Review of Sylvia Plath’s poem ‘The applicant’

Review of Sylvia Plath’s poem ‘The applicant’ I request readers to read the poem from the link https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57419/the-applicant first and then only my review. Thanks. In the first reading we understand that the job (the applicant is looking for) is female-specific and that she is a robot. But even after another reading we don’t find any lead about the position open. That gives room for our creative interpretation of what the poet subtly worded and what she left unsaid. This stanza subtly shows the robot needs to replace its hand to fit into the role: ----------------- To fill it and willing To bring teacups and roll away headaches And do whatever you tell it. Will you marry it? It is guaranteed ------------------ The role has a dress code too. So the robot has to simply marry that dress and without fail put it on daily till the divorce. The last stanza shifts to the male; what a male looks for is there in this robot: -------------- It works, there is nothing wrong with it. You have a hole, it’s a poultice. You have an eye, it’s an image. My boy, it’s your last resort. Will you marry it, marry it, marry it. --------------- This robot is the metaphor for the scores of women who want their male partner to understand their wishes, dreams and expectations from a male life partner. In my view, the poet is not jumping into male bashing; rather, she has no views on that. But she has every reason to caution a female about a typical male available in plenty around.

#Sylvia Plath