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Analyzing "Stings" by Sylvia Plath

This activity focuses on analyzing the poem "Stings" by Sylvia Plath. Students will annotate the poem and identify the main idea, explore feminist themes, and examine the relationship between the speaker and her husband. They will also compare this poem with Plath's "The Arrival of the Bee Box."

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Analyzing "Stings" by Sylvia Plath

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  1. Do-Now: 4/2/2019 • Read the poem “Stings” silently • ANNOTATE! • At the bottom write briefly what you think the main idea of the poem is.

  2. Analyze Poetry

  3. Sylvia Plath • 1932-1963 • Lived in Boston Massachusetts • Poetry associated with the Confessional movement • Strong feminist tones in poetry

  4. “Stings” by Sylvia Plath

  5. 1st stanza • Plath is in control “I hand the combs” • It is dangerous work “gauntlets” protect, “the throats of our wrists brave lilies.”

  6. 2nd into 3rd verse • Uses feminist dialogue “pink flowers”, “sweetness” etc. • Shows women can be in control/working. • Questions if there is a queen bee at work (end of 3rd)

  7. 4th stanza and 5th • If there is a queen bee, she describes it being old and withered • This suggests Plath’s greatest fear • 5th shows her identification with the worker bees as well

  8. 6th stanza • Plath clearly doesn’t want to identify with the ‘drudges’. The word ‘scurry’ as applied to the bees/women implies lack of respect. They are women who collude with an exploitative system; who consent to their own oppression.

  9. 7th stanza • Plath has overcome her fears and is now in control of the hive just like the queen bee is

  10. 8th stanza • An ambiguous ending, this third person could represent many things to Plath: a scapegoat, an innocent bystander, a negligent worker

  11. Main concepts/points • Written by Plath to show the relationship between her and her husband. • Has feminist tones in writing • Themes of slavery and freedom (queen bee, worker bees etc.)

  12. For the remainder of the period: • Read Plath’s “The Arrival of the Bee Box” • Try and breakdown and explain each stanza like in Stings. • There are similar concepts and ideas. Start considering the similarities and differences in the two poems

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