When exploring potential topics, I discovered that Sylvia Plath had written a poem about one of my favorite paintings, The Dream by Henri Rousseau (1910). Upon researching further, I uncovered an academic gap; I noticed that critics focused on labeling Plath as a confessional poet, absorbed in her own thoughts and feelings. I could not find any scholarship discussing Plath’s poetry about paintings. My paper claims that through her ekphrastic poetry, Plath engages herself in a conversation with artists of the past, debunking the selfish, narcissistic label critics are so quick to throw at her.
MOLLY DOOMCHIN is a rising sophomore in Boston University’s College of Arts and Sciences, majoring in Art History. A lifelong New Yorker, Molly has always had a passion for paintings and someday hopes to become a curator. She also loves playing guitar and songwriting. She would like to thank Professor Jason Tandon for his guidance, patience, and kind words.