The word “passion” comes from the Latin root passio, which means to suffer or endure. This beautifully implies that as love and passion grow, vulnerability and subsequent pain follow suit. This is best exemplified by thinking of passion as a fire; as it grows to something worth experiencing, something has to burn. Very few truly exhibit this kind of burning passion; however, we are lucky to be able to look up to Sylvia Plath as a glowing example.
Sylvia Plath is one of America’s greatest writers, gifting the world with her novels and poetry. Her writings carry a voice of rebellion and angst, as they represent a woman scorned with depression. Plath has been the voice of society’s darkest thoughts and treatment of others, and she implemented it deep into our literary canon.
Her Impact
Plath had mental illness throughout her life, leading her to voice all of these thoughts in her writing. Her experiences in life have sparked people’s minds in ways you could never begin to describe. She makes people question things that most people wouldn’t dare to ask. These topics include how society demeans women, especially those in writing; depression and suicide; and explorations in mental illness.
Throughout this, her writing has helped the world grow in these subjects. Her impact is far more profound than just literature. Plath takes hold of the minds of her readers, pulling the reins to guide them to make the changes we all want to see in this world. Her writing inspires us to be better and discuss mental health and other uncomfortable topics.
Why You Should Read Sylvia Plath
From her tight grasp on literature to her breaking the stigma on mental health, her writing impacts us all. She voices the pains and struggles that so much of our world deals with, helping us grow in our understanding of ourselves and our empathy for others.
Even if her themes don’t apply to your life, they can easily apply to those of your friends and family. In 2023, a Gallup poll found that 29% of adults deal with depression. Through Sylvia Plath’s work, people who don’t know what that’s like can learn how they can help and grow as friends or people.
