Poem Analysis - Nick And The Candlestick

A Descent into Darkness: An Overview

Sylvia Plath's "Nick And The Candlestick" is a haunting journey into a dark, interior landscape, reflecting themes of birth, death, and love's tentative survival. The poem begins with a stark, claustrophobic atmosphere, thick with images of decay and cold. As the poem progresses, a fragile hope emerges with the presence of a child, offering a counterpoint to the surrounding darkness. The tone shifts subtly from despair and isolation to a cautious optimism, anchored by the love for this new life.

The Miner's Interior World: A Journey Through Trauma

The opening lines immediately establish a sense of deep entrenchment, both literal and metaphorical. The speaker identifies as "a miner," suggesting an exploration of the self, digging deep into the subconscious. The "light burns blue," an unnatural color, hinting at something distorted or unhealthy. The cave setting, described as an "earthen womb," represents a place of both creation and stagnation. It "exudes from its dead boredom," highlighting a stifling sense of confinement and lack of vitality. The "Black bat airs" and "Cold homicides" create a menacing atmosphere, suggesting a past trauma or ongoing psychological struggle that clings to the speaker.

Love and Survival: The Enduring Flame

The poem grapples with the themes of love and survival amidst overwhelming despair. The arrival of the "embryo" signifies a flicker of hope within the oppressive darkness. The child, referred to as "O love," becomes a symbol of resilience and renewal. The image of the "blood blooms clean / In you, ruby" suggests a cleansing, a purification that contrasts sharply with the surrounding decay. The speaker's declaration, "I have hung our cave with roses," represents an effort to soften the harsh reality and create a nurturing environment, albeit with the "last of Victoriana," suggesting a clinging to fading beauty.

Religious Imagery: Twisted Faith and Redemption

Plath employs striking religious imagery, but it is often twisted and unsettling. The "newts" are described as "holy Joes," a sarcastic term that undermines their sanctity. The "fish" become a nightmarish vision, likened to "panes of ice," "a vice of knives," and "a piranha / Religion." This disturbing imagery suggests a corrupted or destructive form of faith, one that threatens to consume the speaker. The "piranha / Religion, drinking / Its first communion out of my live toes" is a particularly visceral image, conveying a sense of violation and pain. However, the image of the baby, described as "the baby in the barn," alludes to the birth of Christ, offering a glimmer of hope and redemption, a potential for new beginnings.

Symbolism of Light and Darkness: A Dichotomy of Hope

The poem relies heavily on the symbolism of light and darkness to convey its central themes. The "candlestick" and its "yellows hearten" represent a fragile but persistent source of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness. The "stars" are invited to "Plummet to their dark address," suggesting a rejection of traditional sources of light and guidance. The "mercuric / Atoms that cripple drip / Into the terrible well" symbolize toxins, both literal and metaphorical, that threaten to poison the environment. However, the child is presented as "the one / Solid the spaces lean on," a grounding force that provides stability and strength in a chaotic world. Is the candle enough to sustain hope, or will the darkness ultimately consume the light?

Concluding Thoughts: Hope's Uncertain Hold

"Nick And The Candlestick" is a powerful exploration of the complex relationship between despair and hope, death and birth. Through vivid imagery and shifting tones, Plath creates a haunting portrait of a woman grappling with inner demons while simultaneously embracing the possibility of new life. The poem's significance lies in its raw honesty and its unflinching portrayal of the darkness that can coexist with love and the enduring human capacity to find glimmers of hope even in the most challenging circumstances. The poem ultimately leaves the reader with a sense of cautious optimism, recognizing the fragility of hope in the face of overwhelming darkness.