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The Applicant by Sylvia Plath: A Brief Overview of the Poem

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath: A Brief Overview of the Poem

“The Applicant” is a poem written by Sylvia Plath, a renowned American poet and novelist. The poem was first published in 1965, a year after Plath’s death. It is a satirical take on the societal norms and expectations of women during the mid-twentieth century. In this article, we will provide a brief overview of the poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices used by the poet.

Background Information

Sylvia Plath’s “The Applicant” is a poem that was first published in 1965, shortly after the poet’s death. The poem is known for its dark and satirical tone, as well as its commentary on gender roles and societal expectations. Plath was a highly influential poet of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and exploration of themes such as mental illness, death, and identity. “The Applicant” is one of her most well-known and widely studied works, and continues to be a relevant and thought-provoking piece of literature today.

Summary of “The Applicant”

“The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath is a poem that explores the themes of gender roles, societal expectations, and the commodification of marriage. The poem is written in a satirical tone and uses a series of questions and answers to create a sense of absurdity and critique. The speaker of the poem is a male recruiter who is interviewing a female applicant for the position of wife. The recruiter asks a series of dehumanizing questions, reducing the woman to a set of physical and domestic attributes. The poem ends with the woman accepting the position, suggesting that society has conditioned women to believe that their worth is tied to their ability to fulfill traditional gender roles. Overall, “The Applicant” is a powerful commentary on the ways in which societal expectations can limit and dehumanize individuals, particularly women.

Analysis of the Title

The title of Sylvia Plath’s poem, “The Applicant,” immediately sets the tone for the piece. The word “applicant” suggests a sense of formality and business-like behavior, which is reflected in the language and structure of the poem. Additionally, the title implies that the poem is about someone applying for something, but it is not immediately clear what that something is. This ambiguity adds to the overall sense of unease and confusion that permeates the poem. As the reader delves deeper into the piece, it becomes clear that the applicant is seeking a spouse, and the poem takes on a satirical tone as it critiques the societal expectations and pressures surrounding marriage. Overall, the title of “The Applicant” sets the stage for a complex and thought-provoking exploration of gender roles and societal norms.

Themes Explored in the Poem

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a complex poem that explores various themes. One of the most prominent themes is the idea of conformity and the pressure to fit into societal norms. The poem highlights the absurdity of the process of finding a suitable partner through a job interview-like process, where the applicant’s worth is determined by their ability to conform to the expectations of the interviewer.

Another theme explored in the poem is the idea of power dynamics in relationships. The interviewer holds all the power in the situation, and the applicant is at their mercy. The poem also touches upon the theme of gender roles and the societal expectations placed on men and women. The applicant is expected to be a perfect match for the interviewer, fulfilling all their desires and needs, regardless of their own desires and needs.

Overall, The Applicant is a thought-provoking poem that delves into the complexities of societal norms, power dynamics, and gender roles. Plath’s use of vivid imagery and metaphors adds depth to the themes explored in the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

Symbolism in the Poem

One of the most striking features of “The Applicant” is the use of symbolism throughout the poem. Plath employs various symbols to convey her message about the societal expectations placed upon women. For instance, the “red booth” mentioned in the first stanza represents the traditional role of women as homemakers and caretakers. The “pink and white” kitchen appliances in the second stanza further emphasize this point, as they are associated with domesticity and femininity.

Another symbol used in the poem is the “black telephone” in the third stanza. This symbolizes the societal pressure for women to conform to certain standards and expectations, as the telephone represents the constant communication and monitoring of women’s behavior. The “white cake” in the fourth stanza is also a symbol of the idealized image of femininity that women are expected to embody.

Overall, the use of symbolism in “The Applicant” adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the societal pressures and expectations placed upon women.

Tone and Mood of the Poem

The tone and mood of Sylvia Plath’s poem “The Applicant” are complex and multifaceted. On the surface, the poem seems to be satirical and mocking, with Plath skewering the societal expectations placed on women to conform to traditional gender roles and marry for the sake of security and status. However, there is also a sense of despair and hopelessness that pervades the poem, as the speaker seems resigned to the fact that these expectations are inescapable and that there is no real alternative to the oppressive system she is critiquing. The use of repetition and the insistent, almost mechanical language of the poem also contribute to this sense of bleakness and futility. Overall, “The Applicant” is a powerful and unsettling exploration of the ways in which societal norms and expectations can crush individuality and autonomy.

Structure and Form of the Poem

The structure and form of Sylvia Plath’s poem “The Applicant” is unique and adds to the overall tone and message of the poem. The poem is written in six stanzas, each with six lines, and follows a consistent ABABCC rhyme scheme. This consistent structure creates a sense of order and control, which contrasts with the chaotic and unsettling content of the poem. Additionally, the use of repetition, particularly in the repeated phrase “will you marry it, marry it, marry it,” emphasizes the societal pressure placed on women to conform to traditional gender roles and expectations. The use of enjambment, where lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of urgency and desperation, further emphasizing the speaker’s desire to conform and be accepted. Overall, the structure and form of “The Applicant” contribute to the poem’s themes of societal expectations, conformity, and the loss of individual identity.

Language and Imagery Used in the Poem

In “The Applicant,” Sylvia Plath uses language and imagery to create a bleak and oppressive atmosphere. The poem is written in a conversational tone, but the words used are often harsh and dehumanizing. For example, the speaker refers to the applicants as “it” and “thing,” reducing them to mere objects. The use of repetition, such as the phrase “will you marry it,” emphasizes the monotony and soullessness of the process.

Plath also employs vivid and disturbing imagery to convey the theme of societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. The line “A living doll, everywhere you look” paints a picture of women as lifeless and controlled by external forces. The image of the “red plush” and “black telephone” suggests a sterile and oppressive environment, where the only options available are those prescribed by society.

Overall, the language and imagery used in “The Applicant” serve to highlight the dehumanizing effects of societal expectations and the pressure to conform.

Interpretation of the Poem

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a complex and thought-provoking poem that can be interpreted in a number of ways. At its core, the poem is a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women, particularly in the context of marriage and relationships. The speaker of the poem is a woman who is seeking a partner, but the language and imagery used throughout the poem suggest that she is not necessarily looking for love or companionship. Instead, she seems to be searching for a man who can provide her with the material possessions and social status that are deemed necessary for a successful life as a woman.

One interpretation of the poem is that it is a critique of the patriarchal society in which the speaker lives. The poem highlights the ways in which women are expected to conform to certain standards and ideals, and how these expectations can be damaging and limiting. The speaker’s desire for a man who can provide her with a “model home” and a “frigidaire” suggests that she is more concerned with material possessions than with emotional connection or personal fulfillment. This can be seen as a commentary on the ways in which women are often valued for their ability to fulfill traditional gender roles, rather than for their individuality or creativity.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the ways in which women are objectified and commodified in relationships. The language used throughout the poem is often clinical and detached, suggesting that the speaker is treating the process of finding a partner as a transaction rather than an emotional connection. The repeated use of the phrase “will you marry it” reinforces this idea, as it reduces the speaker to an object to be acquired rather than a person with agency and autonomy.

Overall, The Applicant is a complex and multi-layered poem that invites a range of interpretations. Whether read as a critique of patriarchal society or a commentary on the commodification of relationships, the poem offers a powerful and thought-provoking exploration of the ways in which societal expectations can shape our desires and aspirations.

Relevance of the Poem Today

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of conformity, gender roles, and the pressure to conform to societal expectations are still relevant in modern times. The poem’s portrayal of a woman seeking a job and being evaluated based on her appearance and marital status is a reflection of the discrimination that women still face in the workplace. The poem’s critique of the capitalist system and the commodification of human beings is also relevant in today’s society, where people are often reduced to their economic value. Overall, The Applicant remains a powerful commentary on the dehumanizing effects of societal expectations and the importance of individuality and self-expression.

Comparison to Other Works by Sylvia Plath

When comparing “The Applicant” to other works by Sylvia Plath, it becomes clear that the poem is a departure from her usual themes of personal suffering and mental illness. Instead, “The Applicant” is a scathing critique of societal expectations placed upon women in the 1950s and 60s. This is in contrast to Plath’s more introspective works such as “Daddy” and “Lady Lazarus,” which focus on her own struggles with mental health and relationships. However, the use of vivid and often disturbing imagery is a common thread throughout Plath’s poetry, and “The Applicant” is no exception. Overall, “The Applicant” stands out as a unique and powerful commentary on gender roles and societal pressures.

Historical Context of the Poem

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath was written in the early 1960s, a time when gender roles were strictly defined and women were expected to conform to societal expectations of marriage and motherhood. Plath herself was a product of this era, having grown up in a conservative household in the United States. However, she was also a trailblazer in her own right, having attended Smith College and later becoming a successful poet and writer. The Applicant can be seen as a commentary on the societal pressures placed on women during this time, as well as a reflection of Plath’s own struggles with gender roles and identity.

Plath’s Life and Influences on Her Writing

Sylvia Plath’s life was marked by tragedy and mental illness, which undoubtedly influenced her writing. Plath was born in Boston in 1932 and grew up in a strict household with a father who was a professor of biology and a mother who was a homemaker. Plath excelled academically and won a scholarship to Smith College, where she began to suffer from depression. After a suicide attempt, she underwent electroconvulsive therapy and was hospitalized. Plath eventually graduated from Smith and went on to study at Cambridge University in England, where she met and married fellow poet Ted Hughes. The couple had two children and lived in England and the United States before separating in 1962. Plath continued to struggle with depression and wrote some of her most famous works, including The Bell Jar and Ariel, before taking her own life in 1963 at the age of 30. Plath’s writing is often characterized by its intense, confessional style and its exploration of themes such as death, identity, and the struggle for self-expression.

Critical Reception of “The Applicant”

The critical reception of Sylvia Plath’s “The Applicant” has been mixed since its publication in 1965. Some critics have praised the poem for its sharp critique of gender roles and societal expectations, while others have criticized it for being too bleak and nihilistic. One common interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the dehumanizing effects of capitalism and consumer culture, as the “applicant” is reduced to a mere commodity to be bought and sold. Others have seen the poem as a feminist statement, with the female speaker rejecting the traditional roles assigned to women in society. Despite the differing opinions on the poem, it remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Analysis of Specific Lines or Stanzas

One of the most striking stanzas in Sylvia Plath’s “The Applicant” is the third stanza, which reads:

“Man hands on misery to man.

It deepens like a coastal shelf.

Get out as early as you can,

And don’t have any kids yourself.”

This stanza is particularly powerful because it highlights the cyclical nature of suffering and how it can be passed down from generation to generation. The metaphor of the “coastal shelf” suggests that misery accumulates over time, becoming deeper and more entrenched with each passing generation. The final line, “And don’t have any kids yourself,” is a stark warning against perpetuating this cycle of suffering.

Plath’s use of the second person (“you”) in this stanza also adds to its impact. It feels as though the speaker is addressing the reader directly, urging them to take action to avoid perpetuating this cycle of misery. The stanza is a powerful commentary on the human condition and the ways in which we can become trapped in cycles of suffering and despair.

Discussion of the Poem’s Ending

The ending of “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath is a powerful and thought-provoking conclusion to the poem. The final lines, “There is nothing between us,” leave the reader with a sense of emptiness and despair. The speaker has been searching for a partner, but the only option presented to them is a transactional relationship based on societal expectations and gender roles. The phrase “There is nothing between us” suggests that there is no genuine connection or love between the two individuals, only a superficial exchange of goods and services.

Furthermore, the repetition of the phrase “Man, you must be a genius” throughout the poem adds to the sense of futility and hopelessness. The speaker is constantly seeking approval and validation from the male figure, who is portrayed as a powerful and dominant force. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes the speaker’s desperation and lack of agency in the situation.

Overall, the ending of “The Applicant” leaves the reader with a sense of unease and discomfort. Plath’s use of language and imagery effectively conveys the societal pressures and expectations placed on individuals, particularly women, in the pursuit of love and companionship.

Exploration of the Poem’s Irony

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a poem that is rich in irony. The poem is a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women during the 1950s and 1960s. The irony in the poem lies in the fact that the woman being interviewed for the job is being asked to conform to a set of standards that are impossible to meet. The poem is a critique of the way in which women were expected to fit into a certain mold in order to be considered successful. The irony is that the woman being interviewed is being asked to conform to a set of standards that are impossible to meet, and yet she is expected to do so in order to be considered successful. The poem is a powerful commentary on the way in which society places unrealistic expectations on women, and the toll that this can take on their mental health and well-being.

Questions Raised by the Poem

The Applicant by Sylvia Plath is a complex and thought-provoking poem that raises several questions about gender roles, societal expectations, and the nature of relationships. One of the most pressing questions that the poem raises is whether the narrator is a victim or a perpetrator. On the one hand, the narrator seems to be a victim of the patriarchal society that demands that women conform to certain standards of beauty and behavior. On the other hand, the narrator also seems to be complicit in perpetuating these standards by seeking a partner who is wealthy and powerful. Another question that the poem raises is whether the narrator’s desire for a partner is genuine or whether it is driven by a need for social status and security. The poem also raises questions about the nature of relationships and whether they are based on love and mutual respect or on power and control. Overall, The Applicant is a poem that challenges readers to think deeply about the societal norms and expectations that shape our lives and relationships.