Sylvia Plath’s use the theme of motherhood in her poem Morning Song

Answer

How does Sylvia Plath use the theme of motherhood in her poem “Morning Song”?

Sylvia Plath‘s (1932 – 1963) masterpiece “Morning Song” was first published in 1961. The poem explores the theme of motherhood in a complex and nuanced way. The poem was written shortly after the birth of her first child, Frieda. The poem reflects Plath’s experiences and emotions as a new mother. Here’s an analysis of how she uses the theme of motherhood in the poem:

Ambivalence and Detachment: “Morning Song” begins with detachment and ambivalence (having mixed feelings). The speaker describes the baby as a “fat gold watch” and mentions how the baby’s cry is like a “new statue.” This initial detachment suggests the speaker’s struggle to connect with her newborn child, a common experience for many new mothers.

“I’m no more your mother
Than the cloud that distills a mirror to reflect its own slow
Effacement at the wind’s hand.”

The speaker describes a sense of separation or distance from the newborn in these lines. She suggests that motherhood is a role she is beginning to understand and inhabit. The comparison to a cloud and its reflection emphasizes the fluid and evolving nature of the mother-child relationship.

At this early stage, the mother is still coming to terms with her new identity as a mother. Plath captures the mixed emotions that can accompany motherhood, including feelings of uncertainty and distance.

Metaphorical Language: Plath uses rich and vivid metaphors throughout the poem to convey the speaker’s evolving feelings toward motherhood. For example, she compares the baby’s cry to “a handful of notes” and the baby herself to “a new statue.”

“Whitens and swallows its dull stars. And now you try
Your handful of notes;
The clear vowels rise like balloons.”

These metaphors help create a sense of wonder and distance, highlighting the complexity of the mother-child relationship.

Maternal Love and Responsibility: As the poem moves, the speaker’s feelings toward her child develop. She mentions that the baby’s cry is “familiar”