Sylvia Plath's "Mirror" - Line by Line Analysis

Introduction

Focus on Sylvia Plath's poem "Mirror."
Poem recently discovered by the lecturer, quickly became a favorite.
Plan: summarize the poem's literal content, then delve into interpretations and poetic devices.

Speaker: The mirror.
Objectivity: Mirror claims to be unbiased, reflecting reality exactly as it is.
God-like Reflection: Describes itself as the "eye of a little God" to show its unerring reflection capabilities.
Attachment: Becomes emotionally attached to a pink speckled wall it faces most of the time.
Transformation: In the second stanza, the mirror becomes a lake, reflecting a woman's face.

Exact and Unbiased: Mirror describes itself as "silver and exact," highlighting its lack of preconceptions.
Imagery: Words like "silver," "exact," "four-cornered" create vivid images.
Swallowing Images: The mirror "swallows" images without alteration, reflecting them truthfully.
Sibilance: Repeated 's' sounds create a serpentine illusion of deception.
God-like but Limited: Despite calling itself the "eye of a little God," the mirror has limitations - it only reflects what's directly in front.
Meditation: Considers its reflection of a wall as meditation, indicating its calm, emotionless state.
Wall's Significance: Pink wall becomes a part of the mirror's existence, symbolizing modern materialism and the mirror's reflective identity.

Transformation into Lake: A lake represents deeper reflection, amplifying the mirror's abilities.
The Woman's Search: Woman bends over the lake, searching for her true self, focusing on physical appearance.
Appearance vs. Reality: Woman's mistake in judging herself by looks alone highlights societal obsession with appearance.
Lake Symbolism: Represents depth and introspection, but the woman is misguided in her search.
Liars: Woman prefers comforting, but deceptive lights like candles or moonlight over the harsh truth of the mirror.
Agitation and Tears: Reflects woman's frustration with aging and inability to accept change.

Appearance vs. Reality: The woman's reliance on appearance for identity.
Obsession with Physical Beauty: Highlights societal pressures, especially on women.
Reflection and Narcissism: Allusion to Narcissus; danger of obsession over one's reflection.
Time's Authority: Acceptance of aging, the inevitability of change.
Modern Materialism: Value placed on objects over people.

Free Verse: Reflects the mirror's straightforward and unembellished nature - no rhyme or metric pattern.
Two Equal Stanzas: First stanza on the mirror, second on the woman, creating a reflection of content.
Reflection Symbolism: Stanza structure mirrors the theme of reflection.

Poem challenges readers to confront truths about self, time, and societal values.
Encourages acceptance of reality over comforting illusions.