about Sylvia Plath.
This week’s famous poet
is Sylvia Plath. Last week’s famous
poet was William Shakespeare.
Sylvia Plath was a renowned poet and author, celebrated for her powerful and emotive writing style. Throughout her career, she composed over four hundred poems, delving into themes of identity, mental health, and the complexities of life. Born on October 27, 1932, in Boston, Massachusetts, Plath was the daughter of Otto Plath, a German immigrant and a professor of biology, and Aurelia Schober, who worked as a teacher and later encouraged Sylvia's literary pursuits. She grew up in a close-knit family, sharing her childhood with her younger brother, Warren Plath, who played a significant role in her early life experiences. Plath’s rich personal history and profound insights into the human condition continue to resonate with readers to this day.
Here is a list of some poems by Sylvia Plath:
- April Aubade
- Cinderella
- Morning Song
- Heavy Woman
- Frog Autumn
- April 18
- Elm
- Lorelei
- Kindness
- Barren Woman
Parents and caregivers, please ensure that the poems you choose are appropriate for children before reading them to your child or children.
Interesting facts about Sylvia
Plath:
1. Sylvia Plath was born in Boston, Massachusetts, on October 27, 1932.
2. On February 11, 1963, in the vibrant city of London, England, a tragic event took place: a talented young woman lost her life at the tender age of thirty. The cause of her untimely death was determined to be carbon monoxide poisoning, a silent but deadly hazard often linked to faulty heating systems or exhaust fumes. Following her passing, she was laid to rest in the serene surroundings of St. Thomas A. Beckett Churchyard, located in the quaint village of Heptonstall, England. Her grave now serves as a poignant reminder of her brief life and the impact she made during her time.
3. Sylvia Plath was not only a poet; she also
wrote two books. The books are titled:
- The Bell Jar
- It-Doesn’t-Matter Suit and other stories
4. The following is one of Sylvia Plath’s
poems:
You’re
Clownlike, happiest on
your hands,
Feet to the stars, and
moon-skulled,
Gilled like a fish. A
common-sense
Thumbs-down on the
dodo’s mode.
Wrapped up in yourself
like a spool,
Trawling your dark as
owls do.
Mute as a turnip from
the Fourth
Of July to All Fool’s
Day,
O high-riser, my little
loaf.
Vague as fog and looked
for like mail.
Farther off than
Australia.
Bent-backed Atlas, our
traveled prawn.
Snug as a bud and at
home
Like a sprat in a pickle
jug.
A creel of eels, all
ripples.
Jumpy as a Mexican
bean.
Right, like a well-done
sum.
A clean slate, with your
own face on.
(You
can print out a worksheet on this poem. You will fill in the missing words in
the poem.)
5. In 1941, Sylvia Plath’s first poem was
published in the Boston Herald. She was eight years old.
Here is the poem:
"Hear the crickets
chirping | in the dewy grass. Bright little fireflies | twinkle as they
pass."
6. Sylvia Plath was educated at Smith College in
Massachusetts and Newnham College in England.
7. Sylvia Plath had one sibling:
- Warren Joseph Plath (1935-2021)
8. Sylvia Plath married Ted Hughes. They had
two children:
- Frieda Rebecca Hughes (1960-)
- Nicholas Farrar Hughes (1962-2009)
9. Throughout much of her adult life, Sylvia Plath grappled with debilitating mental illness, which profoundly influenced her writing and personal experiences. She endured intense episodes of depression and anxiety, which were not easily alleviated. To manage her condition, Plath underwent various treatments, including electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), a controversial method at the time, often used as a last resort for severe depression. Alongside ECT, she also explored different therapeutic approaches and medications in an effort to find some stability and relief from her mental struggles. These experiences deeply informed her poetry and prose, reflecting her ongoing battle with mental health throughout her life.
10. Sylvia Plath’s mother decided to have her daughter take an intelligence quotient (IQ) test when Sylvia was just twelve years old. The decision to assess her intellectual capabilities stemmed from a desire to understand Sylvia’s exceptional potential. To their astonishment, Sylvia scored an impressive 160 on the test, a figure that places her well within the genius range, as any score above 140 is classified as such. This remarkable achievement highlighted not only Sylvia's intellectual prowess at a young age but also foreshadowed the profound impact she would later have on literature and poetry.
Get
your printable Sylvia Plath worksheet here:
Visit
my printable section for a wide selection of worksheets and coloring sheets!
Books by Sylvia Plath and others:
- The It-Doesn't-Matter Suit by Sylvia Plath
- Sylvia Plath - Selected Poems
Parents and caregivers, be sure the books you read to your child or children are suitable for them.
Tune in next week to
learn some quick facts about Pablo Neruda!
The Famous Poets Workbook is available for purchase on Amazon. Click on the book for further details.
“I love people. Everybody. I love them, I think, as a stamp collector loves his collection. Every story, every incident, every bit of conversation is raw material for me.”—Sylvia Plath
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