Poem Analysis - Metaphors

Introduction: A Pregnant Pause

Sylvia Plath's "Metaphors" is a concise yet evocative exploration of pregnancy. The poem adopts a playful, almost whimsical tone at the start, presenting itself as a riddle. However, underlying this lightheartedness is a sense of burden and inevitability, reflecting the complex emotions associated with carrying a child. The poem moves from describing the physical changes and cravings to acknowledging the life-altering commitment that pregnancy entails.

The Swelling Theme of Creation and Growth

One of the central themes is undoubtedly creation and growth. The abundance of imagery related to size, increase, and food directly points to this. Phrases like "An elephant, a ponderous house," "This loaf's big with its yeasty rising," and "Money's new-minted in this fat purse" all suggest a state of expansion and burgeoning life. The comparison to a "cow in calf" reinforces the natural, biological aspect of creation. These metaphors celebrate the generative power within the speaker, despite any feelings of being overwhelmed.

The Weight of Responsibility

Linked to creation is the theme of responsibility and the loss of self. While the poem celebrates new life, there's also an undertone of constraint. The "elephant" and "ponderous house" imagery, while suggesting grandeur, also hints at being cumbersome and confined. The line "I'm a means, a stage, a cow in calf" emphasizes the speaker's role as a vessel, a tool for another's development, potentially at the expense of her own individual identity. The "fat purse" could also be interpreted as a financial burden or a loss of control over one's resources.

A Journey Without Return

The theme of inevitability and irreversible change emerges powerfully in the final lines. The image of having "eaten a bag of green apples" could symbolize giving in to temptation or succumbing to cravings, but also perhaps a first step on a road with unavoidable consequences. The concluding line, "Boarded the train there's no getting off," encapsulates the feeling of being committed to a journey from which there is no return. This stark statement acknowledges the transformative and permanent nature of motherhood.

Symbolism of Food and Objects

The poem is rich with symbolic imagery. Food plays a significant role, representing nourishment and growth, but also desire and potential excess. The "red fruit, ivory, fine timbers!" could symbolize the developing baby, hinting at its physical form and the preciousness of new life. The "melon strolling on two tendrils" is a particularly striking image, playfully personifying the pregnant belly. The “train” symbolizes the journey of motherhood, one embarked on without the possibility of turning back. The question arises: is this journey viewed with trepidation or acceptance, or perhaps both?

Conclusion: Embracing Transformation

"Metaphors" is a complex and multifaceted poem that explores the physical and emotional realities of pregnancy. While it uses playful imagery to describe the physical changes, it also acknowledges the burden of responsibility and the inevitability of change. The poem ultimately presents a portrait of a woman grappling with transformation, caught between the wonder of creation and the acceptance of a new, irreversible path. It's a powerful testament to the multifaceted experience of becoming a mother.