Ekphrasis in Sylvia Plath’s Poem “Yadwigha, on a Red Couch, among Lilies”

Abstract

The article provides an analysis of ekphrasis in the poem "Yadwigha, on a Red Couch, among Lilies" by the American poet and writer Sylvia Plath. In the poem, inspired by Henri Rousseau's painting «The Dream», ekphrasis is revealed in the detailed description of the picture, precise transfer into the text of the painting’s imagery and colours. At the same time, emotions, individual perception and accents, characteristic of the poetess’ creative consciousness, are introduced into the detailed description of the painting. The poem is a traditional text for Plath, where the richness of visual images is closely intertwined with personal reflections and experiences.