Analyzing Silvia Plath's Poem 'Sow'

Marian Espana
Ms. Negin
AP Lit
29 October 2017

“The Value of a Sow”

Silvia Plath’s poem “Sow” uses the perspectives of two different perspectives to show that people may take for granted the things that are theirs. Through her use of contrasting diction, imagery and allusion, Plath shows the difference views of the individuals. The first individual is a humble farmer who owns the sow. He sees the sow as an ordinary pig. The second individual and speaker is an unnamed neighbor who perceives the sow as a grand prize pig. He admires the sow by emphasizing its grandeur compared to other pigs. The first character is the farmer who perceives the sow as an ordinary pig. Through Plath’s use of diction such as “shrewd secret” and “impounded form

Plath explores the view point of the anonymous neighbor to demonstrate how much the farmer disregards the sow just because it is his. The speaker uses diction such as “glorified for prime flesh and golden crackling” to show the awe of the sow (15). Words such at “glorified” and “golden” show that something is valuable and is worshipped as the speaker finds value in the sow. Plath also describes the sow as “a vision of ancient hoghood” through the speaker (28). Plath’s description of the sow as a “vision” shows the speaker’s appreciation for it as something that is a vision is usually known for its beauty or is worthy of awe. Plath also employs imagery when she states that the sow is “marvel blazoned a knight” and “grove for combat” (31, 33). By comparing the sow to a knight’s steed in combat, Plath shows how the speaker views the sow as noble and to be respected. Through the speaker, Plath also alludes to the island in Gulliver’s Travels by describing the sow as a “Brobdingnag bulk” (24). This allusion emphasizes the speakers view of the sow as grand as the island of Brobdingnag is know for being inhabited by giants that Gulliver first admires for their sheer