, Mirror - Sylvia Plath
I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful—
The eye of a little god, four-cornered.
Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.
It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long
I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers.
Faces and darkness separate us over and over.
Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me,
Searching my reaches for what she really is.
Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.
She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
I am important to her. She comes and goes.
Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises towards her day after day, like a terrible fish.
, MODERNIST POETRY
Written in the mid-20th century, Sylvia Plath was a prominent American poet known for her
confessional style. The poem reflects the struggles of women during this time and Plath's own
personal challenges.
INTENTION/MEANING
The poem delves into themes of identity, aging, and the passage of time. It personifies a mirror,
reflecting the changing experiences of a woman as she ages. The intention is to explore the
complexities of self-perception and the inevitable changes that time brings.
STRUCTURE
The poem consists of two stanzas, each with nine lines. It follows a free verse structure, lacking a
strict rhyme scheme or meter. This structure reflects the introspective nature of the content.
POETIC DEVICES
• Personification: The mirror is personified, given the ability to meditate on its experiences
and interactions.
• Imagery: Vivid visual descriptions of the mirror's experiences and the woman's changing
appearance.
• Metaphor: The mirror serves as a metaphor for self-perception and the unflinching truth
it provides.
TONE/MOOD
The tone is introspective and contemplative, with a hint of melancholy. The mood reflects a
mixture of resignation and discomfort as the woman confronts the changing aspects of her
identity and appearance.
ANALYSIS
Sylvia Plath's poem "Mirror" is renowned for its profound exploration of aging and identity. Plath
penned this poem in 1961, shortly after giving birth to her first child. It is possible that this
significant life event helped to deepen these themes, as becoming a parent often leads to
contemplation about the fragility of life and human identity. Plath frequently expressed her
apprehensions about the passing of time and articulated a sense of sadness about losing her
individuality. The poem illustrates how individuals remain in a state of flux and deal with their
realities, reflecting on the inevitable changes brought by time. The poem adopts the perspective
of a personified mirror, which underscores the ongoing process that neither the mirror perceives
as dutiful, impassive, and objective observation. Despite its brevity, the poem manages to explore
I am silver and exact. I have no preconceptions.
Whatever I see I swallow immediately
Just as it is, unmisted by love or dislike.
I am not cruel, only truthful—
The eye of a little god, four-cornered.
Most of the time I meditate on the opposite wall.
It is pink, with speckles. I have looked at it so long
I think it is part of my heart. But it flickers.
Faces and darkness separate us over and over.
Now I am a lake. A woman bends over me,
Searching my reaches for what she really is.
Then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moon.
I see her back, and reflect it faithfully.
She rewards me with tears and an agitation of hands.
I am important to her. She comes and goes.
Each morning it is her face that replaces the darkness.
In me she has drowned a young girl, and in me an old woman
Rises towards her day after day, like a terrible fish.
, MODERNIST POETRY
Written in the mid-20th century, Sylvia Plath was a prominent American poet known for her
confessional style. The poem reflects the struggles of women during this time and Plath's own
personal challenges.
INTENTION/MEANING
The poem delves into themes of identity, aging, and the passage of time. It personifies a mirror,
reflecting the changing experiences of a woman as she ages. The intention is to explore the
complexities of self-perception and the inevitable changes that time brings.
STRUCTURE
The poem consists of two stanzas, each with nine lines. It follows a free verse structure, lacking a
strict rhyme scheme or meter. This structure reflects the introspective nature of the content.
POETIC DEVICES
• Personification: The mirror is personified, given the ability to meditate on its experiences
and interactions.
• Imagery: Vivid visual descriptions of the mirror's experiences and the woman's changing
appearance.
• Metaphor: The mirror serves as a metaphor for self-perception and the unflinching truth
it provides.
TONE/MOOD
The tone is introspective and contemplative, with a hint of melancholy. The mood reflects a
mixture of resignation and discomfort as the woman confronts the changing aspects of her
identity and appearance.
ANALYSIS
Sylvia Plath's poem "Mirror" is renowned for its profound exploration of aging and identity. Plath
penned this poem in 1961, shortly after giving birth to her first child. It is possible that this
significant life event helped to deepen these themes, as becoming a parent often leads to
contemplation about the fragility of life and human identity. Plath frequently expressed her
apprehensions about the passing of time and articulated a sense of sadness about losing her
individuality. The poem illustrates how individuals remain in a state of flux and deal with their
realities, reflecting on the inevitable changes brought by time. The poem adopts the perspective
of a personified mirror, which underscores the ongoing process that neither the mirror perceives
as dutiful, impassive, and objective observation. Despite its brevity, the poem manages to explore
