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What 2 poems can we compare to see the difference in Sylvia Plath's style of writing throughout time?

a) "Lady Lazarus" and "The Bell Jar"
b) "Daddy" and "Mirror"
c) "The Colossus" and "Tulips"
d) "Ariel" and "Morning Song"

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Final answer:

To see the difference in Sylvia Plath's writing style over time, the poems 'Daddy' and 'Mirror' can be contrasted, highlighting her evolution from using external forms to directly expressing personal emotion and psyche.

The Correct Option is; b) "Daddy" and "Mirror".

Step-by-step explanation:

To compare the differences in Sylvia Plath's style of writing over time, two poems that reflect these changes well are "Daddy" and "Mirror".

These poems can be contrasted to see how Plath's imagery, themes, and poetic voice evolved throughout her career. In "Daddy", Plath employs harsh Nazi imagery to convey her struggle against paternalistic domination and to express a desperate desire to forge her own identity. In contrast, "Mirror" explores themes of self-reflection and the truth of one's own image with stark, straightforward language and symbolisms.

Both poems exhibit the characteristics of Plath's later work in the confessional style, where subjectivity and personal trauma take center stage.

The titles of these poems also hint at their themes and how Plath engages with the history of elegy and personal expression. "Daddy" straightforwardly signifies the subject of the poem - the speaker's father and the complex feelings surrounding this relationship.

The title "Mirror", on the other hand, symbolizes introspection and truth, as mirrors reflect back an unaltered image. Observing the differences in Plath's writing, particularly in these two poems, provides insight into her development as a confessional poet, as she moved from external poetic forms and conventions to a focus on raw, personal emotion and the exploration of her psyche.

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