MIRROR

SYLVIA PLATH
This poem explores the relationship that we have with truth, and particularly the truth
about ourselves. The poem brings out the anxieties and confusion, which is the result of
ageing. No one wants to grow old. Human fails to understand that life is transitory and
ageing and death are unavoidable. They need to develop an objective outlook. The poem
is an example of personification. It is a devise of attributing human qualities or
personality to inanimate things. Examples of personifications are the mirror, candles and
the moon.

1. When the mirror says that it is ‘exact’ what does it mean?

2. How does the mirror ‘swallow’? What is the poetic device used here?
3. Why do the people find the mirror cruel?
4. Why is the mirror’s eyes compared to that of God’s?
5. What does the mirror meditate about?
6. Why do you think is the mirror compared to a lake? Mention the similarity
and dissimilarity between the two?
7. Why does the woman react with’ tears and agitation of the hands’?
8. Why does the woman start crying?
9. Why does the poet refer to the fish in the last line? Why does she describe it
as being ‘terrible’?
10. What does the mirror meditate on? Name the literary device.
11. What does ‘it is pink, with speckles’ suggest?
12. Why is it a part of his heart?
13. What traits of the mirror have been suggested here?
14. What is the woman bending over? Why?
15. What is she searching for?
16. Why have the candles and the moon been called ‘liars’?
17. Why is she back to the candles in spite of calling them ‘liars”?
18. Why does she reward with tears and an agitation of hands?
19. What is meant by ‘in me she has drowned a young girl’?
20. Why have the words ‘terrible fish’ been used?
21. How does the woman respond to the mirror?
22. Why does the woman turn to the lake?
23. What relationship does the poem explore?
24. Why does the woman turn her back on it in favour of ‘those liars, the candles
or the moon?
25. Why does the poet use the word ‘unmisted’?
26. What does the poet mean when he says that the mirror has no preconceptions?
27. Why has the mirror been described as a four-cornered God?

Lali Mathew M.A M.Ed. D.A.564 Sh Bagh 27492907 9810312549

 29 How does the mirror spend its time?
28. What is pink with speckle?
29. What disturbs its contemplation of the opposite wall?
30. What flickers and why?
31. Now I am a lake. Which poetic device is used here?
32. What is the woman searching for in the mirror?
33. Does she like her reflection? Give reasons for your answer?
34. What does she show by ‘the agitation of hands’?
35. What change does the woman find in her reflection?
36. Why does it claim to have no preconceptions?
37. Why has it been described as ‘unmisted’? What is the image it is trying to
convey about its nature?
38. How is the mirror not cruel but truthful?
39. How does her face replace the darkness?
40. What is it, which is pink with speckles?
41. What does ‘reflecting faithfully’ mean?
42. What does the poet mean when she says that the mirror has no
preconceptions?
43. How is the mirror unmisted by love or dislike?
44. In what way can the mirror be described as a lake?
45. What is the woman searching for and where?
46. How does woman behave before the mirror?
47. How has the wall become a part of the speaker?
48. How does the wall flicker?
49. What does she do each morning?
50. What replaces the darkness and how?
51. What does the poet mean when she says ‘she has drowned a young girl’?
52. How does the mirror get disturbed?
53. Imagine you are the Mirror. Write a speech that you would like to deliver to
the humans who come to see their reflections in your depths.
54. Give the theme of the poem in about 100 words.
55. What does the poem tell you about the nature of a woman?
56. Who is the speaker in the poem Mirror? In what ways does it speak only the
truth? Answer in the light of the poem?
57. When the old woman looks into the mirror, what are her thoughts and
feelings?
58. Imagine you are the Mirror. Express your feelings about the woman who not
satisfied with what she observes in you. Is her rejection justified?
59. What does the poet try to convey through her poem “Mirror”? Pick out any
two poetic devices, which have been used. Give any one example of a poetic
device that you particularly like and explain it.
60. The woman in the poem is searching for something in the depths of the
mirror. What is it? Your answer should not exceed 75 words.
 Your passion will define your limits………Strive for more.
61. The poem brings out the inevitability of ageing and death. How?
62. The mirror has no preconceived notions or prejudices. Justify this statement
quoting instances from the poem?
63. The mirror is hated for its truthfulness, but still one can’t do without it. Why?
64. After reading the poem one can say that the mirror performs its functions
objectively and dispassionately. How?