Introduction: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
“The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath first appeared in her 1965 collection Ariel is characterized by its sharp, satirical tone, critiques societal expectations and the commodification of individuals within the context of marriage and gender roles. Plath’s use of stark imagery and a biting, conversational style highlights the mechanical and dehumanizing nature of the interview process portrayed in the poem. Through its vivid depiction of a woman’s objectification, “The Applicant” effectively exposes the absurdity and underlying brutality of societal norms, making it a powerful commentary on the pressures of conformity and the loss of personal identity.
Text: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
First, are you our sort of a person?
Do you wear
A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch,
A brace or a hook,
Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch,
Stitches to show something’s missing? No, no? Then
How can we give you a thing?
Stop crying.
Open your hand.
Empty? Empty. Here is a hand
To fill it and willing
To bring teacups and roll away headaches
And do whatever you tell it.
Will you marry it?
It is guaranteed
To thumb shut your eyes at the end
And dissolve of sorrow.
We make new stock from the salt.
I notice you are stark naked.
How about this suit——
Black and stiff, but not a bad fit.
Will you marry it?
It is waterproof, shatterproof, proof
Against fire and bombs through the roof.
Believe me, they’ll bury you in it.
Now your head, excuse me, is empty.
I have the ticket for that.
Come here, sweetie, out of the closet.
Well, what do you think of that?
Naked as paper to start
But in twenty-five years she’ll be silver,
In fifty, gold.
A living doll, everywhere you look.
It can sew, it can cook,
It can talk, talk, talk.
It works, there is nothing wrong with it.
You have a hole, it’s a poultice.
You have an eye, it’s an image.
My boy, it’s your last resort.
Will you marry it, marry it, marry it.
Annotations: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
| Line | Annotation |
| First, are you our sort of a person? | The poem opens with an interrogation, establishing a power dynamic between the speaker (a kind of salesperson) and the “applicant” (a potential groom). The question implies conformity is key. |
| Do you wear | This line starts a list of physical flaws or prosthetics, suggesting the speaker is seeking someone broken or incomplete. |
| A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch, | The list continues, emphasizing the dehumanizing nature of the evaluation, reducing people to body parts. |
| A brace or a hook, | The list implies a preference for someone physically impaired, perhaps easier to control or manipulate. |
| Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch, | This line introduces a darkly humorous element while highlighting societal expectations around female sexuality. |
| Stitches to show something’s missing? | The speaker seems to be looking for evidence of vulnerability, a need that can be exploited. |
| No, no? Then | This dismissive response implies the applicant isn’t “damaged” enough to be a suitable candidate. |
| How can we give you a thing? | The woman is dehumanized, referred to as a “thing,” a commodity to be given away. |
| Stop crying. | This command suggests emotional vulnerability is undesirable, reinforcing a patriarchal view of masculinity. |
| Open your hand. | The empty hand symbolizes the applicant’s lack, setting the stage for the “solution” to be offered. |
| Empty? Empty. Here is a hand | The repetition emphasizes the emptiness and the stark contrast with the offered “hand” (wife). |
| To fill it and willing | The woman is portrayed as compliant and subservient, fulfilling traditional gender roles. |
| To bring teacups and roll away headaches | The woman’s role is further defined as domestic and caregiving, focused on the man’s comfort. |
| And do whatever you tell it. | This line reinforces the woman’s total submission and lack of agency. |
| Will you marry it? | The question is repeated throughout the poem, a relentless sales pitch for a disturbing product. |
| It is guaranteed | This phrase further commodifies the woman, as if she comes with a warranty. |
| To thumb shut your eyes at the end | The woman’s role extends even to death, providing a final service to the husband. |
| And dissolve of sorrow. | This line implies the woman’s grief is her defining characteristic and a source of renewal (“new stock”). |
| We make new stock from the salt. | A disturbing image, suggesting women’s tears are harvested to create more compliant wives. |
| I notice you are stark naked. | The focus shifts to the applicant’s lack of attire, mirroring his emotional and relational nakedness. |
| How about this suit— | The suit represents societal expectations and the conformity it demands. |
| Black and stiff, but not a bad fit. | The suit, like marriage, is presented as restrictive but ultimately acceptable. |
| Will you marry it? | The repetition reinforces the transactional nature of the marriage being proposed. |
| It is waterproof, shatterproof, proof | This list emphasizes the suit’s durability, implying the wife will endure any hardship. |
| Against fire and bombs through the roof. | Hyperbole is used to exaggerate the wife’s resilience and perhaps suggest the destructive nature of marriage. |
| Believe me, they’ll bury you in it. | A dark prediction that the suit (marriage) will ultimately be the applicant’s demise. |
Literary And Poetic Devices: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
| Literary Device | Definition | Example | Explanation |
| Alliteration | Repetition of initial consonant sounds | “Black and stiff, but not a bad fit.” | The repetition of the “b” sound emphasizes the description of the suit. |
| Assonance | Repetition of vowel sounds within words | “Rubber breasts or a rubber crotch,” | The repetition of the “u” sound creates a rhythmic quality. |
| Metaphor | A figure of speech that implies a comparison | “A living doll, everywhere you look.” | The woman is compared to a doll, suggesting she is expected to be passive and decorative. |
| Irony | A contrast between expectation and reality | “Stop crying. Open your hand. Empty? Empty.” | The irony lies in the expectation of receiving something valuable, but finding nothing. |
| Imagery | Descriptive language that appeals to the senses | “Glass eye, false teeth or a crutch” | Vivid images highlight the artificiality and physical imperfections expected to be concealed. |
| Satire | Use of humor, irony, or exaggeration to criticize | “Will you marry it? It is guaranteed” | The poem satirizes the institution of marriage and the objectification of women. |
| Symbolism | Use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities | “Black and stiff” suit | The suit symbolizes conformity and the rigid roles imposed by society. |
| Repetition | Repeating words or phrases for emphasis | “Will you marry it, marry it, marry it.” | Repetition emphasizes the pressure and insistence on conforming to societal expectations. |
| Rhetorical Question | A question asked for effect, not requiring an answer | “First, are you our sort of a person?” | The question sets the tone for judgment and scrutiny. |
| Hyperbole | Exaggerated statements not meant to be taken literally | “Proof Against fire and bombs through the roof.” | Exaggeration emphasizes the absurdity of the claims made about the suit. |
| Personification | Attributing human characteristics to non-human entity | “To bring teacups and roll away headaches” | The hand is given human qualities, suggesting it can perform domestic tasks. |
| Juxtaposition | Placing two elements close together for contrasting effect | “Naked as paper to start But in twenty-five years she’ll be silver” | Contrasts the initial state with the future state to highlight transformation expectations. |
| Enjambment | Continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line | “Empty? Empty. Here is a hand To fill it and willing” | The enjambment creates a sense of urgency and continuity in the demands made. |
| Simile | A comparison using “like” or “as” | “Naked as paper to start” | The simile compares the initial vulnerability to the blankness of paper. |
| Tone | The general character or attitude of a piece of writing | Satirical and critical | The tone critiques societal norms and expectations through its sharp and mocking language. |
| Paradox | A statement that contradicts itself but may contain a truth | “You have an eye, it’s an image.” | The paradox highlights the superficial nature of appearances versus reality. |
| Connotation | The implied or suggested meaning of a word | “Stark naked” | “Stark naked” connotes vulnerability and exposure beyond its literal meaning. |
| Anaphora | Repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses | “Will you marry it?” | The repeated question emphasizes the pressure and expectation of marriage. |
| Allegory | A story with two levels of meaning: literal and symbolic | The entire poem | The poem serves as an allegory for societal expectations and the roles imposed on individuals. |
| Allusion | An indirect reference to another text or context | “In fifty, gold” | Alludes to anniversaries, suggesting the longevity and endurance expected in marriage. |
Themes: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
- The Commodification of Women and Marriage: Plath’s poem relentlessly portrays women as mere commodities, reducing their value to their utility in fulfilling traditional roles. Through phrases like “How can we give you a thing?” and “We make new stock from the salt,” the speaker emphasizes the transactional nature of marriage, where women are not individuals but objects to be traded and consumed. This objectification strips women of their agency and autonomy, reducing them to mere “hands” to fill the emptiness of men’s lives.
- Societal Pressure and Conformity: The poem is a scathing critique of societal expectations placed upon both men and women. The opening line, “First, are you our sort of person?”, sets the stage for an interrogation of the applicant’s conformity to societal norms. The pressure to fit into predefined molds is further emphasized by the “black and stiff” suit offered as a symbol of conforming masculinity. Plath suggests that adherence to these societal expectations can lead to a stifled existence, ultimately culminating in the chilling prediction, “Believe me, they’ll bury you in it.”
- The Dehumanization and Objectification of Individuals: Plath’s speaker relentlessly focuses on physical flaws and imperfections, reducing both the applicant and the potential wife to mere objects. This dehumanization is evident in lines like “Do you wear A glass eye, false teeth or a crutch” and “I notice you are stark naked.” By emphasizing their perceived inadequacies, the poem highlights the damaging effects of societal expectations that value individuals solely based on their physical attributes, stripping them of their inherent worth and individuality.
- The Suppression of Female Identity and Agency: Plath’s poem exposes the suppression of female voices and the denial of their autonomy. Women are expected to be silent and obedient, their primary function being to serve the husband’s needs, as evident in phrases like “Stop crying” and “And do whatever you tell it.” The “living doll” offered as a wife is valued not for her individuality but for her ability to perform domestic tasks, further reinforcing the idea that women’s worth is solely tied to their ability to conform to societal expectations. The poem serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of denying women their agency and silencing their voices.
Literary Theories and “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
| Literary Theory | Explanation | Application to “The Applicant” |
| Feminist Theory | Examines literature in terms of gender inequality, roles, and stereotypes. | – Gender Roles: Critiques traditional gender roles and expectations placed on women. – Objectification: Depicts the female applicant as an object to be used and controlled, highlighting dehumanization. – Marriage as a Social Institution: Satirizes marriage as a transactional arrangement. |
| Marxist Theory | Analyzes literature in terms of class struggle, power relations, and social inequalities. | – Commodification: Portrays individuals, especially women, as commodities reflecting capitalist ideologies. <br> – Class and Power Dynamics: The speaker represents an authority figure controlling the applicant, mirroring power dynamics in capitalist societies. <br> – Alienation: Shows alienation from true selves. |
| Psychoanalytic Theory | Explores unconscious mind, desires, and anxieties of authors and characters. | – Identity and Self-Perception: Delves into psychological pressures of conforming to societal standards, leading to a distorted self-identity. <br> – Desire and Anxiety: Reveals anxieties about acceptance and worth through the applicant’s desperation and the speaker’s demands. <br> – Symbolism: Uses objects as symbols of deeper psychological issues. |
Critical Questions about “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
- How does Plath critique traditional gender roles and expectations in “The Applicant”?
- Plath challenges traditional gender roles by subverting expectations. The poem’s speaker, representing societal norms, presents a submissive and domesticated woman as the ideal wife, fulfilling roles such as “bring[ing] teacups and roll[ing] away headaches.” However, this portrayal is deeply ironic. Plath exposes the absurdity of these expectations by reducing the woman to a mere object, a “living doll” with no agency or identity beyond her ability to serve. The poem thus critiques the limitations imposed on women by patriarchal structures, highlighting the dehumanization inherent in traditional gender roles.
- In what ways does Plath use language and imagery to convey the dehumanization and objectification of individuals in the poem?
- Plath’s language and imagery vividly portray the dehumanization and objectification prevalent in societal expectations. The repeated question, “Will you marry it?” reduces both the applicant and the potential wife to mere commodities. The woman is described as a “thing” and a “hand,” while the man’s worth is measured by his lack of physical imperfections. This objectification is further emphasized by the focus on body parts and prosthetics, reducing individuals to their physical attributes rather than their inherent worth.
- How does the poem explore the themes of conformity and societal pressure?
- “The Applicant” delves into the stifling effects of societal pressure and the demand for conformity. The opening line, “First, are you our sort of person?” immediately establishes the importance of fitting into predefined molds. The black suit offered to the applicant symbolizes this pressure to conform to societal expectations, even if it means sacrificing individuality and authenticity. Plath suggests that succumbing to such pressures can lead to a life devoid of personal fulfillment and ultimately result in a metaphorical burial in societal expectations.
- What is the significance of the “living doll” motif in the poem and how does it contribute to the overall message?
- The “living doll” motif is a poignant representation of the ideal wife as envisioned by societal norms. This figure is valued not for her individuality or personality but for her ability to perform domestic tasks and conform to traditional gender roles. The doll’s ability to “sew, cook, and talk, talk, talk” underscores the expectation that women should be both subservient and entertaining. This motif highlights the dehumanizing nature of these expectations, reducing women to objects designed to fulfill specific functions rather than individuals with their own desires and aspirations.
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements about “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
| Topic | Question | Thesis Statement |
| Gender Roles and Objectification | How does “The Applicant” critique traditional gender roles? | “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath critiques traditional gender roles by portraying women as commodities in a patriarchal society. |
| Satire of Marriage | In what ways does the poem satirize the institution of marriage? | Sylvia Plath’s “The Applicant” satirizes the institution of marriage by depicting it as a transactional and dehumanizing process. |
| Societal Expectations and Identity | How does the poem explore the impact of societal expectations on identity? | “The Applicant” explores the impact of societal expectations on individual identity, revealing the loss of self in the pursuit of conformity. |
| The Role of Capitalism in Personal Relationships | What commentary does the poem offer on capitalism and personal relationships? | Sylvia Plath’s “The Applicant” offers a critique of capitalism by illustrating how personal relationships are commodified and controlled by societal norms. |
Literary Works Similar to “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
- “Barbie Doll” by Marge Piercy: This poem critiques societal expectations and the pressures on women to conform to unrealistic standards of beauty.
- “Aunt Jennifer’s Tigers” by Adrienne Rich: This poem explores themes of female oppression and the struggle for autonomy within a patriarchal society.
- “Phenomenal Woman” by Maya Angelou: In contrast to the objectification in Plath’s poem, this work celebrates the inherent worth and strength of women, defying societal norms.
- “Mirror” by Sylvia Plath: Another poem by Plath that examines self-perception and the pressures of conforming to societal standards of beauty.
- “This Be The Verse” by Philip Larkin: While not focused on gender, this poem similarly employs a critical tone to address the impact of societal expectations and familial influence on individual identity.
Suggested Readings: “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
Books
- Bloom, Harold, editor. Sylvia Plath. Chelsea House, 2007.
- Bundtzen, Lynda K. Plath’s Incarnations: Woman and the Creative Process. University of Michigan Press, 1983.
- Gill, Jo. The Cambridge Introduction to Sylvia Plath. Cambridge University Press, 2008.
- Kukil, Karen V., editor. The Journals of Sylvia Plath. Faber & Faber, 2000.
- Wagner-Martin, Linda. Sylvia Plath: A Literary Life. Macmillan, 1999.
Articles
- Dobbs, Jeannine. “Viciousness in the Kitchen: Sylvia Plath’s Domestic Poetry.” Modern Language Studies, vol. 7, no. 2, 1977, pp. 11-25.
- Perloff, Marjorie. “A Ritual for Being Born Twice: Sylvia Plath’s ‘The Applicant.'” Modern Poetry Studies, vol. 4, no. 3, 1973, pp. 278-289.
- Uroff, M. D. “Sylvia Plath and Confessional Poetry: A Reconsideration.” Iowa Review, vol. 8, no. 1, 1977, pp. 104-115.
Weblinks
- Academy of American Poets. “The Applicant by Sylvia Plath.” Poets.org, https://poets.org/poem/applicant.
- Berry, Leonard L. “Sylvia Plath: ‘The Applicant.'” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/49010/the-applicant.
Representative Quotations of “The Applicant” by Sylvia Plath
| Quotation | Context | Theoretical Perspective |
| “First, are you our sort of a person?” | This opening line establishes a power dynamic, with the speaker acting as a gatekeeper to societal acceptance. It reflects the pressure to conform to societal norms and expectations. | Feminist Theory: This highlights the scrutiny women face in patriarchal societies, where their value is often determined by their adherence to societal standards. |
| “How can we give you a thing?” | The woman is objectified, reduced to a “thing” to be given away in marriage. This reinforces the transactional nature of marriage and the commodification of women. | Marxist Theory: This aligns with the Marxist critique of capitalism, where individuals, especially women, are reduced to commodities with exchange value rather than intrinsic worth. |
| “It is guaranteed to thumb shut your eyes at the end and dissolve of sorrow.” | The wife’s role extends even to death, providing a final service by closing the husband’s eyes. This morbid image highlights the subservient and sacrificial role expected of women in traditional marriages. | Psychoanalytic Theory: This could be interpreted as a manifestation of the death drive (Thanatos) in Freudian theory, where the woman’s ultimate purpose is linked to death and mourning. |
| “Now your head, excuse me, is empty. I have the ticket for that.” | This line suggests that women are not only expected to be physically subservient but also intellectually empty. The “ticket” could symbolize marriage as a means to fill this perceived void. | Poststructuralist Theory: This could be viewed as a critique of the binary opposition between male intellect and female domesticity, highlighting the power dynamics inherent in these constructions. |
| “It can sew, it can cook, it can talk, talk, talk.” | The repetition emphasizes the performative nature of the wife’s role, where her value is tied to her ability to fulfill domestic tasks and provide entertainment. | Gender Performativity Theory (Judith Butler): This echoes Butler’s concept of gender as a performance, highlighting how women are often expected to conform to specific roles and behaviors. |