Publisher Description

The controversies that surround Sylvia Plath's life and work mean that her poems are more read and studied now than ever before. This Companion provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of Sylvia Plath's poetry, prose, letters and journals and of their place in twentieth-century culture. These essays by leading international scholars represent a spectrum of critical perspectives. They pay particular attention to key debates and to well-known texts such as Ariel and the The Bell Jar, while offering thought-provoking readings to new as well as more experienced Plath readers. The Companion also discusses three additions to the field: Ted Hughes's Birthday Letters, Plath's complete Journals and the 'Restored' edition of Ariel. With its invaluable guide to further reading and chronology of Plath's life and work, this Companion will help students and scholars understand and enjoy Plath's work and its continuing relevance.

Author Biography

Jo Gill is Lecturer in American Literature at Bath Spa University College.

Table of Contents

Notes on contributors; Preface; Acknowledgements; List of abbreviations and textual note; Chronology of Plath's life and work; Part I. Contexts and Issues: 1. The problem of biography Susan R. van Dyne; 2. Plath, history and politics Deborah Nelson; 3. Plath and psychoanalysis: uncertain truths Lynda K. Bundtzen; 4. Plath and contemporary American poetry Linda Wagner-Martin; 5. Plath and contemporary British poetry Alice Entwistle; Part II. Works: 6. The poetry of Sylvia Plath Steven Gould Axelrod; 7. The Colossus and Crossing the Water Jo Gill; 8. Ariel and other poems Christina Britzolakis; 9. The Bell Jar and other prose Janet Badia; 10. Sylvia Plath's letters and journals Tracy Brain; 11. The poetry of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes: call and response Diane Middlebrook; Selected reading; Index.

Promotional

An authoritative guide to Plath's work, her importance to contemporary literature and culture, and the controversies that surround her.

Long Description

The controversies that surround Sylvia Plath's life and work imply that her poems are more read and studied now than ever before. This Companion provides a comprehensive and authoritative overview of the place in twentieth-century culture of Sylvia Plath's poetry, prose, letters and journals. The newly commissioned essays by leading international scholars represent a spectrum of critical perspectives. They pay particular attention to key debates and to well-known texts such as The Bell Jar, while offering original and thought-provoking readings to new as well as more seasoned Plath readers.

Promotional "Headline"

An authoritative guide to Plath's work, her importance to contemporary literature and culture, and the controversies that surround her.

Description for Bookstore

The controversies that surround Sylvia Plath's life and work mean that her poems are more read and studied now than ever before. With its invaluable guide to further reading and chronology of Plath's career, this Companion will help students and scholars understand and enjoy Plath's work and its continuing relevance.

Description for Library

The controversies that surround Sylvia Plath's life and work mean that her poems are more read and studied now than ever before. With its invaluable guide to further reading and chronology of Plath's career, this Companion will help students and scholars understand and enjoy Plath's work and its continuing relevance.

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