ScottClark

Scott, This poem is by far one of the more confusing ones to interpret. However, it helps to look at Plath's background and biography. If you want to see my view on "Daddy", take a look at my blog and let me know what you think. Plath was not a gypsy nor was she Jewish, but she was trying to make the comparison as a victim to her father, who was German. Her father died when she was young and I assume she tried to make him into a horrible person (like a Nazi) to let go of his memory. I am also looking forward to the class discussion on this one.

Scott, going by that definition, how would you explaing Plath's hatred for her father? There's definitely something going on here that we're having a tough time getting the hang of.

seriously? Read her bio, then look at the poem less literally. She isn't just referring to her dead father but her husband and her mental illness. Plath is famous for using metaphor and this is one sugesting her isolation and herself as the victim.

Dear Scott,
Thank you so much for posting this article. I am doing a poetry explication in english over this poem and this posting helped me understand the poem better. Even though i am only in 10th grade i have seen the same thing as you in this poem. Again thanks.
--Laura

I think she hates her father for dying because she loved him so much when he was alive. Her husband is the vampire she tried to replace him with. There are also references to her mother, who was Austrian. Also, notice that she wrote this the day she got her divorce papers signed. Shortly after she committed suicide

I think Sylvia Plath is trying to show an 'oppressor-oppressed' relationship between her and her father by playing the role as a Jew and he a Nazi.

grr!! although your explanation is good, it would be better if you read her biography in order to fully understand the poem. She feels a strong resentment for her father who was not there for her when she needed him the most. She blames him (she does mention and repeat the word you throughout the poem) for the disaster her life turns out to be. This gives the poem an accusitive tone and mood since she does seem to be pointing a finger in his direction. Her life turns out to be a total screw up as well as her marriage. she let other people influence her life. knowing that she was deprived of a male influence in her life, she searched for a replacement, a model of her father, which she found in Ted. This poem is not only aimed at her fathe, but it is also aimed at Ted who sucked her blood for one year, seven to be more exact. her marriage lasted only seven years, but that one year refers to when Ted was having an affair with his mistress Assia Weville. when she mentions the telephone and the voices that couldnt worm through she is referring to the the phone conversation between Assia and Ted which she overheard. well watever

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yvonne