Kasey CallahanProfessor Diana VecchioENGL-102: Literary Genres (Section B)2 April 2014Symbolism in Sylvia Plath's “Tulips” Throughout Sylvia Plath's Life and Period growing up, it's understandable why she was always unhappy with the opportunities she was given as a writer. Growing up during World War II, when it darkened the mood of the nation, Plath went through various periods of depression, insomnia, and suicidal thoughts, which are shown in her works (Neurotic Poets 1). In today's literature, "his work is notable for the intense pairing of its violent or disturbed images and its playful use of alliteration and rhyme" (Poets 1). While on the surface the poem “Tulips” by Sylvia Plath discusses the contrast between the colorful, vivid bouquet and the stark whiteness of the hospital walls, one can also explore other symbolic contrasts depicted: life and death, family and loneliness. proceeds, we see a chromatic comparison between the tulips and the hospital walls. The bright red color of the tulips symbolizes optimism in life, while the whiteness of the hospital walls symbolizes non-existence and emptiness. At the beginning of the poem, Plath states: “Tulips are too excitable, it is winter here. / Look how white everything is, how silent it is, how snow-covered it is” (Plath l. 1-2). That said, however, the whiteness of the hospital room walls represents the quiet, calm atmosphere she desires. Because of this color comparison, it is clear that Plath wants nothing to do with the outside world when she states that the bright red color “bothers” her: “Tulips are too red in the first place, they hurt me. / Even through the wrapping paper I could hear them breathing / Lightly, through their c...... middle of paper ......n Plath desiring the “gift” of life, desires the “gift” of death . Many people find Sylvia Plath's life and work depressing, but they must understand the pressures she had at that time as a well-known writer. Due to the numerous life crises Sylvia Plath experienced throughout her life, it is evident why she wrote the way she did. Between the burden that World War II placed on the country and the personal problems that occurred throughout her life, Sylvia Plath battled depression for many years and ultimately committed suicide in 1963. Although readers have seen Sylvia Plath's works as dark, it has received many awards. for her writing ability. To this day, there is controversy over his writing and his legacy. A poem like “Tulips” shows his battle and struggle between life and death and his desire for solitude and escape from his family..