So I picked Plath..
Permalink for this paragraph 2 For my 2nd self-designed project, I was torn between certain theories, authors, works, until settling on feminist theory, Sylvia Plath, and “Tulips.” I was going to do feminist theory on Seamus Heaney’s poem “The Skunk,” and I also think it would have been interesting, but quite the stretch. You all should read it anyway. I ultimately went with “Tulips” because in my poetry workshop course we discussed another classmate’s work that also took place in a hospital scene, as does “Tulips.” I think there is something very revealing about hospitals and the way people react to them, how on the one hand an investigation into the “medical,” the body, relates to an investigation into the soul.
Permalink for this paragraph 1 I have some trouble switching between close readings and the more personal theories, such as reader-response or feminist theory. In other words, the readings that rely on “you” and not the text for meaning. I’m still playing around with Plath’s work and how I personally respond to it, not just how the work itself defines what I believe but how I define what I believe. Added to that, when considering the status of women in the process of feminist critique, I think it is difficult to place myself and my thinking because “the status of women” goes beyond my own personal experience. For example, you can look at the status of women and how they are portrayed in relation to women being wives, or mothers. Certainly, I can project how I think I would act as a wife or mother, but it’s so much of a mind game and yet I have to be firm in exploring my views.
Permalink for this paragraph 0 Another struggle is that in choosing Plath, my mind keeps wandering to New Historicism and the biographical aspect of analyzing the text. In high school I studied Plath and I have always had an interest in her, so I have background knowledge of what historically happened in Plath’s life which seems to directly relate to “Tulips,” much like John Cheever’s life readily influenced his work (as we read in Texts and Contexts). However, I am confused whether or not to incorporate this knowledge as part of my position, or whether it is unimportant…is this relying too much on the author and their intent and history? Probably. But once you “know” it is hard to reorient yourself to write in a different way.
Permalink for this paragraph 1 I like being able to see the brainstorming, crafting, and writingprocess by Steven Lynn in Texts and Contexts, but it is one thing to observe someone compiling the critical essay and another to write one for yourself. I guess no one ever said it would be easy! It’s a challenge, to be sure.
ashleystern
emilycollins
I love how you chose Plath! – Great choice! The Bell Jar proves to be one of my top five favorite books of all time! I am a little disappointed with the ending but just in case you have not read it, I will not vent my disdain for that darn ending! Wow, I am using a lot of exclamation points, anyways…I am guilty to say, but I have never read this piece…until your post. I went online and pulled up the poem, and I LOVE IT. You mention how you are having difficulty when considering the status of women in the process of feminist theory. This is probably a great poem to start with because this piece is seeping with literary evidence just waiting to be analyzed [I hope that makes sense, in my head it did]. There IS something revealing about hospitals, and I think in relevance to this poem it is important to look at. A little piece of advice when starting to deconstruct [not literally as in the theory, but metaphorically,] think of the hospital as an institution and how that reflects women and the status of women in society. Also another piece to analyze in this poem is Plath’s use of the word tulips and how that aids in Plath’s portrayal of the status of women. This poem is great, and I think you went with the right choice on choosing Plath! You can never go wrong with Plath. Thanks for introducing me to a great piece.
I have read the Bell Jar, actually, but it’s been a while. I just remember how depressing it made me feel! I’ve read some Plath in high school and she has always intrigued me. You make a nice suggestion about analyzing the hospital itself, but I think I’m going to look closer at the tulips because as the title and her main focus throughout the second half of the poem, it seems more relevant. I know I said I was going to analyze the hospital more, so it does seem contradictory to what I said, but my writing seems to take different directions all the time… sigh. I’m glad you like the poem though! She’s quite awesome. Disturbing, but awesome.