Poem Analysis - Finisterre

Sylvia Plath's "Finisterre," named for a region often considered "the end of the world," is a powerful meditation on mortality, faith, and the overwhelming indifference of nature. The poem evokes a sense of bleakness and resignation, initially dwelling on the harsh, unforgiving landscape before shifting to observations of religious devotion and the commercialization of grief. The tone is largely somber and contemplative, marked by vivid imagery and a sense of unease. A subtle shift occurs towards the end, introducing a note of worldly practicality that offers a fragile contrast to the earlier despair.

The Edge of Existence: Mortality and Landscape

The poem opens with a stark depiction of the physical landscape, immediately establishing the theme of mortality. The description of the land as "the last fingers, knuckled and rheumatic, / Cramped on nothing" paints a picture of aged fragility and finality. The "Black admonitory cliffs, and the sea exploding / With no bottom" contribute to a sense of existential dread, suggesting the vastness and meaninglessness of existence in the face of death. The phrase "Whitened by the faces of the drowned" is a chilling reminder of the lives claimed by the sea, further emphasizing the power and omnipresence of death. The imagery of "Leftover soldiers from old, messy wars" suggests not only past battles but also the ongoing struggle against mortality itself, a battle that the rocks, like the soldiers, are destined to lose eventually.

Faith and Futility: Religious Devotion

The middle section of the poem explores the theme of faith, but in a way that ultimately underscores its futility. The image of "Our Lady of the Shipwrecked" striding toward the horizon, while seemingly powerful, is undermined by the fact that she "does not hear what the sailor or the peasant is saying." This suggests a disconnect between the human need for divine intervention and the actual response, or lack thereof, from a higher power. The depiction of the peasant woman "praying to the monument of the sailor praying" highlights the layers of remove and the potential emptiness of religious rituals. The sea, personified as being "in love with the beautiful formlessness of the sea," becomes a more potent force than any deity, indifferent to human suffering and devotion.

Indifference and Commerce: The Sea’s Trinkets

The poem concludes with a shift toward the mundane, highlighting the commercialization of grief and the indifference of nature. The "Gull-colored laces" and "postcard stalls" juxtapose the beauty of the natural world with its exploitation for profit. The peasants' tales of "pretty trinkets the sea hides" coming from a "tropical and blue" place rather than the "Bay of the Dead" is a way of sanitizing the harsh reality of the sea and its potential for destruction. The final lines, "These are our crêpes. Eat them before they blow cold," offer a moment of stark pragmatism, a reminder that life goes on, even in the face of death and despair. The crêpes provide a fleeting moment of sensory pleasure but are ultimately transient, mirroring the fleeting nature of life itself.

Symbols: Mist and Sea

The poem is rich in symbolism, with the mist and the sea serving as particularly potent images. The mists, described as "Souls, rolled in the doom-noise of the sea," represent the ephemeral nature of human existence and the constant presence of death. They "bruise the rocks out of existence, then resurrect them," highlighting the cyclical nature of destruction and renewal. The sea, on the other hand, symbolizes both the vastness and power of nature and its inherent indifference to human suffering. Its "formlessness" is beautiful but also terrifying, representing the unknown and unknowable aspects of existence. Could the "formlessness" of the sea also symbolize the chaos inherent to life, and the human desire to assign order and meaning to it through religion and commerce?

Final Thoughts: A Bleak but Beautiful Vision

"Finisterre" is a bleak yet beautiful exploration of mortality, faith, and the human condition. Plath uses vivid imagery and a somber tone to convey a sense of unease and resignation in the face of nature's indifference. While the poem offers no easy answers or comforting platitudes, it provides a powerful and thought-provoking meditation on the fragility of life and the enduring power of the natural world. Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the human capacity for both resilience and despair in the face of the unknown.