Poem Analysis - Two Views Of A Cadaver Room

Introduction: A Dance with Death

Sylvia Plath's "Two Views Of a Cadaver Room" juxtaposes the grim reality of death with the oblivious joy of love, creating a darkly ironic and unsettling experience. The poem shifts between detached observation and sensual immersion, highlighting the fleeting nature of beauty and the ever-present shadow of mortality. The tone is initially clinical and somewhat grotesque, transitioning to a more romantic, albeit doomed, perspective. Plath masterfully uses imagery to emphasize the stark contrast between life and death, love and decay.

Historical Context: Plath's Personal Struggles

While a direct link between Plath's personal life and the poem's specific imagery isn't explicitly stated, it's important to acknowledge the context of her life and work. Plath struggled with mental illness throughout her life, and her poetry often grapples with themes of death, despair, and the fragility of existence. This personal struggle likely informed the poem's unflinching portrayal of death and its exploration of the human tendency to ignore unpleasant realities.

Theme 1: Mortality's Grip

The theme of mortality is central to the poem, vividly depicted through the descriptions of the cadavers. The opening lines are stark and brutal: "They had four men laid out, black as burnt turkey, / Already half unstrung." This imagery emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of death, reducing human beings to mere objects of dissection. The "vinegary fume / Of the death vats" further reinforces the poem's focus on decay and the physical processes of dying. The description of the "rubble of skull plates and old leather" of the cadaver's head underscores the finality and destructiveness of death. Even the "snail-nosed babies moon and glow" in jars serve as reminders of life cut short, existing as specimens rather than living beings.

Theme 2: Love's Blindness

Juxtaposed with the graphic imagery of death is the theme of love, presented as a form of blissful ignorance. The second stanza contrasts sharply with the first, depicting "Two people only are blind to the carrion army." These lovers are engrossed in their own world, oblivious to the surrounding decay. He "sings in the direction / Of her bare shoulder," while she "bends, / Finger a leaflet of music, over him." This image suggests a tender, intimate moment, but it is tragically undercut by the knowledge that their happiness is fleeting. Their love becomes a form of denial, a willful refusal to acknowledge the inevitable presence of death.

Theme 3: The Fleeting Nature of Beauty

The poem also explores the transient nature of beauty and pleasure. The lovers in the second stanza, described as "Flemish lovers" who "flourish," are explicitly told that they will "not for long." This line serves as a stark reminder that even the most beautiful and vibrant moments are ultimately temporary. The "death's-head shadowing their song" symbolizes the ever-present threat of mortality, lurking beneath the surface of their happiness. The image of desolation "stalled in paint" suggests that even art, a means of preserving beauty, cannot ultimately conquer death.

Recurring Symbols: Hearts and Skulls

The cut-out heart, handed to the woman like a "cracked heirloom," is a particularly potent symbol. On one level, it represents the literal organ removed from the cadaver, a chilling reminder of the physical reality of death. However, it also symbolizes the human heart in a metaphorical sense – vulnerable, damaged, and ultimately perishable. The "death's-head" is another recurring symbol, representing mortality and serving as a constant reminder of the lovers' eventual fate. The presence of the skull implies that death is not merely an abstract concept but an active force shadowing human existence.

Conclusion: A Grim Meditation on Existence

In conclusion, "Two Views Of a Cadaver Room" is a powerful and unsettling poem that explores the complex relationship between love, death, and beauty. Plath uses vivid imagery and stark contrasts to highlight the fragility of human existence and the inevitability of mortality. The poem's final message is a somber one, suggesting that even in moments of joy and intimacy, the shadow of death is always present. The poem's enduring power lies in its unflinching portrayal of the darker aspects of human existence and its exploration of our attempts to find meaning and connection in the face of mortality.