1. Do-Now: 4/2/2019 Read the poem “Stings” silently ANNOTATE!
At the bottom write briefly what you think the main idea of the poem is.

2. Analyze Poetry

3. Sylvia Plath 1932-1963 Lived in Boston Massachusetts
Poetry associated with the Confessional movement
Strong feminist tones in poetry

4. “Stings” by Sylvia Plath

5. 1st stanza Plath is in control “I hand the combs”
It is dangerous work “gauntlets” protect, “the throats of our wrists brave lilies.”

6. 2nd into 3rd verse
Uses feminist dialogue “pink flowers”, “sweetness” etc.
Shows women can be in control/working.
Questions if there is a queen bee at work (end of 3rd)

7. 4th stanza and 5th
If there is a queen bee, she describes it being old and withered
This suggests Plath’s greatest fear
5th shows her identification with the worker bees as well

8. 6th stanza
Plath clearly doesn’t want to identify with the ‘drudges’. The word ‘scurry’ as applied to the bees/women implies lack of respect. They are women who collude with an exploitative system; who consent to their own oppression.

9. 7th stanza
Plath has overcome her fears and is now in control of the hive just like the queen bee is

10. 8th stanza
An ambiguous ending, this third person could represent many things to Plath: a scapegoat, an innocent bystander, a negligent worker

11. Main concepts/points
Written by Plath to show the relationship between her and her husband.
Has feminist tones in writing
Themes of slavery and freedom (queen bee, worker bees etc.)

12. For the remainder of the period:
Read Plath’s “The Arrival of the Bee Box”
Try and breakdown and explain each stanza like in Stings.
There are similar concepts and ideas. Start considering the similarities and differences in the two poems