Until last year I had read only the most famous of Plath’s poems like “Daddy”.Then I read many more and also many works of criticism and explanation.And then I realised she was one of the most gifted poets of her era. But alas, her maturity as a poet coincided with the breakdown of her marriage.And so her talents were used to express mainly rage and then meaninglessness and death.
Was it only the tragedy of her life situation that brought about her mature voice ? I believe not. And so I grieve that her wonderful works were full of rage and destructiveness…. what would she have written otherwise.I also believe that her motives in marrying Hughe were mixed…. and so were his to her.Marriage is entered into too lightly and without understanding.I almost feel arranged marriages were better sometimes
Now maybe it is wrong of me to say this but I know we all are acquainted with anger, envy,jealous and other painful emotions .But I believe to cultivate them is not moral. And to utilise them in Art is something dangerous and maybe destructive. And without specifying any religion or ethical system I believe acting ethically is more important than art, music,writing and so on…not that there is always a conflict.
I may appear to counsel perfection but I merely grieve for the loss of a genius and what she might have written if she had been given support and help when left alone with two tiny children in a foreign land.
If we have gifts let us use them for good and for the encouragement of our human companions on this planet and not for harm,destruction ,stealing wealth and creating evil
How my heart sings 