Lady Lazarus Summary by Sylvia Plath

Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus” is a poem that packs a punch. It’s intense, raw, and doesn’t pull any punches. If you’re diving into this poem for the first time, or even if you’ve read it before, you might find yourself scratching your head and wondering, “What’s going on here?

” Don’t worry, you’re not alone. This poem is like a puzzle with many pieces, and we’re going to put them together step by step.

In this post, we’ll break down “Lady Lazarus” into bite-sized chunks. We’ll look at what the poem is about, why it’s important, and what makes it so powerful. By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of this complex work and maybe even a new appreciation for Plath’s genius.

So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started on our journey through “Lady Lazarus.”

Background: Who Was Sylvia Plath?

Before we jump into the poem, let’s talk about the woman behind the words. Sylvia Plath wasn’t just any poet – she was a force of nature in the literary world.

Born in 1932 in Boston, Plath was a bright spark from the get-go. She started writing early and published her first poem at just eight years old. Talk about an early bloomer! But Plath’s life wasn’t all sunshine and roses. She struggled with depression throughout her life, which often found its way into her writing.

Plath is known for her confessional style of poetry. What’s that, you ask? Well, it’s pretty much what it sounds like – poetry that’s deeply personal, often revealing the poet’s inner thoughts and feelings. It’s like getting a peek into someone’s diary, but with really beautiful words.

“Lady Lazarus” was written in 1962, just a few months before Plath’s death by suicide in 1963. It’s considered one of her most famous and powerful poems, and it’s often studied in literature classes around the world.

Now that we know a bit about Plath, let’s dive into the poem itself.

The Poem: “Lady Lazarus” at a Glance

“Lady Lazarus” is like a rollercoaster ride through the speaker’s experiences with death and rebirth. It’s intense, it’s dark, and it’s not afraid to go to some pretty uncomfortable places.

The poem is written in short, punchy three-line stanzas called tercets. It’s got a rhythm that kind of sounds like a heartbeat, which makes sense when you think about the themes of life and death in the poem.

The speaker in the poem compares herself to Lazarus, a biblical figure who was brought back to life by Jesus. But instead of just one resurrection, the speaker claims to have died and come back to life three times already. She describes these experiences in vivid, often disturbing detail.

Throughout the poem, the speaker uses imagery related to the Holocaust, circuses, and magic shows. It’s a wild mix, but somehow Plath makes it work to create a powerful statement about survival, suffering, and the spectacle of pain.

Now, let’s break down the poem section by section to really understand what’s going on.

The Opening: Setting the Stage

The poem kicks off with a bang:

“I have done it again. One year in every ten I manage it—”

Right from the start, we’re thrown into the middle of something. The speaker has “done it again,” but what exactly is “it”? We soon find out she’s talking about dying and coming back to life.

This opening sets up the poem’s central idea: the speaker as a repeat survivor of death. It’s like she’s saying, “Yeah, I’ve been here before, and I’ll probably be here again.” There’s a sense of weariness, but also a kind of dark pride in her ability to keep coming back.

The speaker then goes on to describe herself:

“A sort of walking miracle, my skin Bright as a Nazi lampshade, My right foot

A paperweight, My face a featureless, fine Jew linen.”

These lines are shocking, and they’re meant to be. By comparing parts of her body to objects associated with the Holocaust, the speaker is linking her personal suffering to one of the greatest atrocities in human history. It’s a bold move, and it immediately grabs our attention.

The Holocaust Imagery: A Controversial Choice

Throughout the poem, Plath uses imagery related to the Holocaust. This was and still is a controversial choice. Some readers find it powerful, while others see it as insensitive or inappropriate.

Here are a few examples:

“Ash, ash— You poke and stir. Flesh, bone, there is nothing there—”

These lines evoke the image of crematoriums in Nazi concentration camps. The speaker is comparing herself to the victims of the Holocaust, reduced to ash and bone.

“A cake of soap, A wedding ring, A gold filling.”

These items reference the horrific practices in Nazi camps, where human remains were sometimes used to make everyday objects.

By using these images, Plath is drawing a parallel between the speaker’s personal suffering and the massive, collective suffering of the Holocaust. It’s a way of saying, “My pain is so great, it’s comparable to one of the worst events in human history.”

This use of Holocaust imagery is one of the most debated aspects of the poem. Some argue that it’s a powerful way to convey the depth of the speaker’s pain. Others feel that it trivializes the experiences of Holocaust victims. There’s no easy answer, and it’s something that readers and scholars continue to discuss.

The Circus and the Spectacle

Another major theme in “Lady Lazarus” is the idea of suffering as a spectacle. The speaker presents her deaths and rebirths as a kind of performance:

“The peanut-crunching crowd Shoves in to see

Them unwrap me hand and foot— The big strip tease.”

Here, the speaker compares her experiences to a circus sideshow. The crowd comes to gawk at her pain, treating it like entertainment. It’s a pretty harsh critique of how society often treats people who are suffering.

This theme continues with lines like:

“Dying Is an art, like everything else. I do it exceptionally well.”

The speaker is saying that she’s become so good at dying and coming back to life that it’s like a performance art. There’s a bitter irony here – she’s proud of her ability to survive, but also resentful of having to go through these experiences.

The imagery of performance and spectacle reaches its peak near the end of the poem:

“There is a charge

For the eyeing of my scars, there is a charge For the hearing of my heart— It really goes.

And there is a charge, a very large charge For a word or a touch Or a bit of blood”

Here, the speaker is literally charging admission for people to see her suffering. It’s a powerful statement about how pain can be commodified and turned into entertainment.

The Phoenix Rising: Rebirth and Revenge

As we near the end of the poem, the tone shifts. The speaker, who has been describing her suffering and her role as a spectacle, suddenly becomes more assertive:

“Ash, ash— You poke and stir. Flesh, bone, there is nothing there—

A cake of soap, A wedding ring, A gold filling.

Herr God, Herr Lucifer Beware Beware.

Out of the ash I rise with my red hair And I eat men like air.”

These final lines are a declaration of power. The speaker, who has been reduced to ash (like the victims of the Holocaust), suddenly rises again. She’s no longer a victim but a force to be reckoned with.

The image of rising from the ash is reminiscent of the phoenix, a mythical bird that burns and is reborn from its own ashes. It’s a powerful symbol of renewal and resilience.

The final line, “And I eat men like air,” is particularly striking. After all the suffering and objectification described in the poem, the speaker is now the one with power. She’s no longer the spectacle but the one in control.

This ending turns the entire poem on its head. What started as a description of repeated suffering becomes a declaration of strength and a warning to those who would try to control or destroy the speaker.

Themes in “Lady Lazarus”

Now that we’ve walked through the poem, let’s take a step back and look at some of the big ideas Plath is wrestling with.

1. Death and Rebirth

This is the central theme of the poem. The speaker describes dying and coming back to life multiple times. It’s not just about physical death, though. It could also be about emotional or psychological “deaths” – times when the speaker felt destroyed but managed to recover.

2. Suffering and Survival

The poem is full of images of pain and suffering, but it’s also about survival. The speaker keeps coming back, no matter how many times she “dies.” There’s a kind of resilience here, even if it comes at a great cost.

3. The Spectacle of Pain

Plath critiques the way society often treats suffering as entertainment. The speaker’s pain is turned into a show for others to watch and consume.

4. Power and Powerlessness

Throughout most of the poem, the speaker seems powerless – she’s objectified, reduced to parts, turned into a spectacle. But in the end, she claims her power in a dramatic way.

5. Identity and Self

The speaker’s identity is constantly shifting in the poem. She’s Lazarus, she’s a Holocaust victim, she’s a circus performer, she’s a phoenix. This could reflect the struggle to maintain a sense of self in the face of trauma and suffering.

6. Gender and Oppression

While not explicitly stated, there’s an undercurrent of gender issues in the poem. The speaker, presumably female (given the title “Lady” Lazarus), is objectified and put on display. Her final act of eating “men like air” could be seen as a rejection of patriarchal oppression.

Literary Devices in “Lady Lazarus”

Plath uses a variety of literary devices to create the poem’s powerful effect. Here are a few key ones:

1. Allusion

The poem is full of allusions, or references to other texts and ideas. The most obvious is the title itself, which alludes to the biblical story of Lazarus. There are also numerous allusions to the Holocaust.

2. Metaphor and Simile

Plath uses lots of comparisons to create vivid imagery. For example, “My face a featureless, fine / Jew linen” is a metaphor comparing the speaker’s face to a piece of cloth.

3. Repetition

Certain phrases and ideas are repeated throughout the poem, creating a sense of rhythm and emphasis. For example, the idea of “dying” is mentioned multiple times.

4. Enjambment

This is when a sentence or phrase continues from one line to the next without punctuation. Plath uses this technique throughout the poem to create a sense of urgency and flow.

5. Imagery

The poem is packed with vivid, often disturbing images. From Nazi lampshades to strip teases, these images create a visceral emotional response in the reader.

6. Tone

The tone of the poem shifts from weary to bitter to triumphant, reflecting the speaker’s changing emotional state.

Why “Lady Lazarus” Matters

“Lady Lazarus” is considered one of Plath’s most important poems for several reasons:

1. It’s a prime example of confessional poetry, a style that was revolutionary in its time for its raw, personal content.
2. The poem deals with themes of trauma, survival, and resilience in a powerful and unflinching way.
3. It showcases Plath’s skill with language and imagery, creating a poem that’s both beautiful and disturbing.
4. The poem has sparked countless discussions and debates about the use of Holocaust imagery in art, the treatment of mental health issues, and the role of women in society.
5. It’s a complex work that rewards multiple readings, always offering something new to discover.

Interpreting “Lady Lazarus”

Like all great poems, “Lady Lazarus” is open to multiple interpretations. Here are a few ways people have understood the poem:

1. As an autobiographical work reflecting Plath’s own struggles with depression and suicide attempts.
2. As a feminist critique of how women’s suffering is often turned into spectacle.
3. As a statement about the human capacity for resilience in the face of extreme suffering.
4. As a exploration of the relationship between art and pain, suggesting that great art can come from great suffering.
5. As a commentary on the way society often commodifies and consumes others’ pain.

Remember, there’s no one “correct” interpretation of a poem. What matters is how the poem speaks to you and what meaning you find in it.

The Legacy of “Lady Lazarus”

Since its publication, “Lady Lazarus” has had a significant impact on literature and popular culture:

1. It’s widely taught in schools and universities, introducing new generations to Plath’s work.
2. The poem has inspired other writers and artists, influencing works in literature, music, and visual art.
3. It’s often cited in discussions about mental health, particularly in relation to depression and suicide.
4. The poem has sparked ongoing debates about the ethics of using traumatic historical events (like the Holocaust) in art.
5. “Lady Lazarus” has become a touchstone for feminist literature, often analyzed for its portrayal of female experience and resistance to patriarchal oppression.

Conclusion

“Lady Lazarus” is a complex, challenging poem that continues to resonate with readers decades after it was written. It’s a testament to Plath’s skill as a poet that she could create a work that’s simultaneously personal and universal, beautiful and disturbing.

Whether you see it as a cry of pain, a declaration of resilience, or a critique of society’s treatment of suffering, “Lady Lazarus” is a poem that demands attention. It forces us to confront difficult truths about pain, survival, and the human capacity for both cruelty and resilience.

As you reflect on this poem, consider what it means to you. How does it make you feel? What questions does it raise? Remember, the power of poetry lies not just in the words on the page, but in how those words resonate with each individual reader.

Related Articles

Lady Lazarus Summary by Sylvia Plath

FAQs

1. Q: Who is Lady Lazarus? A: Lady Lazarus is the speaker of the poem. She’s not a real person, but a persona created by Sylvia Plath. The name “Lazarus” refers to a biblical figure who was brought back to life by Jesus.
2. Q: What does “Lady Lazarus” mean? A: The poem is about a woman who has experienced multiple “deaths” and “rebirths,” either literally or metaphorically. It explores themes of suffering, survival, and the spectacle of pain.
3. Q: Why does Plath use Holocaust imagery in the poem? A: Plath uses Holocaust imagery to convey the extreme nature of the speaker’s suffering. This is a controversial choice that has been much debated by readers and scholars.
4. Q: Is “Lady Lazarus” autobiographical? A: While the poem may draw on Plath’s personal experiences, it’s important to remember that it’s a work of art, not a direct autobiography. The speaker in the poem is a created persona, not necessarily Plath herself.
5. Q: What does the ending of the poem mean? A: The ending, where the speaker rises from the ash and “eats men like air,” is often interpreted as a declaration of power and rebirth. After describing her suffering, the speaker emerges as a powerful, even threatening figure.
6. Q: Why is “Lady Lazarus” considered an important poem? A: “Lady Lazarus” is celebrated for its powerful imagery, its exploration of difficult themes, and its role in the confessional poetry movement. It’s also sparked important discussions about the portrayal of suffering in art.
7. Q: What is confessional poetry? A: Confessional poetry is a style of poetry that emerged in the 1950s and ’60s. It’s characterized by its focus on the personal experiences of the poet, often dealing with topics that were previously considered too private for poetry.
8. Q: What does the “peanut-crunching crowd” represent? A: The “peanut-crunching crowd” represents society’s tendency to treat others’ suffering as entertainment. It’s a critique of how pain can be turned into spectacle.
9. Q: What is the significance of the number three in the poem? A: The speaker mentions dying every ten years and having nine lives like a cat. This could be a reference to the idea of resurrection, as Jesus rose on the third day in Christian belief. It might also relate to Plath’s own experiences with depression and suicide attempts.
10. Q: How should I approach analyzing this poem? A: Start by reading the poem multiple times. Pay attention to the imagery, the tone, and how it makes you feel. Consider the themes we’ve discussed, but also trust your own interpretations. Remember, there’s no single “correct” way to understand a poem – what matters is how it resonates with you.