Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In Sylvia Plath's "Departure," the theme of loss permeates the landscape, people, and even the natural world. The poem opens with a vivid description of figs and grapes that are "green," an image that is immediately counteracted by the blunt statement, "The money's run out." This sets the tone for the entire poem: a stark contrast between the potential represented by ripening fruits and the grim reality of financial or existential destitution.

The imagery Plath employs is worth noting; she begins by portraying what appears to be a serene, almost idyllic scene where nature is abundant, only to subvert these expectations. The phrase "The money's run out" acts as a jarring foil to the lush natural images, signaling an impending crisis. This serves as a metaphorical basis for the overall message of the poem, that nature's course is indifferent to human suffering or challenges.

The lines "How nature, sensing this, compounds her bitters. / Ungifted, ungrieved, our leavetaking" speak volumes about the apathy of the natural world. Nature does not "grieve" the departures and trials of human life. It is indifferent, carrying on in its cycles of growth and decay, as indicated by the sun shining on "unripe corn" and cats playing among the stalks. These observations articulate a nihilistic view of the universe, wherein nature is indifferent to human suffering, and our own dramas are but fleeting moments in the grander scheme.

As we move deeper into the poem, Plath introduces us to the concept of retrospect and how memory can either be a balm or another form of torment. She presents the idea that while looking back might not always reflect the hard realities-represented by the "sun's brass, the moon's steely patinas, / The leaden slag of the world"-it will always expose the eternal brutality of nature. The "scraggy rock spit" against which the sea continually beats symbolizes life's trials, relentless and uncaring. Nature here is not just indifferent but actively hostile, described as "brutal endlessly."

Plath doesn't stop at describing natural landscapes; she brings in elements of human civilization, albeit in a dilapidated form. The "Gull-fouled, a stone hut" standing against "corroding weathers" exemplifies the impermanence and fragility of human life and achievements. Goats, another addition to the tapestry of images, represent the survivors in this harsh landscape. They are "morose, rank-haired," yet persistent, seeking whatever nourishment they can find in the form of "sea-salt."

"Departure" serves as a bleak meditation on human struggle against an indifferent, if not hostile, universe. Through a series of contrasting images-lush fruitfulness juxtaposed with financial dearth, the relentless brutality of the sea against a decaying human shelter-Plath delves into the emotional and existential facets of departure, be it from a physical place or a phase in life. She masterfully uses nature as a lens to explore these themes, employing vivid imagery and intricate contrasts to convey the poem's overarching sense of loss and resignation.

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