Poem Analysis - Departure

An Elegy of Impending Hardship

Sylvia Plath's "Departure" evokes a somber atmosphere, tinged with a sense of resignation and foreboding. The poem begins with an image of unripe abundance, quickly juxtaposed with the stark reality of financial depletion. This contrast establishes a pervasive tone of disappointment and anxiety about the future. As the poem progresses, the mood darkens, shifting from mere acknowledgement of hardship to a stark acceptance of a harsh and unforgiving world. The poem concludes with images of barrenness and struggle, solidifying its overall sense of bleak resignation.

The Weight of Circumstance

While specific historical context may be difficult to pinpoint definitively, understanding Plath's personal struggles and her often fraught relationship with domesticity certainly informs the poem. The line "The money's run out" immediately suggests a real-world concern, perhaps mirroring the economic anxieties that plagued many during various periods of the 20th century. Furthermore, the contrast between the potential abundance of nature and the harsh reality of financial lack could be interpreted as a subtle critique of societal structures and the challenges faced by individuals within them. This struggle becomes amplified when one considers Plath’s own documented battles with mental health and personal fulfillment.

The Intertwining of Lack and Loss

One of the central themes of "Departure" is the harshness of reality and the inevitability of hardship. The opening stanzas establish this theme through the juxtaposition of unripe fruit and financial lack, creating a sense of promise unfulfilled. The line "How nature, sensing this, compounds her bitters," suggests that nature itself seems to conspire against the speaker, amplifying their struggles. A second significant theme is resignation. The phrase "Ungifted, ungrieved, our leavetaking" implies a departure devoid of joy or sorrow, hinting at a weary acceptance of a difficult fate. The final theme revolves around endurance, illustrated through the recurring imagery of the harsh, unforgiving landscape where the "brunt of outer sea / Beats, is brutal endlessly". The poem is not a cry of despair, but rather a resigned observation of the world's inherent difficulties and a testament to the resilience required to withstand them.

Symbols of a Bleak Landscape

The poem is rich with symbolic imagery that reinforces its themes. The "green" figs and grapes, while initially appearing abundant, represent potential that is yet to be realized, mirroring the speaker's hopes that are still unrealized and now unlikely to be. The "scraggy rock spit shielding the town's blue bay" serves as a powerful symbol of protection, however insufficient and harsh it may be. It represents a fragile defense against the overwhelming forces of life. The "Gull-fouled, a stone hut" further emphasizes the desolation and decay, suggesting that even the most basic structures are subject to the corrosive effects of time and circumstance. The "goats" that "lick the sea-salt" represent a primal need for sustenance in a barren environment, highlighting the persistent struggle for survival. The symbolic meaning of the "unripe corn" could represent a missed opportunity; perhaps the suggestion that something planted did not flourish. The image may ask the question: what promise did these people hold that failed to germinate?

A Farewell to Hope?

"Departure" is a poignant exploration of hardship, resignation, and endurance. Through its vivid imagery and somber tone, the poem paints a bleak portrait of a world where potential goes unfulfilled and survival is a constant struggle. The juxtaposition of unripe abundance and financial lack sets the stage for a deeper examination of life's inherent difficulties. Ultimately, the poem leaves the reader with a sense of weary acceptance, suggesting that even in the face of adversity, a kind of harsh beauty can be found in the resilience of both nature and the human spirit. The poem does not simply lament loss, but rather acknowledges its inevitability as a fundamental part of existence, highlighting the strength required to persevere despite it.