Poem Analysis - The Times Are Tidy

Introduction: A World Without Heroes

Sylvia Plath's "The Times Are Tidy" paints a picture of a stagnant, almost oppressively safe world, where heroism is obsolete and even magic has been eradicated. The poem's tone is initially melancholic and slightly sarcastic, lamenting the lack of challenges and opportunities for greatness. There's a subtle shift towards a resigned acceptance as the poem progresses, acknowledging the potential benefits of this controlled, albeit uninspiring, environment.

Historical echoes: Post-War Disillusionment

While not explicitly stated, the poem resonates with a post-war weariness and a desire for stability. Plath, writing in the mid-20th century, was acutely aware of the devastating effects of conflict and the societal shifts that followed. This historical context informs the poem's sense of a world that has deliberately chosen safety and order over the unpredictable dangers of heroism and revolution, perhaps reflecting a desire to avoid further catastrophe. The "tidy" times are, in a way, a reaction against chaos.

The Death of Heroism: Tamed Ambition

One of the central themes of the poem is the death of heroism and the frustration of unfulfilled potential. The "unlucky hero born / In this province of the stuck record" is immediately disadvantaged. The "stuck record" symbolizes a repetitive, unchanging society where individual initiative is stifled. The lack of "career in the venture / Of riding against the lizard" further emphasizes this point. The "lizard," once a formidable challenge, is now "withered" and harmless, suggesting that even the symbolic obstacles to greatness have been diminished by complacency and stagnation.

Suppressing the Magical: The Cost of Order

Another prominent theme is the suppression of the magical or unconventional in favor of conformity and order. The "last crone" being "burnt up" represents the eradication of anything that deviates from the norm. This image, though violent, leads to the seemingly positive outcome of "better" children and "cream an inch thick" milk. This suggests a trade-off: the imaginative, perhaps dangerous, possibilities of magic are sacrificed for a comfortable, predictable existence. Is it worth the sacrifice?

Conformity and its Fruits: A Creamy Conundrum

The poem explores the ambiguous benefits of enforced conformity. The "children are better for it" and the abundance of "cream an inch thick" are presented as positive results of suppressing dissent and the unconventional. However, this supposed improvement comes at the cost of freedom, imagination, and the potential for heroic action. The image of the thick cream can be interpreted as representing both comfort and stagnation, a symbol of the blandness that results from eliminating risk and individuality. The cow that provides this is thus emblematic of a tamed, domesticated and perhaps ultimately subservient existence.

Symbols of Complacency: Rôtisseries and Withered Lizards

Recurring symbols reinforce the poem's themes. The "mayor's rôtisserie" turning "round of its own accord" symbolizes a self-perpetuating system that requires no effort or innovation. It is a symbol of effortless, mindless repetition. The "withered" lizard, once a symbol of challenge and danger, represents the decline of ambition and the absence of meaningful struggle. Together, these symbols create a vivid image of a society that has chosen ease and stability over excitement and risk.

Conclusion: The Price of Tidiness

"The Times Are Tidy" is a poignant meditation on the costs of conformity and the loss of heroism in a world obsessed with order. Plath's poem offers a complex perspective, acknowledging the potential benefits of a safe and predictable existence while simultaneously lamenting the suppression of individuality and the death of ambition. The poem's final insight is that while "tidiness" may bring comfort and stability, it can also lead to a profound sense of stagnation and a world devoid of the extraordinary. It leaves us questioning if the trade-off is truly worthwhile.