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Sylvia Plath, "Morning Song"

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Re-Reading Questions

Text on p. 903 of the full Ninth Edition

The poem text begins on p.903 of the hardcover edition of The Norton Introduction to Literature, 8e and on p.680 of the shorter edition. We regret that we were unable to obtain permission to reproduce this poem on our site.

Re-Reading Questions

1. The speaker seems to have mixed feelings, both positive and negative, about her new status and about the child. Give examples of her varying emotions.  What are some implications of her viewing the child as a "fat gold watch" or a "new statue"?

2. Perhaps the most difficult metaphor to comprehend is that of the third stanza. Consider what she is saying about the cloud, and then how that applies to her feelings about motherhood.

3. What metaphors or similes do you find most striking? What is literally being described about the window? Is this sharp description or does it also speak metaphorically about the situation? What is the effect of the cartoon-like "balloons" at the end for describing the child's cry, especially for a writer/mother?

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