Sylvia Plath: An American Poet

Hello from America! I've always wanted to spend a few days in London: Mostly because of its rich literary history. One thing I've always been very curious about: Is Sylvia Plath well thought of in England? I mean, she was married to Ted Hughes, and judging from his last book of poems (Birthday Letters)--he seemed to genuinely love her. But for most of his life (because of her suicide), Hughes said very little about his former wife. So is Plath not very popular in the UK? I'm thanking you in advance.

--QP

 

well i sure haven't heard of her...but i am only 1 in 60 million

 

She's the author of THE BELL JAR and ARIEL. And she was the wife of Ted Hughes (also a poet).

--QP

 

I think probably largely forgotten nowadays, if she was ever really known that widely.

Strangely enough though, just yesterday I came across a quotation from "Daddy" and made a mental note to look in the local library for any anthologies [haven't had a chance yet...]

 

"Daddy" is her most famous poem. Oddly enough, both Ted Hughes and Sylvia Plath are well known in the States. Both are considered major poets, and their books continue to sell.

--QP

 

Among people who read poetry, she is well known. Among people who don't, she isn't.

 

I don't particularly read much poetry but I know who she was and know of a few of the poems...I think most people do if a philistine like me does

 

I didn't know who she was but cheers for the introduction.

 

That's good to know: I was getting a little bit worried.

--QP

 

During the late 1970s, there was a movie based on THE BELL JAR. Now Hollywood is even talking about doing a remake. I did like SYLVIA (the film was based more on the relationship between Plath and Hughes). But it was only shown at a few theatres. I'm glad folks are still reading her poems: She's always been a favorite of mine. Although I have a soft spot for Emily Dickinson.

--QP

 

Hey, thanks. It's been interesting reading all the replies. I'm glad I stopped by.

:cheers2:

--QP

 

Oh wow, weird thread... I would have said that she was really well known!

She's buried near where I live and I've been to loads of readings etc locally

 

Ah, but would there have been loads of readings locally if she wasn't buried locally ?

 

I was never taught Plath at school but I'm pretty sure there were Sylvia Plath poetry books floating around and wouldn't be surprised if lots of people did study her poetry at school...

 

Actually, the first time I can remember hearing the name was several years after I left school...in the DIY cassette music boom of the early 1980s.

There was a tape that made a few waves at the time called The Electronic Sylvia Plath - not sure who the artist was. I think it may have been a cut-up of the lady receiting her stuff, electronically treated, etc.

I think I learned via a review of the tape that Sylvia Plath had actually been a well-known poet...news to me, but we live and learn.

I'm sure someone told me that the Electronic Sylvia Plath tape was going to be reissued on CD.

 

hmm wish Spider was still here, I remember he loved the Bell Jar...

There's York notes on her, so I guess shes read at colleges etc

 

I know her but I dont read that much poetry shes still well known in certain circles I buy and sell books and she is someone Id look out for in early editions

 

I've often wondered about that. Not long after Plath died, many American feminists actually blamed Ted Hughes for his wife's suicide. They believed (quite passionately) that had Hughes not had an affair with another woman--Sylvia would still be alive. I always felt that was too harsh. Plath suffered from depression, and had tried to take her own life when she was still a very young college student. And this happened more than a decade before she met Ted Hughes. So I felt depression killed Sylvia, not her husband. Now the attitude has changed quite a bit, and people are more interested in the poetry, instead of the poet's failed marriage and suicide. Both poets are highly regarded in the States.

--QP

 

I haven't been a college student since 1997, but her poetry was taught in a Contemporary American Poetry class I took. Most folks seem aware of her because of The Bell Jar. I liked her novel, but her poetry is what impressed me the most.

--QP

 

That's very interesting. She did a reading for the BBC, and it's available on CD. I remember how strange it was to actually hear her voice. She didn't sound especially bitter or angry, yet many of her last poems are quite emotional.

--QP