Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Totem," Sylvia Plath delves into the existential struggles of humanity by juxtaposing themes of life, death, and identity against a backdrop of industrialization and dehumanization. Plath employs vivid imagery and intense emotional language to underline the psychological complexities that come with confronting mortality, morality, and the notion of the self. While the poem appears to be a grim commentary on human condition, it also serves as an exploration of the underbelly of society and civilization.

The opening lines set the tone for the poem with their initial focus on "the engine" and "the track," which are symbolic of the relentless, mechanized world we inhabit. "The engine is killing the track, the track is silver, / It stretches into the distance. It will be eaten nevertheless." These lines suggest that the progress symbolized by the engine and track leads ultimately to self-destruction. The existential undertone here is clear: effort and progress may all be in vain, "Its running is useless."

Plath transitions to a pastoral scene, albeit a dark one, where the "dawn gilds the farmers like pigs," and "White towers of Smithfield ahead, / Fat haunches and blood on their minds." Smithfield refers to a location traditionally associated with meat markets, lending the poem an ominous tone. The farmers, traditionally nurturers of life, are presented almost as livestock themselves, thus questioning the value and sanctity of human life in a world defined by consumption and death.

"The world is blood-hot and personal," says Plath, implying that despite the mechanical, detached aspect of society, it's the primal instincts and emotional states that make the world personal for each individual. The line "Dawn says, with its blood-flush" corroborates this by linking the dawn to a flush of blood, emphasizing life's vibrancy but also its volatility and unpredictability.

Further existential themes are brought to the forefront in "There is no terminus, only suitcases / Out of which the same self unfolds like a suit / Bald and shiny, with pockets of wishes." Here, Plath talks about the journey of life and self-discovery, suggesting that we carry our identity in metaphorical 'suitcases,' a series of roles and disguises that change over time but never truly arrive at a final destination.

The spider's proclamation "I am mad, calls the spider, waving its many arms" suggests that in the grand scheme, the cries of an individual may seem irrational or inconsequential, but they reflect an inherent struggle with existence. "And in truth it is terrible, / Multiplied in the eyes of the flies" - here, 'terrible' could mean both formidable and horrifying, encapsulating the duality of life: it is both magnificent and terrible, filled with beauty and fraught with suffering.

Towards the end, Plath talks about being "Roped in at the end by the one / Death with its many sticks." This is a vivid portrayal of death as a puppeteer, controlling the strings of life. The metaphor serves as a grim reminder that no matter how chaotic or vibrant life may be, it is ultimately finite and controlled by the inescapable reality of death.

"Totem" is not just a foray into the darkness of human existence but a confrontation with it. Plath uses visceral imagery, existential themes, and a mix of natural and industrial elements to examine what it means to be human in a world where life and death are inextricably linked, yet constantly at odds. As such, the poem stands as a complicated tapestry of humanity's internal and external struggles, a snapshot of the complexities and contradictions that define our existence.

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