The Applicant:

Plath's "The Applicant" is a scathing commentary on the expectations placed on women in the
1950s. The poem's repetitive language and lack of punctuation emphasize the absurdity of
reducing a woman's worth to her domestic skills and physical appearance.

Daddy:
In "Daddy," Plath grapples with the complicated relationship she had with her father, who died
when she was young. The poem is characterized by its powerful imagery, including the metaphor
of her father as a Nazi and herself as a Jew, which speaks to the emotional turmoil Plath
experienced throughout her life.

Edge:
"Edge" is a haunting reflection on suicide and the desire to escape the pain of existence. The
poem's stark imagery and repetition create a sense of numbness and detachment, while the final
line, "And I am the arrow, / The dew that flies / Suicidal, at one with the drive / Into the red /
Eye, the cauldron of morning," evokes a sense of fatalistic surrender.

Ariel:
Plath's "Ariel" is a deeply personal exploration of her own psyche, as well as a meditation on the
power of language and the act of creation. The poem's frantic tone and vivid imagery convey a
sense of urgency and desperation, while the final line, "I am the arrow, / The dew that flies /
Suicidal, at one with the drive / Into the red / Eye, the cauldron of morning," suggests a sense of
transcendence.

Blackberrying:
"Blackberrying" is a quieter, more contemplative poem than some of Plath's other work. The
poem's emphasis on nature and the passage of time is reflective of Plath's interest in mysticism
and the cycles of life and death. The final lines, "Each year I hoped they'd keep, knew they
would not," convey a sense of resignation and acceptance.