Literary Criticism
Formalistic Approach to "Mirror": The poem mirror is extremely straightforward, as this can be reflected through its structure itself. The poem is composed of short, concise, and abrupt sentences. There is no enjambment (with the exception of the last two lines, and one in the first stanza) suggesting that the mirror is very hard and truthful. It says what is only necessary, feeling no need to elaborate. The structure of the poem reveals the nature of the mirror. Also, the pun in lines four and five, suggest that the mirror plays the role of God. The “I” in line four becomes the “eye” of God. The mirror is also given the personality of a emotionless person. It says the wall has become a part of its heart, and suggests that it is as hard as that wall. This also indicates as God being an emotionless being. Enjambment occurs in the last two lines of the poem. It indicates that the cycle of women drowning themselves into the mirror continues for all generations. Both stanzas of the poem consist of nine lines each, and they mirror each other. Each stanza represents a different type of mirror, hence, both mirrors are mirrors of each other. The mirror has the power to not only reflect, but to comment on each of its subjects. In the last line, the mirror comments on the woman “like a terrible fish.”
Deconstructive Approach to "Mirror": One of the central themes in “Mirror” is truth vs. dishonesty. The mirror tends to hide reality. In the beginning of the poem, the mirror asserts itself as truthful, “unmisted by love or dislike,” has no preconceptions, and is a little god. It claims to be faithful as well. A mirror usually represents truth and honesty, and since it possesses God-like qualities, it must always be truthful and correct. The poem criticizes dishonesty as “then she turns to those liars, the candles or the moons.” However, even though the mirror is to represent reality, the woman cannot see it. Instead, she sees agitation and weeps in sorrow. Even though the mirror claims not to be cruel, it offers truth in cruel manners in contrast to the “candles or the moon.” The mirror is not capable of offering truth in gradual manners, in ways that the candles or moon are. Therefore, they are not necessarily liars, but demonstrate the emotion and feeling that rest inside them, qualities the mirror lacks. The mirror says it is free from preconceptions. However, in the second stanza of the poem, it labels the candles and the moons as liars. (Source B)
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"Mirror" by Sylvia Plath outline | links |
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