The poem “Two Sisters of Persephone” by Sylvia Plath demonstrates several themes. Among these are time, nature, and duality. As time progresses, so do the emotions of the two sisters. The nature of the sisters’ surroundings can influence them, and human nature may play a role in their perception. The duality of the two sisters demonstrates their differences and how they compliment each other. The usage of literary devices also supports these themes. Imagery and euphemism compliment the theme of time, as the reader can visualize periods of time. Also, the fate of the sisters is explained by an understatement. The theme of nature is represented by imagery and symbolism. It is easy to take in the senses of nature when one is reading this poem.
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As stated just before, the symbolic line has to do with the second sister losing her virginity. This is seen in: “She sees how their red silk flare / Of pedaled blood / Burns open to the sun’s blade. / On that green alter” (Stanza 5). The blood, along with the poppies in previous lines, help to clue in the reader that while the second sister is outdoors, she has lost her virginity. The sun is given as her lover, so it is possible that her lover was someone that she greatly admired. Also, the second sister was seen to have a tan from the sun, so it is also possible that the lover is someone who gave the sister whatever material objects she desired, such as money or …show more content…
The lines “Two girls there are: within the house / One sits; the other, without / Daylong a duet of shade and light” (Lines 1-3) establishes a difference between the sisters at the very beginning of the poem. The first lines set up the fact that the two sisters are very different. The lines “The first works problems on / A mathematical machine.” (Lines 6-7) and “Bronzed as earth, the second lies,” (Line 13) explain how the two sisters are different in their career paths. The first sister occupies her time working on her career, and is seen to be fragile and weak. On the other hand, the second sister is seen to be experiencing the joys of life, even if she regrets her decisions later. The two sisters are very different, even if they are two parts of the same person. In conclusion, Sylvia Plath’s “Two Sisters of Persephone” demonstrates themes of time, nature, and duality. These help to reveal the changes, atmosphere, and differences of the two sisters. Plath uses literary devices such as imagery, euphemism, symbolism, ambiguity, and contrast to furthermore set these themes in stone. The themes and literary devices are all evidences of connotations used by Plath to write about herself in a figurative
As stated just before, the symbolic line has to do with the second sister losing her virginity. This is seen in: “She sees how their red silk flare / Of pedaled blood / Burns open to the sun’s blade. / On that green alter” (Stanza 5). The blood, along with the poppies in previous lines, help to clue in the reader that while the second sister is outdoors, she has lost her virginity. The sun is given as her lover, so it is possible that her lover was someone that she greatly admired. Also, the second sister was seen to have a tan from the sun, so it is also possible that the lover is someone who gave the sister whatever material objects she desired, such as money or …show more content…
The lines “Two girls there are: within the house / One sits; the other, without / Daylong a duet of shade and light” (Lines 1-3) establishes a difference between the sisters at the very beginning of the poem. The first lines set up the fact that the two sisters are very different. The lines “The first works problems on / A mathematical machine.” (Lines 6-7) and “Bronzed as earth, the second lies,” (Line 13) explain how the two sisters are different in their career paths. The first sister occupies her time working on her career, and is seen to be fragile and weak. On the other hand, the second sister is seen to be experiencing the joys of life, even if she regrets her decisions later. The two sisters are very different, even if they are two parts of the same person. In conclusion, Sylvia Plath’s “Two Sisters of Persephone” demonstrates themes of time, nature, and duality. These help to reveal the changes, atmosphere, and differences of the two sisters. Plath uses literary devices such as imagery, euphemism, symbolism, ambiguity, and contrast to furthermore set these themes in stone. The themes and literary devices are all evidences of connotations used by Plath to write about herself in a figurative