"Lady Lazarus" is a poem written by Sylvia Plath, published in her posthumous collection Ariel. It is a highly personal and autobiographical poem, reflecting Plath's own struggles with mental illness and her experiences with electroconvulsive therapy.
The poem begins with the speaker announcing that she is "the opposite of the dead." She is a woman who has come back to life, who has been "resurrected" like the biblical figure Lazarus. However, she is not a miraculous resurrection, but rather a woman who has been brought back to life through the horrors of electroconvulsive therapy.
The speaker goes on to describe herself as a "miracle," a "Phenomenon," and a "new statue," suggesting that she has been transformed by her experiences. She also compares herself to a "mummy" and a "corpse" that has been "dipped" in "tar" and "turpentine," further emphasizing the painful and traumatic nature of her experiences.
Throughout the poem, the speaker is self-aware and self-conscious, seeming to be aware that she is being watched and judged by others. She speaks directly to her audience, challenging them to "Do not think I underestimate your great concern." She also mentions that she has "done it again," implying that this is not the first time she has come back to life in this way.
The poem ends with the speaker declaring that she is "the fig tree," a reference to a passage in the Bible in which Jesus curses a fig tree for not bearing fruit. The fig tree is a symbol of fertility and abundance, and the speaker suggests that she too is a source of life and renewal. However, the fact that she is cursed like the fig tree also suggests that her life is marked by suffering and struggle.
Overall, "Lady Lazarus" is a powerful and deeply personal poem that explores themes of mental illness, trauma, and the search for meaning in life. It is a poignant and moving depiction of the human experience and the resilience of the human spirit.
