Sylvia Plath’s poem “Metaphors” consists entirely of what its title suggests: metaphors. This leaves the reader with the duty of discovering what meaning lies beneath these metaphors and what Plath is using them to describe. The many metaphors may seem unrelated and confusing unless one closely inspects the details that reveal their similarities. She never clearly states what she is alluding to, but with examination of this poem, it is possible to conclude that Plath is describing her pregnancy. With the knowledge of what the metaphors depict, we can explore below the surface of the poem and discover what lies much deeper. We know Plath is trying to explicate her new thoughts and experiences as a pregnant woman with the use of metaphors, but how does she really feel about this pregna

Once we get to the eighth line, Plath uses her metaphors to more bluntly state what she is feeling. She parallels getting pregnant with having “eaten a bag of green apples.” Sometimes, as humans, we can indulge ourselves in something that brings temporary pleasure without considering the consequences. By saying she has eaten a bag of apples as opposed to a single piece of fruit shows that she is feeling that she has overindulged herself. The mention of green apples, known for their sour taste, reveals that she may be feeling the sickening aftereffects composed of a combination of regret and physical sickness. In addition, the color green when seen on fruit often indicates that it is unripe. This may signify that Plath is does not feel ready to deal with such a mature undertaking as being a mother.

Line six is the only occasion where Plath uses a metaphor that could be said to identify her as being involved in the creation of her child: “Money’s new-minted in this fat purse.” Even so, she still makes the process seem very mechanical. When money is minted, it is done so by stamping on a design. Plath is apparently apathetic toward the conception of this child to view it as such a monotonous task. It obviously does not bring her much pride or joy.

In the last line, Plath comes to her final conclusion that she must succumb to the fact that there is no way of avoiding the destination she is speeding towards. She may feel she has lost control, along with her identity, but she acknowledges that she has “boarded the train there’s no getting off,” even if she regrets getting on in the first place. With this statement, Plath accepts that she is on her way to motherhood and submits herself to the progression of her pregnancy.

It was through her diction and selection of metaphors that Plath expresses her concern that she can no longer hold her own identity. She feels she is simply a “house” for this child, a “purse” to hold what is truly valued, and a “stage” for a sho

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