath also looks at virginity in ‘The Bell Jar’. Speaking through Esther, she expresses her wish that less importance was placed on the concept of virginity, hating the way in which society expects women to be ‘pure’ at marriage.

“Then the stories of blood-stained bridal sheets and capsules of red ink bestowed on already deflowered bridges floated back to me.. I couldn’t possibly be a virgin any more. I smiled into the dark. I felt part of a great tradition.”

Even today, women are judged by their ‘morals’ regarding their sexual behaviour – whereas men in society are simply seen as ‘playing the field’ should they sleep around before settling down.

It’s fascinating to see how Plath wrote her novel in 1963, but women still experience this shame in 2018.

“All I’d heard about, really, was how fine and clean Buddy was and how he was the kind of person a girl should stay fine and clean for.”

Sylvia Plath reading recommendations

If you want to try out Sylvia Plath’s incredible work, there are lots of great places to start. ‘Ariel’ and ‘The Colossus’ are fantastic poetry anthologies that show the beauty of her words.

‘The Bell Jar’ and ‘Johnny Panic and the Bible of Dreams’ also give you a taste of Plath’s prose style.

Do you like Sylvia Plath’s writing? Have you read any of her poetry? Do you think she should be considered a “classic” novelist and poet?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

Picture credits here