Crossing The Water - Plath

Question 1

Typology of crossing water

Answer 1

Liminal state of one thing and another
Rivers in classical underworld

Question 2

What kind of poem is this

Answer 2

Transitional - metaphor for embarking on a journey

Question 3

“Black lake, black boat, two black, cut-paper people”

Answer 3

Plosive alliteration - bleakness
Repetition of black, darkness, death, moving towards death in the distance

Question 4

“Water flowers” “Stars open among the lilies”

Answer 4

Ophelia died in water
Florilegium of lilies - associated with mourning
Death wish
- reflections in lilies suggest dimensions (sky and earth) become one - sense of implosion

Question 5

“A Snag is lifting a veldictory, pale hand;”