Sylvia Plath: Poems

Why does the mirror insist that it is truthful?

Why does the mirror insist that it is truthful? Why is it important that a mirror be truthful? How does this reflect Plath's opinion of society?
Explain the allusion in the second stanza. How does this allusion characterize people who are consumed by their appearances?
Write a theme statement for this poem. Use your list of abstract concepts and theme statement generator.
Does Plath intended for the poem to be a reflection on herself (an autobiographical poem)? Do you think she was exploring the universal concept of duality (man’s capacity to be both good and evil)? Support your answer.
Based on the structure of this poem, is the mirror a character in this poem or an object? What circumstances change its character or physical composition?
Is the mirror is its own entity, or do you believe the mirror is an extension of the author herself? Explain your decision.
How did Plath die? What do you think Plath’s death says about her?
How can you relate this poem to the real world (or yourself)?

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The mirror first describes itself as “silver and exact.” It forms no judgments, instead merely swallowing what it sees and reflecting that image back without any alteration. The mirror is not cruel, “only truthful.” It considers itself a four-cornered eye of a god, which sees everything for what it is.

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