For my next Present Tense column at Film Comment, I wrote about all the new information in the the recently-published two-volume full and unedited correspondence of Sylvia Plath, much of it never before seen by the general public. What was a revelation to ME was what a huge cinephile Plath was. Like, going to 3 movies a day cinephile. So I decided to write about it: Sylvia Plath Goes to the Movies.
And, hey, check out my research. Yeah. It’s been a little intense and obsessive at Chez Sheila for the last 2 weeks.
What a great column!
Her letters have opened up so many lines of inquiry. Re-reading her with Bergman in mind… or The Passion of Joan of Arc.
Out of the ash
I rise with my red hair
And I eat men like air.
Joan rises and heads toward Rouen. And woe to those who try to stop her.
What an exciting new window, thanks for pointing it out!
Isn’t it amazing?? and yes – out of the ash I rise! (Incidentally, it’s also amazing to see how she “tilts” each letter for its recipient. For example: Gordon the boyfriend gets to hear about the breastfeeding – Mother most definitely is NOT told about that part. Reading all of this just humanizes SP so much. At last.)
I need to re-read her poems now – and look at them cinematically and see what shakes loose. May have to do a part 2. If anything else occurs to you let me know!
I know, she definitely “presented” to everyone. I read the letters in Volume 2 to Dr.Barnhouse, and maybe 30-40 here and there – but haven’t done a complete read.
Great article, Sheila. I am excited to learn all this.
Anne – I found it very exciting too! Thank you!