Lady Lazarus
by Sylvia Plath
“Lady Lazarus” is a poem in which the speaker presents herself as a performer who repeatedly attempts self harm, framing each act as a spectacle for an audience. The poem explores themes of death, resurrection, gender, and the way society consumes personal suffering.
Understanding Lady Lazarus
“Lady Lazarus” is a powerful and unsettling poem by Sylvia Plath, published in 1965, two years after her death. This dramatic monologue explores themes of death, resurrection, female identity, and the oppressive gaze of society. The poem presents a speaker who has repeatedly attempted suicide, framing these attempts as performances for a voyeuristic public. The speaker’s voice is defiant, sardonic, and deeply wounded, creating a complex and disturbing portrait of a woman grappling with trauma and a sense of alienation.
What is “Lady Lazarus” About?
At its core, “Lady Lazarus” is a visceral exploration of suicidal tendencies and the speaker’s complicated relationship with death. However, the poem transcends a simple recounting of suicide attempts. It is a scathing critique of the societal forces that contribute to the speaker’s despair, as well as an assertion of her agency and power, even in the face of annihilation. The speaker transforms her suffering into a spectacle, challenging the audience to confront their own fascination with death and their role in perpetuating the conditions that drive someone to despair.
Central Idea of the Poem
The central idea of “Lady Lazarus” revolves around the speaker’s defiant reclaiming of her own narrative, even through repeated attempts at self destruction. She refuses to be simply a victim, instead presenting herself as a performer, a spectacle, and ultimately, a force to be reckoned with. The poem suggests that the speaker’s attempts are not merely acts of despair, but acts of rebellion against a society that seeks to control and diminish her. The poem ultimately poses a chilling question: what happens when a woman refuses to be silenced, even in death?
In-Depth Analysis of “Lady Lazarus”
Let us delve deeper into the poem, examining key stanzas and the literary devices Plath employs to convey her message.
The Performance of Suffering (Stanzas 1-3)
The poem opens with a matter-of-fact declaration: “I have done it again.” This establishes a pattern of repeated attempts. The speaker refers to herself as a “walking miracle,” highlighting the absurdity of her situation. Plath uses stark imagery to describe the aftermath of self harm, emphasizing the physical and emotional scars that remain. The line “One year in every ten” underscores the frequency of her attempts, while the phrase “I manage it” reveals her sense of control over the process.
The Voyeuristic Gaze (Stanzas 4-6)
The speaker directly addresses an audience that watches her perform her suffering. She invites them to look at the details of her body—her nose, her eye pits, her teeth—emphasizing how society scrutinizes her pain. The line “The sour breath will vanish in a day” reflects the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of decay. In spite of her anguish, the speaker insists on maintaining a smiling facade, underscoring societal expectations of women to appear cheerful even when hurt.
Reclaiming Agency (Stanzas 7-9)
The speaker’s comparison to a cat with nine lives highlights her resilience. She acknowledges that her acts of self harm have become a spectacle, a “strip tease” for an eager audience. By listing her body parts, she asserts ownership of her physical self, refusing to let others objectify her. This self assertion challenges the voyeuristic gaze and reminds readers that her body is not a commodity.
The Art of Dying (Stanzas 10-12)
Plath frames self harm as an art form, stating, “Dying is an art, like everything else.” The speaker revels in the sensation of pain, seeing it as a way to feel alive. She describes her experience as “real” and “hellish,” underscoring how deeply she internalizes these emotions. The line “I guess you could say I have a calling” implies that this is something she is compelled to do, a part of her identity.
The Spectacle of Resurrection (Stanzas 13-15)
Plath portrays the speaker’s repeated resurrections as theatrical performances. She mocks the audience’s reaction, describing their shout of “A miracle!” as something that “knocks me out.” She monetizes her suffering, noting that each glance at her scars or each listen to her heart has a price. The speaker reduces herself to a precious object, a “pure gold baby” that melts into a shriek, highlighting society’s exploitation of personal pain.
The Ashes and the Phoenix (Stanzas 16-18)
The final stanzas are haunting and ambiguous. The imagery of ash and decay suggests total annihilation, yet the concluding lines—“Out of the ash I rise with my red hair” — suggest resilience. The speaker’s transformation into a phoenix, a mythical creature that rises from ashes, conveys that she has emerged stronger and determined to challenge those who wronged her.
Literary and Poetic Devices in “Lady Lazarus”
Plath masterfully employs a range of devices to enhance the poem’s impact.
- Simile: “Like a cat with nine lives” – compares her resilience to a cat’s ability to survive falls.
- Metaphor: “A walking miracle” – portrays her repeated returns to life as a miracle in motion.
- Anaphora: The repetition of “There is a charge” emphasizes how her suffering is commodified.
- Imagery: Vivid and unsettling images throughout create a visceral experience for the reader.
- Irony: The speaker’s use of irony, such as referring to herself as a “walking miracle,” highlights the absurdity of her situation.
- Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as in “sticky pearls,” creates a musical effect.
Quotes for Reflection
“Out of the ash I rise with my red hair” – A powerful image of resilience and transformation, reminding us that even in the face of destruction, it is possible to emerge stronger.