Lady Lazarus Study Guide

Sylvia Plath: A Concise Biography

Sylvia Plath (1932-1963) was an American poet, novelist, and short story writer. Born in Boston, Massachusetts, she displayed literary talent from an early age, publishing her first poem at eight. Plath attended Smith College and later Cambridge University on a Fulbright scholarship. Her marriage to British poet Ted Hughes in 1956 was both creatively fruitful and tumultuous, ultimately ending in separation. Plath's struggle with severe depression and mental illness deeply influenced her work. Her only novel, "The Bell Jar" (1963), is a semi-autobiographical depiction of a young woman's descent into mental illness. Plath is best known for her confessional poetry, collected in volumes like "Ariel" (1965), which was published posthumously. She tragically took her own life in 1963, and her work has since been widely acclaimed for its emotional intensity and technical brilliance.

Historical and Literary Context for "Lady Lazarus"

"Lady Lazarus," written in 1962, is one of Sylvia Plath's most famous poems, included in her posthumous collection "Ariel." The poem reflects the confessional style that characterizes much of her later work, marked by raw, personal subject matter and a powerful, emotive voice.

The historical context of "Lady Lazarus" is deeply entwined with Plath's own life experiences, particularly her struggles with mental illness and her repeated suicide attempts. Written during a period of intense personal crisis following the breakdown of her marriage to Ted Hughes, the poem draws on themes of death, rebirth, and female empowerment. The title itself references the biblical figure Lazarus, who was resurrected by Jesus, symbolizing Plath's own cyclical experiences of near-death and survival.

Literarily, "Lady Lazarus" is significant for its striking use of imagery and its exploration of the self as both subject and object. The poem's tone oscillates between defiance, resignation, and dark humor, showcasing Plath's masterful control of language and form. It also reflects broader themes in 20th-century literature, such as the exploration of identity, the critique of societal expectations, and the expression of personal trauma. Plath's work, and "Lady Lazarus" in particular, has had a lasting impact on feminist literary criticism and remains a powerful testament to her enduring legacy.

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