Mirror by Sylvia Plath
1.
1.
Who is the narrator of this poem?
Find a line or phrase that suggests the mirror is unaffected by
personal feelings.
1.
What does ‘meditating on the opposite wall’ mean?
1.
Why does Plath describe the wall as ‘part of [her] heart’?
1.
How does the mood alter in the second stanza?
1.
What do you think the woman is doing?
1.
What does the lake symbolise?
1.
Why does she call the candles and the moon ‘liars’?
1.
Write a short paragraph explaining why you like or dislike this
poem.
Background on Sylvia Plath
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Born 1932, died 1963
Suffered from depression and low selfesteem
Committed suicide three days after writing
'Mirror'
Married to poet Ted Hughes – their divorce
was said to be the reason behind Plath's
suicide
Essay Writing
Using 'Mirror' by Sylvia Plath
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Re-read the poem and make notes on what it
means to you
Remember to use quotations (including
quotation marks) throughout your essay.
Introduction
-Give the title of the poem and the poet.
-Say what sort of poem it is (in this case –
free-verse – it doesn't rhyme – and laid out
in two stanzas)
-Write a few short sentences about the
subject of the poem (truth, reflection,
death, suicide...)
Imagery
-What are the pictures used in the poem?
Why do you think they are used and what
effect do they have on the reader?
-What metaphors, similes and personification
are used?
-What senses are tapped into? Does this help
you enjoy or understand the poem?
Form & Structure
-Are there any interesting features in the
poem from the way it appears on the page –
e.g. shape, length of lines, number of stanza
Rhyme & Rhythm
-Does the poem rhyme? If so, what pattern is
used – e.g. ABAB, ABCB
-Are there any strong beats in the poem –
rhythm?
-If so, say why the poet might have used them.
Language
-Does the choice of words used by the poet
help us understand her feelings?
-Poets use certain words to trigger how we
think about a poem – which words do this?
-Think about the sound of the poem – which
techniques are used? e.g. Alliteration,
Onomatopoeia
Themes
-Explore the themes and ideas more carefully.
-What is the poem really about? What
message is Plath trying to put across?
Conclusion
-How do you respond to the poem? Does it
work for you?
-Give your thoughts and feelings about the
poem.