Sylvia Plath & Racism: A Deep Dive Into The Bell Jar & Beyond

01 May, 2025

Can a literary icon, celebrated for her raw portrayal of the female experience, also harbor the seeds of prejudice? Sylvia Plath's work, particularly "The Bell Jar," has come under increasing scrutiny for its problematic depictions of race, prompting a reevaluation of her legacy and the complexities of her time.

Sylvia Plath's life and work are inextricably linked to the tumultuous social landscape of the mid-20th century United States. She wrote during a period marked by burgeoning racial tensions, the nascent stages of the Civil Rights Movement, and the early stirrings of the second-wave feminist movement. These contexts, while shaping Plath's artistic vision, also arguably influenced the less savory aspects of her writing. Her exploration of the human psyche, particularly the struggles of women against societal constraints, resonates deeply with readers even today. However, her novel, "The Bell Jar," and her other works, have also drawn criticism for utilizing problematic devices, including the perpetuation of racist tropes and the erasure of marginalized voices. Furthermore, Plath's personal views, as gleaned from her letters and other writings, offer a complex and often troubling picture of her relationship with race and difference.

Aspect	Details
Full Name	Sylvia Plath
Born	October 27, 1932, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Died	February 11, 1963 (aged 30), London, England
Nationality	American
Education	Smith College (B.A.), Cambridge University (attended)
Occupation	Poet, Novelist
Notable Works	The Bell Jar, Ariel (poetry collection), Daddy (poem)
Literary Movement(s)	Confessional Poetry
Spouse(s)	Ted Hughes (m. 19561963; her death)
Children	Frieda Hughes, Nicholas Hughes
Awards/Recognition	Pulitzer Prize for Poetry (posthumously, 1982)
Key Themes	Feminism, mental illness, identity, death, motherhood
Controversies	Accusations of racism, appropriation of Jewish identity, portrayal of mental illness, the nature of her relationship with Ted Hughes
Reference Website	Poetry Foundation

Critics have argued that Plath's focus on her personal struggles, while compelling, sometimes led to a lack of awareness of the experiences of women of color. By centering her own plight, it is contended that she, unintentionally or otherwise, participated in a form of erasure, failing to acknowledge the unique challenges faced by women of color in a society rife with both racial and gender-based discrimination. This form of unintentional bias is an aspect of the era, but it is also important to acknowledge the negative effects of this.

The critical conversation surrounding Plath's work has been ongoing for decades. Some scholars contend that her writing reflects the prevailing attitudes of her time, a time when casual racism and antisemitism were more widely accepted. Others argue that such a defense is insufficient, that it serves to downplay the harm caused by her words and the need for a more critical engagement with her work. The use of the phrase, "of her time," has often been seen as a way of minimizing the severity of the issue. This attitude can be seen in the academic world, where the discourse around the problematic elements of Plath's work is often overshadowed by her literary achievements.

One of the most frequently cited examples of Plath's problematic tendencies can be found in "The Bell Jar." The novel, while a powerful depiction of a young woman's descent into mental illness, also contains elements that are now considered racially insensitive. Critics have pointed to the portrayal of Esther Greenwood, the protagonist, and her interactions with characters of different racial backgrounds as evidence of Plath's unconscious biases. The "boyish frame and yellow skin of Esther's double" can be viewed as a specific example of the language which evokes uncomfortable images. The language used by Plath in this novel and her other works suggests a form of fetishization, where non-white characters are reduced to their physical attributes. The use of racialized language also contributes to a form of erasure of the complexities of the experience of different racial groups, particularly for people of colour.

The critical canon has often struggled with how to reconcile Plath's literary achievements with the problematic aspects of her work. There is a certain degree of discomfort associated with the topic, and biographers have often been accused of favouritism, or outright avoidance, of the topic. The discomfort is understandable, considering the deeply personal nature of Plath's work and the immense admiration she continues to garner from readers around the world. However, this discomfort should not preclude a critical examination of her biases. To acknowledge Plath's flaws is not to diminish her literary accomplishments. In fact, it may be essential to fully understand her work and its place within the historical context.

Further complicating the issue is Plath's use of autobiographical elements in her fiction. Esther Greenwood, the protagonist of "The Bell Jar," is widely considered to be a thinly veiled representation of Plath herself. This blurring of the lines between the author and her creation can make it difficult to separate Plath's personal views from her artistic choices. For instance, when we read of Esther's experiences, are we reading Plath's experiences? This makes the task of analyzing the more problematic aspects of her writing even more delicate.

Plath's exploration of gender queerness, specifically in the context of her own life and experience, is another area of complexity. Her suggestions of homosexuality as a "specific evil" are a strong example of how the era affected her writings. This reflects, in part, the cultural attitudes that prevailed at the time. Additionally, the inclusion of her views on race, and her use of stereotypes, reflects a broader lack of understanding of the complexities of race relations.

The question of whether Plath was "racist" is not easily answered. It's not a question of simple yes or no. It is difficult to determine the author's intentions. Was she consciously trying to demean or belittle people of colour? Or was her writing a product of her time, reflecting the attitudes of the white suburbia of the 1960s? Given the pervasive nature of implicit bias, it's likely that Plath, like many others, absorbed and internalized racist attitudes without being fully aware of them. Acknowledging this doesn't excuse her, but it does offer a more nuanced understanding of the context in which her work was created. It is also important to remember the impact that the Civil Rights movement, which began in the 1960s, had on the social climate of the United States. Additionally, it is essential to recall the fact that the second wave of feminism, and its emphasis on the need to fight against gender discrimination, was just taking off. This complicated situation could have an impact on her writing.

The impact of Plath on popular culture is undeniable. Her work has been reinterpreted and referenced in movies such as "Ten Things I Hate About You," and music, such as rockstar Ryan Adams's song "Sylvia Plath." This means that her legacy remains a subject of discussion, a source of inspiration, and a site of critical inquiry. It is a way of making her work more accessible to new audiences. It is also an opportunity to re-evaluate and reconsider the impact of her work on contemporary culture.

The debate surrounding Plath's legacy is far from settled. As the conversation around race and representation continues to evolve, so too will the assessment of her work. It is unlikely that the critical world will reach a consensus on this issue. However, by examining her writing through a more critical lens, readers and scholars can gain a deeper understanding of both her artistry and the complexities of her time. It is important to understand that Plath's work should be understood within the historical context in which it was created.

The publication of Heather Clark's biography, "Red Comet: The Short Life and Blazing Art of Sylvia Plath," offers a new perspective on Plath's life and work. The biography, which is just short of 1000 pages, gives a comprehensive account of Plath's life and career. The volume provides additional data on Plath's life, and a much deeper understanding of the context in which she lived. The biography, in this case, is crucial because it goes beyond the literary and delves into her personal history. In addition, it offers some insights into the aspects of Plath's life that are not widely known. The fact that it's not even mentioned in her daughter's foreword, suggests that the issue of Plath's racism is something that is very complex.

The use of the bee poems, written in October 1962 after her separation from her husband, Ted Hughes, also provides opportunities for interpretation. The poems are about the female self. In this context, the way that Plath uses bees, and the way that she interprets the role of the queen bee, provides a deeper insight into the author's own understanding of women. Through the lens of Toni Morrison's texts, it's possible to examine the use of bees and the symbolism that Plath uses. Plath deliberately alters biographical details to emphasize the maleness of science. She does not acknowledge, in her book, the use of words like "erg," "joules," "valences," and "watts." These details are crucial to understanding the context in which Plath wrote. This is especially true, given the fact that Plath was living in Saratoga Springs, New York, in October 1959, as she wrote to her mother and brother.

In conclusion, the ongoing examination of Sylvia Plath's work reminds us that even the most celebrated artists can be flawed. To understand the complexities of her writing, we must acknowledge the problematic aspects of her work. By grappling with these difficult issues, we can gain a more nuanced and ultimately more rewarding understanding of Plath's legacy. The discussion will likely continue for many years to come. The importance of the discussion lies in the effort to create a better understanding of Plath's work within its historical context. This is not only important for understanding the author, but also for appreciating the evolution of cultural awareness and how to appreciate art in a more comprehensive way.

Sylvia Plath Will the poet always be defined by her death? BBC Culture

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The Unabridged Journals of Sylvia Plath by Sylvia Plath Goodreads

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