“Arrival of the Bee Box” by Sylvia Plath

“Arrival of the Bee Box” by Sylvia Plath Analysis

• Introduction of “Arrival of the Bee Box”: “Arrival of the Bee Box” by Sylvia Plath is a symbolic poem that contemplates the speaker’s mental state. It was first published in her famous Collection Ariel. Although the poem seems simple, it makes the reader dig for deeper meanings related to power dynamics. The poem gained immense popularity because it discusses universal themes such as power, slavery, and decision-making.
• “Arrival of the Bee Box” by Sylvia Plath As a Representative of Power: This poem is about the bee box. It begins when the speaker receives the box she has ordered. It is a heavy, square-shaped box that looks like a small coffin. The speaker hears strange noises from this box, which she considers dangerous and unsafe. As the poem continues, she informs the reader that no one can peep into that noisy box without windows. She tries to look into the box through a small eye hatch, and to her surprise, it is full of African slaves ready to be transported to another place. Further, she compares the strange noises to a crowd in ancient Rome and angry Latin. The speaker is perplexed as she has ordered a box full of madness. Now, she is worried as neither she can set them free nor feed them. Toward the end of the poem, she imagines if she tries to free them, would they notice her presence or ignore them. However, the poem ends with a proclamation that she may set them free tomorrow. On a deeper level, the poem sheds light on the traumatic life of the speaker, which is full of madness and chaos.
• Major Themes in “Arrival of the Bee Box”: “Arrival of the Bee Box” by Sylvia Plath shows various themes. The poem’s major themes are power, madness, fear, and man’s nature. On a surface level, the poem discusses a box the speaker orders. The box’s arrival brings tension, worry, and fear, as it is dangerous to have angry creatures inside. Their strange noises are getting on the speaker’s nerves, and she cannot decide what to do with the box. However, on a deeper level, the poem sheds light on the melancholic life of the speaker, who is confronting troubles and suffering. The box full of bees reflects the problems of her life. Although she tries to keep herself uplifted and constantly reminds herself that she has the power to subside them. But the depression she is facing never lets her enjoy the freedom: it keeps her mind occupied with a resultant loss of happiness, contentment, and peace. Till the end, she tries to comfort herself that the troubles will end soon and she will win her prosperity back.

Analysis of Literary/Poetic Devices Used in the Poem

Literary/Poetic devices are used to create a layer of meaning in the poem. These are also used to enhance the intended impact of the poem. Sylvia Plath used many literary devices in the poem to express her sentiments upon the arrival of the bee box. The analysis of the devices used in this poem is as follows.

1. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /e/ in “Square as a chair and almost too heavy to lift.” in Notes of Woe” and the sound of /i/ in “I would say it was the coffin of a midget.”
2. Alliteration: Alliteration is the quick repetition of consonant sounds in the same line, such as the sound of /b/ in “Black on black” and the sound of /h/ in “how hungry they are.”
3. Anaphora refers to the repetition of a word or expression in the first part of some verses. Plath repeated the word “there in the second stanza of the poem to emphasize the points such as;

“There are no windows, so I can’t see what is in there.

There is only a little grid, no exit.”

• Allusion: An allusion is a belief and an indirect reference to a person, place, thing, or idea of historical, cultural, political, or literary significance. Sylvia Plath has used visuals from African slavery, such as “Black on Black, angrily clambering.”
• Enjambment: It is defined as a thought in verse that does not come to an end at a line break; rather, it rolls over to the next line. For example;

“They might ignore me immediately

In my moon suit and funeral veil.”

• Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. Sylvia Plath uses imagery in this poem, such as “Tomorrow I will be sweet God, I will set them free.” and “Small, taken one by one, but my god, together.”
• Metaphor: A metaphor is a figure of speech in which an implied comparison is made between different objects. Plath uses power as an extended metaphor in the poem to show how she holds the utmost power over the bees.
• Rhetorical Question: A rhetorical question is a question that is not asked to receive an answer; it is just posed to make the point clear. Sylvia Plath has posed rhetorical questions at many places in the poem to emphasize his point, such as, “So why should they turn on me?” and “How can I let them out?”
• Symbolism: Symbolism uses symbols to signify ideas and qualities, giving them symbolic meanings that are different from the literal ones. “Plath has used symbols such power, slavery, captivity and imagination.

A closer glimpse of literary analysis reveals that poet has skilfully projected her ideas about power under the cover of these literary devices. The effective use of these devices has made this poem unique, appealing, and deep.

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