Poem Analysis - Resolve

A Day of Quiet Despair

Sylvia Plath's "Resolve" is a poignant snapshot of a day steeped in muted despair and a conscious decision to endure rather than confront. The poem's tone is initially passive and melancholic, reflecting a sense of weariness and resignation. This mood slowly shifts towards a fragile, almost defiant acceptance as the speaker resolves to refrain from reactive bitterness. Through vivid imagery and subtle symbolism, Plath crafts a portrait of inner turmoil momentarily held at bay.

The Burden of Expectation and Conformity

Given Plath's well-documented struggles with mental health and societal expectations, it's difficult to ignore the potential influence of these factors on her work. While "Resolve" doesn't explicitly reference these struggles, the final lines hint at a pressure to conform and the speaker's deliberate choice not to challenge those who hold authority ("twelve black-gowned examiners"). This could symbolize academic pressures, societal judgments, or even internal critics that the speaker is choosing, for today at least, not to engage with.

Themes of Resignation and Acceptance

One prominent theme is resignation, evident in the poem's opening lines, "Day of mist: day of tarnish / with hands / unserviceable, I wait." This imagery suggests a feeling of helplessness and an inability to act or change the situation. The speaker's inaction is further emphasized by the repetitive "I wait," reinforcing the sense of passive endurance. However, this passive state evolves into a fragile acceptance. The speaker's ultimate "resolve" – "today I will not / disenchant my twelve black-gowned examiners / or bunch my fist / in the wind's sneer" – indicates a conscious decision to refrain from negativity and embrace a temporary truce with her circumstances. Furthermore, the natural world is depicted in a state of decay, yet the poem does not express revulsion, subtly hinting at the acceptance of the natural order of things.

Symbolism of the Natural World

Several potent symbols emerge within the poem's natural imagery. The "one-eared cat" might symbolize resilience or imperfection embraced. The "coal fire" suggests a small, controlled source of warmth and comfort amidst the cold and gray surroundings. The "little hedge leaves" turning "quite yellow" represent the inevitability of decay and the passage of time. Perhaps the most striking image is that of the "two water drops poise / on the arched green / stem of my neighbor's rose bush," which, when coupled with the following line, "o bent bow of thorns," highlights the delicate balance between beauty and pain, hope and suffering. The rose, typically a symbol of love and beauty, is presented here with its thorns emphasized, reminding us of the pain that often accompanies beauty.

A Temporary Truce with Despair

In conclusion, "Resolve" is a powerful exploration of a single day where the speaker chooses not to fight her inner demons, but instead to observe and endure. The poem's significance lies in its portrayal of a fragile truce with despair. While the speaker acknowledges the bleakness of her surroundings and the internal pressures she faces, she resolves to refrain from reactive bitterness, suggesting a temporary, yet important, victory. The poem leaves the reader contemplating the complex relationship between acceptance and resistance, and the small acts of will that can sustain us in the face of adversity.