Poem Analysis - Never Try To Trick Me With A Kiss

Introduction: A Cynical Rejection

Sylvia Plath's "Never Try To Trick Me With A Kiss" is a powerfully cynical poem that rejects superficial gestures of comfort and optimism in the face of life's harsh realities. The poem's tone is consistently skeptical and world-weary, emphasizing the futility of false promises and the inevitability of disappointment. It presents a grim view of existence, where joy is fleeting and suffering is constant. The insistent repetition of the refrain reinforces the speaker's adamant refusal to be deceived by empty sentiment.

The Shadow of Disillusionment: Themes of Deception and Mortality

The poem explores several intertwined themes, most notably deception and mortality. The repeated line, "Never try to trick me with a kiss," speaks directly to the theme of deception. The speaker is acutely aware of the ways in which people attempt to mask the unpleasant truths of life with superficial displays of affection and false hope. This refusal to be fooled highlights a deep distrust of insincerity. Woven into this is the undeniable thread of mortality, brought sharply into focus by the presence of "the dying man." His scoffing and scorn serve as a constant reminder of the impending end, rendering attempts at comfort meaningless and even insulting.

Images of False Hope and Fleeting Joy

Plath employs vivid imagery to underscore the transient nature of joy and the prevalence of deception. The "birds" that are "here to stay" represent a fleeting moment of happiness and promise, quickly dispelled by the speaker's skepticism. This imagery reinforces the idea that such moments are temporary and unreliable. The "suave eternal serpents" promising "bliss" evoke the biblical image of temptation and the seductive allure of false promises, particularly those that prey on the desires of "mortal children." These images build on each other to create a sense of pervasive deceit and the inevitability of disillusionment.

Symbolism: The Kiss as a False Promise

The central symbol of the poem is the "kiss" itself. It represents not genuine affection or connection, but rather a superficial attempt to conceal the underlying pain and suffering of existence. The speaker views the kiss as a manipulative tactic, a way to distract from the harsh realities of life. This is further reinforced by the image of the "stone" that "can masquerade where no heart is," suggesting that outward appearances are often deceptive and that true feeling is absent. The kiss, therefore, becomes a symbol of emptiness and falsehood, something to be actively resisted.

The Dying Man: A Harbinger of Truth

The constant presence of "the dying man" is crucial to understanding the poem's message. His "scoff and scorn" act as a counterpoint to the attempts at comfort and reassurance. He represents a perspective unburdened by illusions, a stark reminder of the inevitable end that awaits everyone. Is he a literal dying man or a symbolic representation of facing mortality? His perspective, born from proximity to death, exposes the hollowness of the "kiss" and other such gestures. He embodies a brutal honesty that refuses to be swayed by false promises, serving as a grim truth-teller within the poem.

Conclusion: A Stark Acceptance of Reality

In conclusion, "Never Try To Trick Me With A Kiss" is a powerful expression of disillusionment and a rejection of superficial comfort in the face of mortality. Plath's poem uses vivid imagery and relentless repetition to convey a sense of pervasive deception and the fleeting nature of joy. The speaker's adamant refusal to be tricked, coupled with the ever-present reminder of the "dying man," underscores a stark acceptance of life's harsh realities, suggesting that genuine understanding lies not in seeking false comfort, but in confronting the truth, however painful it may be.