Sylvia Plath Biography
Category |
Information |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | 27 October 1932 |
| Birth Place | Boston, Massachusetts, USA |
| Date of Death | 11 February 1963 |
| Cause of Death | Suicide by carbon monoxide poisoning. |
| Burial Place | Heptonstall, West Yorkshire, England |
| Tombstone Inscription | Even amidst fierce flames the golden lotus can be planted. Sylvia Plath’s epitaph (from Wu Cheng’en’s novel Journey to the West aka. Monkey, translated by Arthur Waley) |
| Age | 30 |
| Literary Age/Era | Confessional Poetry |
| Education | Smith College, University of Cambridge |
| Love Affair | Richard Sassoon |
| Matrimonial Life | Married |
| Spouse | Ted Hughes |
| Children | Two: Frieda and Nicholas |
| Major Events in Life | Attempted suicide in 1953, published “The Bell Jar” in 1963 |
| First Publication | “The Colossus and Other Poems” (1960) |
| Last Publication | “Ariel” (1965, posthumous) |
| Famous Quotation | “I am, I am, I am.” |
Sylvia Plath Biography
Life
Sylvia Plath was born on October 27, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts. Her parents were Otto Plath and Aurelia Schober Plath.
Plath was a precocious child, publishing her first poem at the age of eight. Her father, a professor of biology, died when she was eight years old, a loss that profoundly affected her.
She attended Smith College, where she excelled academically but struggled with depression. In 1953, she made her first suicide attempt, which led to a stay in a psychiatric hospital.
In 1956, she married British poet Ted Hughes. The couple had two children, Frieda and Nicholas. Plath and Hughes’s marriage was tumultuous, marked by infidelities and intense creative partnership.
Plath’s struggle with depression continued throughout her life. She wrote prolifically, producing a significant body of work that was published posthumously.
Friends
Sylvia Plath had several friends and mentors who influenced her literary career. Some notable individuals include:
Anne Sexton: Plath formed a close friendship with fellow poet Anne Sexton. They both attended Robert Lowell’s poetry workshops in Boston and shared a similar confessional style.
Robert Lowell: As Plath’s teacher and mentor, Robert Lowell played a significant role in shaping her poetic voice. His own confessional style influenced Plath’s writing.
Elizabeth Bishop: Although not as close as with others, Plath admired Elizabeth Bishop’s work and corresponded with her. Bishop’s meticulous craftsmanship influenced Plath’s poetry.
Education
Plath attended Smith College, where she majored in English and won numerous awards for her writing. She later earned a Fulbright Scholarship to study at the University of Cambridge, where she met Ted Hughes.
Literary Career
Plath began writing poetry at an early age and published her first poem at eight. Her first poetry collection, “The Colossus,” was published in 1960.
Plath’s semi-autobiographical novel, “The Bell Jar,” was published under the pseudonym Victoria Lucas in 1963. The novel details a young woman’s struggle with mental illness and is considered a classic of modern literature.
Her most famous work, “Ariel,” was published posthumously in 1965. The collection contains some of her most powerful and intense poems, reflecting her struggle with depression and desire for artistic perfection.
The publisher released Plath’s “Collected Poems” in 1981, and it won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1982. This achievement made her the first poet to win the prize posthumously.
Confessional Poetry:
The confessional poetry movement, characterized by its autobiographical and intensely personal content, often associates itself with Plath. Her collections “The Colossus” and “Ariel” are seminal works in this genre.
Influence of Personal Life:
Her tumultuous marriage to poet Ted Hughes deeply influenced her work. The intense emotions and personal conflicts in her life often found expression in her poetry.
She battled severe depression throughout her life, influencing her work deeply. Her emotional turmoil, evident in poems like “Daddy” and “Lady Lazarus,” stemmed from personal traumas, including her father’s death and tumultuous relationships.
Plath’s writings vividly depict her struggles, offering insights into her complex psyche. Despite her literary success, she grappled with feelings of inadequacy and hopelessness, tragically ending her life at 30.
Religion
Sylvia Plath grew up in a Unitarian household but chose not to follow any specific religious beliefs as an adult. Her work often reflects existential and philosophical questions rather than religious themes.
Controversy
Plath’s work and life have been the subject of much controversy, particularly regarding her marriage to Ted Hughes. Hughes’s alleged infidelities and the publication of Plath’s journals and letters have sparked debate and controversy among scholars and readers.
Death
Sylvia Plath died by suicide on February 11, 1963, in her London home. Her death marked the loss of one of the most talented and promising poets of her generation. She was buried in Heptonstall, West Yorkshire, England.
Literary Works
The Colossus and Other Poems (1960)
Genre: Poetry Collection
Description: Plath’s first poetry collection, “The Colossus,” showcases her early poetic voice. The poems explore themes of identity, nature, and the complexity of human relationships.
The Bell Jar (1963)
Genre: Novel
Description: This semi-autobiographical novel follows Esther Greenwood, a young woman who descends into mental illness. The novel provides a profound exploration of mental health and societal expectations.
Ariel (1965, posthumous)
Genre: Poetry Collection
Description: “Ariel” is considered Plath’s masterpiece, containing some of her most intense and powerful poems. The collection reflects her personal struggles and showcases her poetic brilliance.
Crossing the Water (1971, posthumous)
Genre: Poetry Collection
Description: This posthumous collection features poems written during the same period as “Ariel.” It includes some of Plath’s most evocative and haunting work.
Winter Trees (1971, posthumous)
Genre: Poetry Collection
Description: Another posthumous collection, “Winter Trees,” includes poems that further explore themes of death, rebirth, and the natural world.
The Collected Poems (1981, posthumous)
Genre: Poetry Collection
Description: This comprehensive collection of Plath’s poetry, edited by Ted Hughes, won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1982. It includes all of her published and unpublished poems, offering a complete view of her poetic career.
Sylvia Plath’s remarkable legacy lies in her fearless exploration of the human psyche, particularly the depths of despair and the complexities of female identity.
Through her powerful poetry and prose, she shattered societal taboos, addressing themes of mental illness, gender roles, and existential anguish with unflinching honesty.
Plath’s relentless pursuit of truth and her mastery of language continue to captivate readers worldwide, inspiring countless artists and scholars.
Her enduring relevance speaks to her profound insight into the human condition, cementing her status as one of the most influential literary figures of the 20th century.
