Head in the Oven

As much as we denial it, we are all a little mysterious inside. But no one is as open with dramatizing this fact than Sylvia Plath. As I unfortunately misread the syllabus (damn..) I actually gain the fortune of reading one of Plath's short poem beforehand. 

As not to give anything away, let's just note that in Metaphors, Plath speaks about an issue that is in close relations with woman. The poem is structured precisely, no more, no less. Following the title is a chain of seemingly unrelated materials, which might puzzle you into thinking she's gone mad. But as the title suggests, the beauty of metaphors lies in its capability to representing subjects that are not literally applicable. Plath is hiding something.

Upon figuring out on your own, what would be even more interesting is to seek out the psychological aspect to her cover-up. Why did she choice to hid the truth? Why stick her words in metaphors? Just to give you a hint, the truth is more disturbing than what you could imagine.

In any case, for Plath, it must be more unbearable than sticking her head into her kitchen oven, on February 11th, 1963.

Freedom is Madness

If you manage to finish Allen Ginsberg's Howl in one sitting, with your complete, fullest attention and focus. You're about half way into understanding the reasons behind human insanity. 

Ginsberg reiterate a laundry list of insane activities that sounds like it would only happen in a novel (such as a clockwork orange) , or in a horror film. Except he presents it in a poem. Which is a literary form of art known for its ways of beautifying or romanticizing the nature of things. That is the known accomplishment of Ginsberg, his innovation of the art. 

But what is most important is his observation towards the state of the 1950's America, as he sees a brilliant patch of his generation being exploit and destroyed at the time. Whom later contributes to numerous acts of violence and obscurity. Who waves their genitals and gets fucked in the ass with joy. Are they are mad or are they free? For in a society, they can only be one or the other. 

If they live in Sparta, or in any society known for its violence and obscurity, perhaps the generation can then be judged free and normal. But in Eisenhower's America, such madness is in accordance with the brilliant generations lack of intellectual and creative freedom. These people whom might never become famous or earn a living wage for their originality. The Capitalistic and materialistic America allows the rush for riches, celebrates the eternal greed, and dance around the people who owns things. Not the ones who travels to various states for the pursuit for adventure.  

In Corporate America, freedom is madness.

Limpy Lives of New York

There is much to be identified, if we were just pay more attention to our surroundings. That is the message presented by Denise Levertov in her poem, “February Evening in New York.”If we only pay attention, we could see the among of working disabilities within our neighborhood. 

One such imagery comes with the idea of "glint of frost through the smoke". When does frost ever accompany smoke? Oh wait, when there is factories and industries. The image of the Mother Nature lies in the frost, because that is the nature occurrence of life. As can also been seen in the sentence of "As the lights brighten, as the sky darkens". What else lights up when the natural occurrence of the sky to turn dark happens? Artificial, florescent, light bulbs. 

There is much irony in the New York City that is presented by Levertov. One that isn't filled with glamor and glory, but one that is consistently denial towards the patterns of life. 

Another worthy of notation, is the description Levertov uses on the people of New York City. Calling them people with "balloon heads" with that has bodies that "aren't really there." The balloon headed persons walking down the streets, with minuscule bodies that is incapable of interactions and intimacy. Only a massive head that can possibly account for intellectual communication. 

Except. These heads are filled instead of airs and dust, full of nothing. These people also walked on "crooked heels", that proves to be nothing but painful. These people aren't sensible. Especially since the imagery implies that their bodies are already so tiny, serving nothing to support their balloon heads, and yet, still wears heels that are crooked. 

The image shown of New York, is dysfunctional. With our man-made lights and our disabled, limpy, body proportions.