Sylvia Plath and the Complex Nature of Motherhood

Sylvia Plath, a renowned American poet and the writer of the novel ''The Bell Jar'', is best known for her confessional style of writing that often delves into the complexities of the human mind. While Plath's works cover a range of themes, such as womanhood, mental illnesses, and loneliness we will focus on her exploration of motherhood in this article. We'll delve into Plath's own experiences as a mother, and understand her struggles with mental health, which greatly influenced her portrayal of motherhood in her writings.

One of Plath's most famous works, the semi-autobiographical novel "The Bell Jar," offers insights into her struggles with identity, mental illness, and societal expectations, including her experience with motherhood. The protagonist, Esther Greenwood, grapples with conflicting desires and societal pressures, reflecting Plath's internal conflicts. In her poetry, especially in ''Metaphors'' and ''Morning Song'', Plath explores the complex emotions tied to motherhood, whether positive or negative. The poems often depict a conflict between the desire for creative fulfillment and the demands of domestic life. Plath's struggles with balancing her roles as a mother and an artist can be seen in her works.

Her most important poem on motherhood is ''Metaphors'' where she compares being pregnant to certain things, such as ''an elephant'', ''a yeasty bread'', or ''a house''. However, as the poem progresses, we find that the parallels get more negative, such as ''a cow in calf,'' indicating her negative feelings toward being a mother, almost as if she is an incubator.  

I’m a riddle in nine syllables,

An elephant, a ponderous house,

A melon strolling on two tendrils.

O red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!

This loaf’s big with its yeasty rising.

Money’s new-minted in this fat purse.

I’m a means, a stage, a cow in calf.

I’ve eaten a bag of green apples,

Boarded the train there’s no getting off.

The poem's use of vivid and unexpected images, such as an elephant and a melon, conveys the complex and multifaceted nature of motherhood. Each metaphor adds layers of meaning to the overall portrayal of pregnancy, making it a rich and evocative exploration of the theme.

Plath's poem "Morning Song," written shortly after the birth of her first child, demonstrates the demanding nature and mental stress of motherhood. The poem begins with a detached observation of a baby and develops into a more intimate analysis of the mother-child bond. It provides us with an authentic view of what it means to be a mother. Unlike constructed motherhood, where the mother-child bond happens immediately after birth, we can see from Plath's poetry that the real mother-child relationship slowly develops into a real bond rather than just happening.

Plath's thematic underlying themes of motherhood frequently align with her exploration of identity, autonomy, and the societal roles put on women. Plath, who lived during a period of enormous change in society's standards around women and parenting, struggled with opposing views and demands to conform to. It's worth noting that Plath's battles with mental health, which eventually led to her sad death by suicide in 1963, had a profound impact on her perspective on motherhood. The works she produced provide a genuine window into the issues that women experienced during that period, as well as help us comprehend the reality and the complexity of motherhood as an experience.

In summary, we can say that Sylvia Plath's writings offer beautifully detailed and often conflicted portrayals of motherhood. Her personal experiences, combined with her confessional style and emotional expression, result in masterpieces that continue to resonate with readers, especially women.