snow –
the chirp of a robin
so muffled

Sylvia Plath’s Lady Lazarus and Daddy

Examine close reading of Sylvia Plath’s poems “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” with critical perspectives and textual references in association with the thesis statement that “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” both rebel coercion confinement of patriarchy and misogyny.

(Image of Sylvia Plath, young white woman with brown hair and eyes, yellow v-neck sweater, red lipstick and a headband)

Examine close reading of Sylvia Plath’s poems “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” with critical perspectives and textual references in association with the thesis statement that “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” both rebel coercion and confinement of patriarchy and misogyny.

Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” are conical works of transcendentalist American feminism posthumously anthologized in the poetry collection Ariel in 1965. American poetesses’ egotistical individuality and romanticist fantasy of selfhood quest crusading the forces of sublimity is universally foreshadowed by the phenomenal poems. Gloom and doom, dark humour and black humour engender the motifs of revenge and memory through mythologization, poeticization, psychologization, romanticization and/or fantasization in these quasi-confessional and quasi autobiographical elegies.

“Lady Lazarus” is a vindication of the temptation of fate as implied in the poetical rhetorics: “Herr God, Herr Lucifer”/ “Beware/ Beware”. Epiphanic voice of the romanticist egomaniacal heroine of femininity is reflected in the biblical figuration of the transformative poetess. The resurrectionist figuration is an avenging phoenix that transcends the contemporary recalcitrant barriers of race, class, ethnicity, gender, nationality and culture[al] stereotyp[ical]es expectations of the hackneyed microcosm. This overarching feminist emancipation salvages herself by historicizing in the hyperbolic figurative tropes foreshadowing: “Out of the ash/ I rise with my red hair/ And I eat men like air.” Etherealism and surrealism surmounts in the reincarnation and resurrection impresarios of “Lady Lazarus”.

On the contrary, “Daddy” was merely the first jet of flames from a literary dragon, who in the last years of her life breathed a burning river of bale across the literary landscape. “Daddy” is a subversive indictment of overarching feminism harbouring cantankerousness and obstreperousness against patriarchal dominance. “Daddy, daddy, you bastard. I’m through…” is the culmination of a matriarchal feminist stance of the woman poet in accord with the second and third wave of feminism epochs. American poetess Sylvia Plath’s invocation of fascism and nazism is entwined in the impresario that she envisions witnessing renderings of holocaust Nazi cremation of the extermination in concentration camps and the associated violence and trauma of survivialhood. This documentary testament bears antisemitism as projected by the figurative tropes: “my skin/bright as a Nazi lampshade” and “my face…/… Jewish linen”. 

Quintessential poetry of the grotesquery of suffering and vulnerability are starkly evident in both the poems. In comparison, both of these poems are embodiments of empowered femininity through canonical works of women writing. “Lady Lazarus” fictional character and poetic personae reawakens and resurrects the graveyard tombed femininity in avenging the suicidal despair—-”It’s a theatrical comeback in broadway” echoes and resonates the revenge fantasy of impulsive and ironwilled “Lady Lazarus’s” femininity—a noteworthy exploration of second and third wave feminism. In contrast, “Daddy” disempowers patriarchal subjectivity of the object of male gaze, which views womanhood and femininity as commodities of objectification and fetishization.

“And a head in the freakish Atlantic/ Where it pours bean-green over blue/ In the waters of the beautiful Nauset”. Elegiac diatribe imperils the fatherly figure’s imperious and domineering spirits: closure of relationship; association to racism of antisemitism: furtherance to the testament of burgeoning and full fledged feminist movements. In a nutshell, “Daddy” is a melodramatic treasure hunt of communion of torture, trauma, massacre, sacrifical martyrdom and survivalist victimhood. Cultural appropriation of the imaginary Plathian canonical homeland casts a role as the subversive counter cultural feminine speaking back to the dominant masculinist authoritarianism and hegemony. Moreover, obituary and elegy of the electra complex critiquing the fascist vampiric perpetrator’s predatoriness as morbidly entrenched within the masculinist domain. Perceptive subjectivity of being deported to the Holocaust concentration camp is envisioned and foretold by the metaphors of apocalyptic gloom and doom as embodied by the wretchedness and viciousness of fathers and husbands in general. Despite the heritage of the dictatorial regime and patriarchal misogyny, “Every woman adores a fascist” … “And get back, back, back to you.” 

“Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” voices puritanical spirits of protest against rigidified and terroristic visions of male power and masculinist authority. These poems canonize themselves as transgressive dialects transforming invisibility to visibility and private as public. 

Further Reading, References, Endnotes and Podcasts

Stripped Cover Lit Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath Poetry Discussion: Summary, Analysis, Interpretation, Review

A Lecture on Sylvia Plath’s “Lady Lazarus” and “Daddy” John Pistelli

2.72K subscribers

Daddy by Sylvia Plath Summary, Analysis, Themes, Review Stripped Cover Lit 14K subscribers

American Literature | Sylvia Plath: analysis of “Daddy” | Poem analysis Ad Maiora

83.7K subscribers

Lady Lazarus by Sylvia Plath in 8 minutes Simon Andrew

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Daddy by Silvia Plath Simon Andrew 1.23K subscribers

Review – Lady Lazarus (Sylvia Plath) – Patron Poem

Stripped Cover Lit

14K subscribers

Sylvia Plath, Cliffs Notes on American Poets of the 20th Century Mary Ellen Snodgrass, M.A. University of North Carolina, Greensboro, Lincoln, Nebraska, pp. 211-217, 2000.

“Daddy” Jacqueline Rose, Bloom’s Modern Critical Views: Sylvia Plath (2007), Bloom’s Literary Criticism, pp. 38-51

Chapter Title: Plath’s Bodily Ego Restaging the Sublime, Book Title: Women Poets and the American Sublime, Joanne Feit Diehl, Indiana University Press (1990) pp. 1-32

Wikipedia Readings

Produced By Vincent Turner, Developed By Robert Sacchi, 115 pages. Phase: Pre-production/Development, Budget Estimation: $23,000-314,000. Pitch deck and budget list available, please email synchchaos@gmail.com if interested.

Charles Griffin, a philosophy professor, is challenged by Adam, one of his students, over his unruly behaviour while lecturing. Though Charles is unhappy lecturing by the books, Adam’s challenge becomes the inspiration behind his nascent philosophy.

FREAKY BODIES

Mood of the moment

seductive in dullness

eternal eros:

changing constantly inside

now says she hates my scent

taunting the old pain

in the brothel of bed

kitchen or shower

she fears the freaky bodies

snaky arousal and peak

through sucking hisses

thuds and soft screams repeated

in sync dripping down

until next round of silence

with  back to each other

ABRUPT NOTES

Intentionally layered

internally fragmented

queer antics:

she builds up her own

sexual toolkit to prove

how coward man is

she sees a rapist

in each man detests

the male smell but trusts

one night stand

with deep thrust

long erections

and climax control

for blood to soak smoothly

she sits shrouded

in her see-through pink gown

on the terrace

inviting autumn winds

for longer stopover

just to accuse the artist

of invading her body

she curses a young bull

for obstructing her way

in the street shouts at hawkers

and, yet another

at eighty re-imagines

fading memories

with snaky radiance

to break a new dawn

my friend says

the dynamics change:

there’s a before

and an after

to feel life

I say yes, but I’m tired

of walking and writing

what I watch

I’m no tout to comfort

or restore the faith

of a dwindling flock in heat

culling is convenient

TANKA

Unquenched thirst

more and more indulgence:

momentary pleasure

she says it’s enough now

rein the horse and seek the missed

***

Half-drunk women

on one side of the road

pimps on the other

ready to seize  first-timers

to the tin box by street lamps

***

Standing on a cloud

look through an open doorway:

desires awakened

before I could step inside

the door closed, I missed my chance

***

At the swimming pool

he asks if he could borrow

her underwear just

to feel her from inside

with fidgeting currents

***

Unquenched thirst

more and more indulgence:

momentary pleasure

she says it’s enough now

rein the horse and seek the missed

***

God has become

a habit in helplessness:

faith a deception

when unable to enjoy

love, life and wonders of world

***

Shiva and Shakti

our freedom in union:

twin flame of love

rolling in grains of sand

transcending together

***

Future legacy

and dynamics of peace:

I seek solace in

Camus’s absurd, my silence

and indifferent universe

Ram Krishna Singh, also known as R.K. Singh,  has published poems, articles and book reviews in various magazines and journals over the years and taught English for Science and Technology, Indian Writing in English, and Criticism at IIT-ISM, Dhanbad for nearly four decades. His published poetry collections include Against the Waves: Selected Poems (2021),  白濁: SILENCE: A WHITE DISTRUST (English/Japanese, 2022),   Poems and Micropoems (2023), and Knocking Vistas And Other Poems (2024). More at https://pennyspoetry.fandom.com/wiki/R.K._Singh

Video: One Man’s Deep Words

First of all, an announcement from contributor Chimezie Ihekuna, who is seeking an investor/executive producer for the project, One Man’s Deep Words. It is set in the US.

Produced By Vincent Turner, Developed By Robert Sacchi, 115 pages. Phase: Pre-production/Development, Budget Estimation: $23,000-314,000. Pitch deck and budget list available, please email synchchaos@gmail.com if interested.

Charles Griffin, a philosophy professor, is challenged by Adam, one of his students, over his unruly behaviour while lecturing. Though Charles is unhappy lecturing by the books, Adam’s challenge becomes the inspiration behind his nascent philosophy.

Title: Reflective Thinking (Volume 1)

Tracks: 5 (Excluding the Intro, Album title and About The Creator)

Creator: Mr Ben

Album Title and About The Creator

Intro

Track 1: The Current State Of Being

Track 2: Keep Your Head Up

Track 3: Discouragement: A Part Of Success

Track 4: Independence or In Dependence?

Track 5: Death And Life 

(My questions)

Outro

Description of  the Reflective Thinking “album”

This is a conception that delves into the afterthought of what people would not take to consideration. It  “mirrors”  people’s notions but aims at asserting the need to look into the other side of their known thought. It is a call to meditation: looking deeper into what their thoughts reflect.

The Intro part simply explains what results in  actions of anyone (the creator, in particular): the thought process

The Outro segment deals with the creator’s conceived quote, which happens to be his best: “Determination without conception is like reaching a destination without intention”

The Current State Of Being simply explains what the new normal is, resulting from the fact that the world of today is wrong that what’s left isn’t right and what should be right isn’t left

Keep Your Head Up talks about the need for young people to prioritize their health, in the quest of acquiring wealth.

Discouragement: A Part of Success , according to the creator’s Reflective Thinking, puts to recognition: Discouragement is  the inevitable tool few people who become successful use  to attain such feat and maintain or advance it.

Independent or In Dependence? is one situation the creator asserts to address. He maintains that  we, as a people and society, are IN DEPENDENT (NOT INDEPENDENT) of one thing or the other, such as food, government to ascertain the standard and cost of living, politics, education, business, media and so on to validate existence and sovereignty

Death and Life (My Questions): The creator seeks to delve into the “mysteries”, in the form of questioning, of what connects both contradictions, in terms of using various parameters which are rarely depicted by mainstream concerns.

“Mr. Ben is currently seeking acquisition and or licensing of the album.”

See attached the audio files, available for listening and perusal.

CAUSES AND TREATMENTS OF PNEUMONIA IN YOUNG CHILDREN

Abstract: This article provides information on the causes, symptoms, prevention strategies, and treatment methods of pneumonia, a disease commonly observed in children, especially during the winter season. Pneumonia is a significant respiratory infection that affects millions of children worldwide, leading to substantial illness and mortality. Understanding the various aspects of pneumonia can help take active measures to reduce its impact on children’s health.

Keywords: Pneumonia, Respiratory tract infection, TORCH infection, CBC, ESR, CRP, Treatment, Prevention.

Introduction: Every year, pneumonia is diagnosed in 17 million people worldwide. The mortality rate due to lung disease is very high, accounting for 8-9%. Pneumonia is an inflammatory process in lung tissue. In most cases, the disease is caused by infectious agents. The modes of infection transmission vary, often being spread through airborne droplets.

Main Section: Causes of Pneumonia:

Infectious (bacterial) – caused by bacteria like pneumococci, staphylococci, streptococci, etc.

Viral – caused by various viruses such as RSV and adenovirus.

Fungal – caused by molds, yeast fungi, and pneumocysts.

Mixed – in some cases, the lungs may be infected by multiple pathogens simultaneously.

Additionally, parasites can also cause pneumonia. Pneumonia tends to be more severe in children than in adults due to their underdeveloped immune system and mucociliary clearance.

Symptoms in Children:

Fever: 38-39°C or higher.

Cough: Dry or with phlegm.

Breathing difficulties: Rapid or labored breathing (fast deep breaths, shortness of breath).

Chest pain: Worsens during breathing or coughing.

Pale or bluish skin: Cyanosis due to low oxygen levels.

Loss of appetite: Refusal to eat, vomiting, or weakness.

Fatigue and weakness: Child becomes easily tired and inactive.

Abdominal pain or diarrhea.

Risk Factors During Pregnancy:

TORCH infections: Toxoplasma gondii, Rubella virus, CMV, Herpes simplex virus.

Influenza and respiratory infections.

Bacterial infections: Streptococcus group B, chlamydia, gonorrhea.

Maternal fever during pregnancy (hyperthermia).

Maternal chronic diseases: Diabetes, tuberculosis.

Passive smoking.

Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies.

Diagnostic Methods:

Complete blood count (CBC).

ESR (Erythrocyte sedimentation rate).

CRP (C-reactive protein).

Blood gas analysis.

Bacteriological analysis.

Immunological tests.

Treatment Methods: Bacterial Pneumonia:

Antibiotics such as penicillin, amoxicillin, and cephalosporins.

Viral Pneumonia:

Antiviral drugs (e.g., Oseltamivir).

Symptomatic treatment (antipyretics like paracetamol and ibuprofen).

Fungal Pneumonia:

Antifungal medications (e.g., Fluconazole).

Supportive Care:

Oxygen therapy.

Hydration and nutrition support.

Chest physiotherapy.

Prevention Measures:

Vaccination against pneumococcus and Haemophilus influenzae.

Healthy lifestyle practices.

Breastfeeding.

Maintaining hygiene and avoiding passive smoking.

Conclusion: Pneumonia is a serious health threat, especially for young children. Early diagnosis, proper treatment, and preventive strategies like vaccination and hygiene practices are crucial in reducing its impact. Strengthening healthcare services and raising awareness among parents can further aid in preventing childhood pneumonia.

References:

.Internal Diseases: Medical-Scientific Edition by Abdugaffor Gadayev. Tashkent: Muharrir Publishing, 2020.

.Hospital Pediatrics, edited by Prof. S.A. Rakhimov, Prof. A.R. Isroilov. Tashkent, 2010.

Children’s Diseases by T.A. Daminov, B.T. Kholmatova, U.R. Boboyeva. Tashkent, 2012, p.159.

United Nations Children’s Fund. 2020. Pneumonia. Available at: https:/ /data.unic ef.org / topic/childhealt h/pneumonia/

Community-acquired pneumonia in children: prevalence, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention // Scientific-practical program. Moscow: Original Maket, 2011, p.64.

Clinical Pharmacology: National Guidelines edited by Yu.B. Belousova, V.G. Kukesa, V.K. Lepakhina et al. Moscow: GEOTAR-Media, 2009, p.976.