Poem Analysis - The Snowman On The Moor

Introduction: A Battle of Wills and the Moor's Intervention

Sylvia Plath's "The Snowman on the Moor" is a powerful narrative poem that explores themes of pride, defiance, and the humbling power of nature. The poem opens with a domestic dispute escalating into a symbolic battle of wills, then shifts into a surreal encounter on the desolate moor. The tone begins as accusatory and angry, transitions to one of determined defiance, and finally concludes with a sense of humbled acceptance. Ultimately, the poem suggests that unchecked pride can lead to destructive confrontations, but that confronting a larger, more indifferent force can bring about a necessary and restorative self-awareness.

Pride and Defiance: The Seeds of Conflict

One of the central themes of the poem is the destructive nature of unchecked pride. The poem begins with a heated argument, where the woman, feeling insulted and dishonored, storms out. Her actions are driven by a desire to "win/Him to his knees," indicating a need to assert dominance and force submission. The phrase "Come find me"—her last taunt" showcases her defiant pride and belief in her own importance. She seeks to be pursued and placated. This initial conflict, rooted in pride and a refusal to compromise, sets the stage for the woman's journey onto the moor, a symbolic representation of her internal turmoil.

The Moor as a Mirror: Reflecting Internal Turmoil

The moor itself functions as a potent symbol of the woman’s psychological state. The "stark wind-harrowed hills and weltering mist" reflect the harshness of her emotions and the confusion of her thoughts. Her crossing of the "moor snows/Pocked by rock-claw and rabbit-track" highlights the difficult and unforgiving path she has chosen. The landscape's desolation mirrors her internal isolation and the emotional barrenness resulting from the conflict. Her expectation of encountering a "fire-blurting fork-tailed demon" reveals the exaggerated, almost theatrical, nature of her anger and her willingness to embrace dramatic, even destructive, forces to achieve her aims.

The Snowman's Judgment: A Confrontation with Indifference

The appearance of the "grisly-thewed, /Austere, corpse-white Giant" is a pivotal moment in the poem. The Snowman, a figure of imposing size and terrifying indifference, represents the cold, impersonal forces of nature and perhaps a larger judgment against pride. The "ladies' sheaved skulls" dangling from his belt are particularly striking. They symbolize the consequences of using "wit" and "masteries" to manipulate and undermine power structures ("kings, unmanned kings' sons"). Their "chittering" serves as a warning against the dangers of female hubris and the potential for such pride to backfire. The Snowman's destruction ("Crumbled to smoke") is not necessarily a victory for the woman, but rather a demonstration of the transient nature of even the most imposing forces and the ultimate futility of her rage against the world.

Humbled Acceptance: A Path Towards Reconciliation

The poem concludes with the woman "humbled then, and crying," turning "homeward, brimful of gentle talk/And mild obeying." This ending suggests a shift in her attitude. The encounter with the Snowman, a force far greater and more indifferent than her husband, has brought her to a state of humility and a willingness to reconcile. The "gentle talk/And mild obeying" are not necessarily signs of complete submission, but perhaps an acknowledgment of the need for compromise and a recognition of the limitations of her own power and pride. The poem leaves open the possibility of a more balanced and harmonious relationship, forged from the ashes of conflict and a new understanding of self.