"Daddy", a poem written by Sylvia Plath.

Daddy, a poem written by Sylvia Plath, describes her true feelings about her

deceased father. Throughout the poem, I found many instances that illustrate a great

feeling of hatred toward the author's father. She begins by expressing her fears of her

father and how he treated her. Subsequently she conveys her outlook on the wars being

fought in Germany. She continues by explaining her life since her father and how it has

related to him.

In the first stanza I realized that Sylvia Plath is scared of her father. It is

quite clear that she never spoke up to him to defend herself. In the first line it is apparent

that something is ending. "You do not do, you do not do any more, black shoe," (1-2)

this shows that she feels that her father cannot hurt her anymore. Also, she knows that

she has to let him know how she feels.

Sylvia Plath

23 Fitzroy Road, London : The house where Sylvia P...

Diane Middlebrook

"In which I have lived like a foot for thirty years, poor and white, barely daring to

breathe or achoo," (3-5) this expresses her fear of her father, and illustrates the fact that

she has remained silent, unable to speak up or even breath any words against him.

"Daddy, I have had to kill you. You died before I had time--," (6-7) this portrays the

extent of her hatred toward him. That she was so appalled by his character that she

would end his life if only she had the strength. But he died before she grew strong

enough to stand up to his horrible countenance.

The next portion of the poem, "Marble-heavy, a bag full of God, Ghastly statue

with one grey toe big as a Frisco seal," (8-10) shows how large she sees his presence.

Comparing him to the weight of marble with the powers...