Poem Analysis - Gulliver

Introduction: Imprisonment and Yearning

Sylvia Plath's "Gulliver" presents a stark image of confinement and the desire for escape. The poem opens with detached observation, then shifts into a sense of violated grandeur and simmering resentment. The speaker addresses a figure, Gulliver, who is metaphorically bound and diminished by insidious forces. Ultimately, the poem becomes a plea for transcendence, a reaching for freedom from earthly constraints, all while a quiet anger permeates the verse.

Gulliver Bound: The Theme of Entrapment

A central theme in "Gulliver" is that of entrapment, not just physical but also emotional and intellectual. The image of the "spider-men" winding "their petty fetters" around Gulliver directly evokes the feeling of being bound and restricted. These fetters, described as "silks" and "bribes," suggest that the imprisonment is not necessarily forced, but perhaps subtly manipulated, hinting at societal pressures or even internal weaknesses that contribute to Gulliver's captivity. The "inchworms" conversing "in the valley of your fingers" represent the small, insidious forces that erode freedom and autonomy.

Icarus Reversed: Diminishment and Loss of Perspective

Connected to entrapment is the theme of diminishment. Gulliver, a figure known for his gigantic size and travels, is reduced to lying "on your back, / Eyes to the sky." This posture implies powerlessness and a loss of perspective. The clouds, "High, high and icily," seem indifferent to his plight, emphasizing his isolation. The comparison to swans "having no reflections" further reinforces this sense of loss and detachment. Unlike Gulliver, they have no ties, nothing grounding them. The poem suggests a tragic reversal, a fall from a position of strength and exploration to one of vulnerability and stasis.

Escaping the Cabinet: The Yearning for Transcendence

The concluding lines of the poem express a powerful yearning for transcendence. The speaker urges Gulliver to "Step off!" – a command to break free from his restraints. The "seven leagues" and "distances / That revolve in Crivelli, untouchable" evoke a realm of unattainable beauty and freedom. The desire for "this eye be an eagle, / The shadow of his lip, an abyss" is a call to reclaim power and a more expansive vision. The eagle, a symbol of freedom and strength, represents the potential for liberation, while the abyss suggests the depth of feeling and experience that Gulliver could access if unbound.

Symbols and Ambiguity: A Question of Agency

The "spider-men" and their "petty fetters" are recurring symbols of the forces that bind and restrict Gulliver. Their "silks" and "bribes" raise a question about the nature of his captivity. Is he entirely a victim, or does he bear some responsibility for his situation? The "cabinets" where they "would have you sleep" symbolize a state of being passively observed and dissected, of being reduced to a mere relic. The final image of the eagle presents an ambiguity: is this vision of power a possibility or simply a desperate fantasy, forever out of reach?

Conclusion: A Plea for Freedom and Self-Assertion

"Gulliver" is a compelling exploration of entrapment, diminishment, and the yearning for transcendence. Through vivid imagery and a subtly shifting tone, Plath paints a portrait of a figure constrained by insidious forces. The poem ultimately becomes a powerful plea for freedom and self-assertion, urging the reader – and perhaps Gulliver himself – to break free from the fetters of the world and reclaim a sense of power and autonomy. The unresolved tension between captivity and the dream of liberation leaves the reader contemplating the enduring struggle to overcome the forces that seek to confine us.