I know why Sylvia Plath committed suicide on 11th February 1963.
It's a reason that has probably been well versed in the intervening years, since Plath's suicide but I don't recall hearing of it before. It never occurred to me until yesterday, when I was discussing Plath and Hughes with some year 10 students.
It also helps that BBC R4 had recently broadcast readings of Plath's letters.
Anyway, I was home alone, washing up, of all things, when it suddenly dawned on (isn't it odd how the mind works?), of course!
Plath committed suicide because she realised that her relationship with Ted Hughes was over for good. There would be no reunion. Consequently there would be a divorce.
Given Plath's mental history, not to mention her tell all autobiographical novel, which she'd written when feeling secure, loved, happy, would now be used against her re. her moral character.
There was no way she could take back the novel, even though it was not yet in the shops.
Everyone would know its contents.
Everyone would make judgements against her - based on the book.
Which would be fine if she was still feeling secure, loved, happy. But how would it be now that she was feeling rejected, a failure, insecure, desperate, fearful,alone, isolated, alienated?
That hard winter, with the endless snow can't have helped.
Poor Sylvia.
