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By Sara Swallow In this interview, I asked Patricia ("Trish") Grisafi, a PhD, former English professor, and an admirer (and scholar) of Sylvia Plath, all about her interests in Plath and what inspired her to write a whole book about her. Grisafi’s book, Breaking Down Plath, is a must-have guide for middle and high school students, and a worthy investment for non-students who want to learn more about what Plath’s poems are about and what her poetry reveals. Go and check out her new book, Breaking Down Plath to learn more, but first, get a few insights from the author herself: Why Plath? What made you want to investigate her life? I started reading Plath's poetry when I was twelve and was really struck by how her words affected me. For the first time, I felt seen. I read everything else she wrote and turned my attention towards studying her seriously in college. I worked on Plath in graduate school, and my PhD thesis featured a chapter on her work. She was such a talented woman—multi-faceted and ambitious, really insightful and funny. I was interested in the contradictions of her life, how a 1950s “golden girl” could have such rage. What drew you to Plath’s poetry? Do you have a favorite poem? I remember reading in some rock magazine or somewhere that Courtney Love and Kat Bjelland liked Plath. I liked their lyrics, so I started reading Plath. Her use of language just astonished me. My favorite poems are always changing. That being said, a few favorites: “Morning Song,” “Lady Lazarus,” “Tulips,” “In Plaster,” “Elm.” Really, I could go on! They’re all great.
they’re having so many first-time emotions and experiences. I thought of what I would have liked to read about Plath in high school. I felt like my high school hid Plath from us, like she was too much. This was in the '90s. Things are different now, obviously. From your research thus far, what is the most interesting or surprising thing you’ve learned about Plath?
Just how industrious she was. She knew how to cook, garden, tend to bees, teach, manage her and her husband’s careers, paint furniture, fix a boiler. She knew a little bit of everything. She threw herself into all her endeavors and was an incredibly hard worker. If you could sit with Plath and have dinner, what would you like to talk about? I tend to never want to meet people I admire so I don’t break the illusion! I’m not even sure we would get along! But let’s say we did. I’d love to talk about her writing process. How she finds inspiration, makes her word choices and line breaks. I’d love to talk about our kids, compare notes on dealing with temper tantrums or boundary pushing. Mom talk. And, as someone who has also been hospitalized for mental health issues, I would want to ask about her experiences as a person affected by mental illness. Are there any future plans for once your research is completed on Plath? I don’t have any book projects lined up currently, but I would eventually love to write an essay collection, maybe include an essay about Plath. Find out more and pre-order the book here.
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