The Applicant Poem by Sylvia Plath

This poem is powerful when read; but even more powerful if you’ve ever heard a recording of Plath reading it herself. Her voice practically drips with venom.

im studying Plath for my a- levels and me and my cass are debating about who the applicant is i think its the man but my teacher thinks ita a women can anyone help!

i would imagine sylvia is speculating about her meeting ted for the first time while contemplating his reaction to being involved with syvia's past experience in the rehabilitative environment she lived for a while after her first suicide attempt. lovely poem perfectly composed as always she says exactly what she means.