Poem Analysis - I Want I Want

Introduction: A Cry for Unattainable Fulfillment

Sylvia Plath's "I Want, I Want" is a stark and unsettling poem depicting a primal hunger and the failure of both maternal and paternal figures to satisfy it. The poem opens with an image of infantile need, escalating into a broader critique of patriarchal power and its inherent violence. The tone is initially desperate, shifting to one of cynical observation as the poem progresses. This shift mirrors the speaker's disillusionment with the sources of comfort and authority. The poem is a bleak exploration of unmet desires and the destructive forces that perpetuate this cycle of deprivation.

Context: Plath's Perspective on Power Dynamics

While specific historical events aren't directly referenced, it's useful to consider Plath's personal history and her exploration of gender dynamics. Her experiences as a woman in a male-dominated society and her complex relationship with her father undoubtedly inform the poem's critical stance on patriarchal power. The poem could be interpreted as a broader commentary on the destructive potential of unchecked power, both personal and societal.

Theme: Unmet Needs and Maternal Absence

One central theme is the frustration of fundamental needs. The "baby god" figure represents a raw, essential desire for nourishment and comfort, initially symbolized by the "mother's dug." However, this source is barren: "The dry volcanoes cracked and split." This image of a desolate landscape where sustenance should be emphasizes the poem's sense of lack. The baby's crying underscores the intensity of this unmet need, which is further compounded by the image of "Sand abraded the milkless lip." This suggests a harsh reality that is painful and offers no solace or support.

Theme: The Violent Legacy of Paternal Authority

The poem extends its critique to the father figure, highlighting the destructive nature of patriarchal power. The "father's blood" is not offered as a source of comfort but as the origin of violence. He is depicted as the engineer of predatory forces: "wasp, wolf and shark to work, / Engineered the gannet's beak." This imagery suggests that the father is responsible for creating a world of competition and aggression. Rather than providing care or protection, he actively instigates harm, leaving a legacy of pain and exploitation. The image of the gannet's beak, specifically engineered to rip flesh, underscores the violent precision of this paternal influence.

Theme: The Hollow Crown of Power

Another crucial theme is the emptiness and cruelty of power. The "inveterate patriarch," dry-eyed and emotionless, raises his "men of skin and bone," suggesting a soulless, dehumanized army. The "barbs on the crown of gilded wire, / Thorns on the bloody rose-stem" are potent symbols of pain and suffering masked by superficial grandeur. The "gilded wire" speaks to the false promises of power, while the "bloody rose-stem" reveals the violence at its core. This imagery underscores the hollowness of patriarchal authority, emphasizing its inherent cruelty and its reliance on pain and control.

Symbolism: The Baby God and the Barren Landscape

The "baby god" is a powerful symbol of innocent need and frustrated potential. Its divine status emphasizes the fundamental importance of its desires, while its baby-headedness highlights its vulnerability and dependence. The "dry volcanoes" and "milkless lip" are recurring images of barrenness and lack, symbolizing the absence of nurturing and the failure of both maternal and paternal figures to provide. These stark images reinforce the poem's themes of deprivation and the unfulfilled longing for basic needs.

Conclusion: A Cycle of Unsatisfied Desire and Violence

"I Want, I Want" is a powerful and unsettling poem that explores the destructive consequences of unmet needs and the violence inherent in patriarchal power. Through vivid imagery and a shift from desperate crying to cynical observation, Plath exposes a cycle of deprivation and aggression. The poem serves as a critique of societal structures that fail to provide basic human needs, leading to a perpetuation of pain and suffering. The poem's final impact is a stark reminder of the destructive potential of unsatisfied desire and the hollowness of power attained through violence.