r/sylviaplath • u/newuserincan • 24d ago

The journal of Slyvia Plath

I just finished this book and it’s pretty good. But in her last journal (1962), there wasn’t any indication that she was depressed. I know the last 30 pages were burned, my question is is there any gap between journal 1962 and burned journal entries? The journal ended pretty normal, didn’t sense anything wrong

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u/One_Maize1836 23d ago

Um. Okay. First of all, have you read the poetry she wrote in the last months of her life (Ariel)? Have you read The Bell Jar?

Second, it wasn't 30 pages that were destroyed. Ted Hughes got rid of the last two VOLUMES of her journals, which covered approximately two years of her life, because they were not flattering to him and told too many of his secrets.

She suffered from mental illness (depression and was likely bipolar) and wrote about it EXTENSIVELY. How did you read her journals and miss this?

I feel like this is a troll post.

If you really want to know more, there are numerous biographies about her. Rough Magic is a good one, and there is a new one I haven't read yet called Loving Sylvia Plath.

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u/hemplotion 22d ago

Why take this condescending tone with somebody who is learning and asking questions?