Ariel

Question 1

Who wrote Ariel

Answer 1

Sylvia Plath

Question 2

When was Ariel published and in what collection

Answer 2

wrote 1962 and published posthumously in 1965 apart of Ariel collection

Question 3

What are the themes of Ariel

Answer 3

Fear
Change
Optimism

Question 4

What is the tone of Ariel

Answer 4

Harsh

Question 5

What is the structure and form of Ariel

Answer 5

Consonance 
Assonance 'heels knees'
Tercets
Free verse 
Iambic dimeter/ trimeter

Question 6

Quick overview of Ariel

Answer 6

Sylvia Plath describes the terror of a wild horseback ride and the mental and emotional transformation that the rider goes through as she faces death

Shedding inner burdens through liberating ride, this is a metaphor for writing, female empowerment or physical instability

Question 7

Quick Language techniques used in Ariel

Answer 7

Horse Symbolises huge power of instinct that transforms ride, horse and landscape into a trinity

Title is an allusion to the air-spirit Ariel from shakespeare’s ‘the tempest’ that strengthens speakers point that giving into ones natural instincts is liberating

“Substances Blue” the imagery of geological formations parallels a moment in the poets consciousness and reveals the vastness of the area that she travels through

“hooks-“ Enjambment, rushed feeling/horse out of control

“Godiva” Compares herself to historical figure from 11th century that saved her people by proving her devotion to husband through riding naked

“dead hands” metaphor, peeling from old self and gender roles

Question 8

Context of Ariel

Answer 8

Wrote on 30th birthday
Her house she use to ride in Devon was called ‘Ariel’
Hughes stated “she went riding with a friend, Her horse bolted, the stirrups fell off and she came all the way home to the stables about 2 miles at full gallop hanging onto the horses neck