Poem Analysis - Miss Drake Proceeds To Supper

Introduction: A Precarious Journey

Sylvia Plath's "Miss Drake Proceeds To Supper" paints a vivid and unsettling portrait of a woman navigating a seemingly hostile environment. The poem immediately establishes a tense atmosphere, filled with hidden dangers and anxieties. Miss Drake, the "new woman in the ward," is depicted as both fragile and resilient, carefully maneuvering through a world that appears to be conspiring against her. The tone is predominantly apprehensive, shifting subtly towards cautious triumph as she reaches her destination, though the underlying sense of vulnerability remains palpable.

A World Turned Hostile: The Theme of Isolation

One of the poem's central themes is isolation, and it is conveyed through the depiction of a world that seems actively malevolent towards Miss Drake. The inanimate objects, such as the "knotted table and crooked chair," are imbued with "malice," suggesting a deep-seated feeling of alienation. She is described as moving "among her secret combinations of eggshells / And breakable hummingbirds," highlighting her delicate nature and her retreat into a private, possibly delusional, world. The imagery of the cabbage-roses "devour[ing] and drag[ging] her down" further reinforces the sense that the environment is not only indifferent but actively predatory, trapping her in a terrifying reality.

Danger Lurks: Vivid Imagery of Peril

The poem is rich in imagery that contributes to its unsettling atmosphere and underscores the theme of danger. The "perilous needles" that "grain the floorboards" suggest hidden threats and potential harm, while the "bright shards / Of broken glass" in her "ambushed air" create a sense of fragmentation and vulnerability. These images are not merely decorative; they serve to externalize Miss Drake's internal anxieties and the constant sense of danger she perceives in her surroundings. The metaphor of the roses attempting to "devour" her is particularly striking, transforming a commonplace object into a symbol of oppressive forces.

"The New Woman": A Fragile Identity

The phrase "new woman in the ward" hints at a possible theme of fragile identity and mental instability. The designation "new woman" could imply a changing societal role, a woman perhaps struggling to find her place in a world that doesn't quite accommodate her. The fact that she's in a "ward" suggests a mental institution, reinforcing the idea that her perception of reality is skewed. Her careful steps and constant vigilance suggest a fear of losing control or being overwhelmed by the environment. The "webbed foot" image is particularly evocative, perhaps suggesting an unnatural or deformed state, adding to the sense of her otherness and disconnection from the "normal" world. Is the description of the surroundings literal, or a manifestation of her internal struggle?

Concluding Thoughts: The Resilience of the Precarious

In conclusion, "Miss Drake Proceeds To Supper" is a powerful and disquieting poem that explores themes of isolation, danger, and fragile identity. Through vivid imagery and a tense atmosphere, Plath creates a compelling portrait of a woman navigating a hostile environment, both external and internal. Miss Drake's careful steps and wary breath suggest a profound vulnerability, but also a quiet resilience. The poem ultimately leaves the reader contemplating the precarious nature of sanity and the enduring human capacity to persevere even in the face of overwhelming adversity.