Confessional Poetry

For my first essay I chose Silvia Plath’s “Daddy” to argue that her use of imagery and metaphors depicted with much clarity the state in which the speaker was in. In thinking about how I would turn around and teach students about this, I think I would first stick to basic definition of the word “confession.”

One of the definitions in Merriam Webster’s dictionary for the word “confession” is: the act of telling people something that makes you embarrassed, ashamed, etc.

I would probably engage the students by asking them if they have ever had to confess something. I would also ask them what was that experience like. I would like them to first think about what a confession is so they can understand the speaker in the poem “Daddy.” Maybe this can help students to grasp the intimacy of the speaker’s words. I would want them to think about how difficult it must have been emotionally and mentally for the speaker to share this with us.

In addition, I would also focus on the metaphors and imagery in the poem that makes it clear where the speaker is mentally, emotionally, and physically. This is just an idea but maybe I would have them close their eyes as I read the poem to them. I would want them to visualize that place and time from which the woman is speaking from.

In finalizing my discussion about Daddy,” I would then connect the confession, metaphors, imagery, so that they can understand the importance of these devices for poetry.