Breaking Down Plath

An accessible guide to Sylvia Plath's work for students and general readers "A dynamic guide through Sylvia Plath's life, fiction, and poetry. Grisafi's fresh take on Plathian themes like politics, mental health, and sexual violence prove time and time again that Sylvia Plath is not only relevant, but necessary." -ELIZABETH WINDER, author of Pain, Parties, Work: Sylvia Plath in New York, Summer 1953 In Breaking Down Plath, writer and educator Dr. Patricia Grisafi delivers a refreshing glimpse into the life and work of an iconic American poet. The author offers unique insights into how interest in Sylvia Plath developed, why her life and art matter, how the story of her life has been told, and what we still need to discover about her. Breaking Down Plath includes a thematic tour through Sylvia Plath's short fiction, journals, letters, and poetry, as well as an overview of her critics and the role her work plays in today's popular culture. Perfect for middle and high school students studying Plath's work, Breaking Down Plath is also an indispensable resource for educators, parents, and anyone interested in the work and life of Sylvia Plath.

PATRICIA GRISAFI, PHD, is a freelance writer, editor, and educator based in New York City. Aside from teaching Plath's work, she is the author of numerous essays on Plath and has presented research at academic conferences such as the 75th Annual Sylvia Plath Symposium.

Foreword ix Acknowledgments xi About the Author xiii Introduction xv Chapter 1: Who Was Sylvia Plath? 1 Chapter 2: Plath in Her Historical Context 13 Chapter 3: Plath's Poetry 23 Chapter 4: The Bell Jar, Short Fiction, and Essays 63 Chapter 5: Plath's Journals and Letters 83 Chapter 6: Plath's Legacy 93 Bibliography 99 Index 105