Poem Analysis - Last Words

Introduction: A Fierce Embrace of the Material World

Sylvia Plath's "Last Words" is a defiant and intensely personal meditation on death. The poem rejects traditional notions of spirituality and embraces the tangible, finding solace not in an afterlife, but in the familiar objects of this world. The tone is assertive and almost confrontational, laced with a dark humor and a pragmatic acceptance of mortality. There are shifts from a desire for memorable burial to a contemplation of the spirit's departure, and finally, to a comforting image of earthly possessions. This is not a gentle farewell, but a fierce declaration of self in the face of oblivion.

Theme: Rejecting the Spiritual, Embracing the Physical

One of the central themes of the poem is the rejection of the spiritual in favor of the physical and material. Plath explicitly states, "I do not trust the spirit. It escapes like steam." This distrust stems from the spirit's ephemeral nature, its inability to be controlled or held onto. In contrast, she longs for the permanence of objects, the "little particular lusters" that are "Warmed by much handling." The comfort she seeks is not in a heavenly reward, but in the tangible presence of her possessions, represented by her tortoise's "blue eye" and her "copper cooking pots." These objects, unlike the fleeting spirit, offer a sense of continuity and connection to her lived experience.

Theme: Mortality and the Search for Remembrance

The poem grapples with the inevitability of death and the desire to leave a lasting impression. The opening lines reveal a wish for an extravagant burial: "I do not want a plain box, I want a sarcophagus/With tigery stripes, and a face on it/Round as the moon, to stare up." This isn't about vanity, but about controlling her narrative even in death, dictating how she will be remembered. The "pale, star-distance faces" of those who come to mourn her are described with detachment, highlighting the separation between the living and the dead. The line "They will wonder if I was important," underscores a deep-seated anxiety about being forgotten, leading to the poignant realization that she "should sugar and preserve my days like fruit!" – to savor and make lasting her experiences.

Theme: The Power of the Mundane Against the Darkness

Another key theme is the power of everyday objects to provide solace and meaning in the face of darkness. As death approaches, represented by the "clouding over" mirror and the whitening flowers, Plath turns to the comfort of her personal belongings. The "copper cooking pots" and "rouge pots" are not simply possessions; they are imbued with a sense of warmth and familiarity, like "night flowers, with a good smell." They offer a counterpoint to the vastness and emptiness of death, providing a tangible connection to life and identity. The final image of the "shine of these small things sweeter than the face of Ishtar" is particularly powerful, suggesting that the personal and mundane can be more comforting and meaningful than even the promises of a divine afterlife.

Symbolism: Mirrors and Sarcophagi – Reflections of Self

The poem is rich in symbolism. The mirror, "clouding over," represents the fading of self and the approach of death. It reflects the speaker's physical form, which is gradually disappearing. The sarcophagus, on the other hand, symbolizes a desire for lasting recognition and a control over her own image in death. The "tigery stripes" and the "face on it/Round as the moon" suggest a forceful, even defiant presence. These two symbols, the fading reflection and the constructed monument, highlight the tension between the inevitability of physical decay and the desire for enduring significance. The tortoise's "blue eye" acts as a contrasting symbol. It signifies a consistent, quiet comfort rooted in the tangible world that persists beyond the speaker's self.

Conclusion: Defiant Acceptance

"Last Words" is a powerful and unconventional poem about death. It rejects traditional notions of spirituality and finds comfort in the tangible world. Through vivid imagery and assertive language, Plath explores the themes of mortality, remembrance, and the power of everyday objects to provide solace. The poem is ultimately a testament to the importance of living fully and embracing the present moment, even in the face of oblivion. It offers a unique and deeply personal perspective on death, one that is both defiant and profoundly moving. The question remains whether this embrace of the material fully alleviates the inherent anxieties of mortality or merely serves as a temporary shield against the unknown.