'Conformity In Sylvia Plath's Initiation'

In the short story “Initiation” author Sylvia Plath suggests that conformity, although the societal norm, is not always as grand as it is made out to be, while also suggesting that even though conformity typically hinders one’s self growth, there are times when the fear of conforming can make one’s sense of self stronger. These two ideas together show that Plath uses this short story to convey the message that even though conformity is not inherently a positive thing, it can drive a person to look in on themselves and develop a unique identity. Plath uses symbolism, and character introspection to assert this idea.

The most obvious type of symbolism used in this passage is the heather birds. The heather birds represent individuals. They

As part of her initiation into the sorority, Millicent is told to ask each passenger on a bus what they ate for breakfast. Most people answer very typically, while peculiar old man says that he ate “heather birds’eyebrows on toast.” He then explains to Millicent that heather birds are mystical purple birds that are free to be as they are. This man doesn’t care that he might be seen as strange for saying these things. He is very content with himself and the things he says. Even the man’s appearance is one of individuality. He “looked something like a gnome or a cheerful leprechaun. ” The conversation between Millicent and the old man takes place on a city bus. Most people would not appear to be cheerful and approachable when riding city transit, but this man is comfortable with expressing himself and does not feel the need to act like everyone else. He eagerly and readily tells Millicent about the heather birds, and how he too wishes to be mythological one day. Much like the heather birds, the old man is different from others. The man is the true representation of individuality in this story. The man’s openness with his individuality made Millicent think that perhaps all the ridiculous questions she was supposed to ask as part of her initiation were nothing to be embarrassed about. The man’s tale of the

She remembers how the quirky old man had so excitedly described the heather birds and how he didn’t care what others thought of him just as long as he became “mythical. ” The uniqueness of the heather birds and how happy and proud they were made Millicent realize that as long as one is comfortable in himself, their individuality will shine through and make them a happier person. Millicent would not have realized the importance of a strong sense of self if she had not at first tried to conform. The initiations required her to ask strangers questions and without that piece she never would have talked to the funny little man or heard about the mythical birds. Millicent would have never gone out of her comfort zone and enjoyed the connections she made with other people if she had not first asked the little old man what he ate for