Sylvia Plath’s “Daddy” as a Voice Against Patriarchy: A Critical Commentary
“Daddy” by Sylvia Plath is one of the most controversial and powerful poems of the 20th century. Written shortly before her death in 1963, the poem is a harrowing account of personal trauma, loss, and repression. Though it appears deeply personal—particularly in its references to Plath’s father—it is also widely interpreted as a scathing critique of patriarchal structures. Plath uses intense imagery and psychological metaphors to represent the oppressive power of men and the speaker’s long struggle for liberation. Thus, “Daddy” can certainly be read as an expression against the voice of patriarchy.
Overview of the Poem
“Daddy” is a confessional poem composed in free verse. It takes the form of an emotional monologue, where the speaker addresses her deceased father. However, the father in the poem symbolizes more than just a personal loss; he comes to represent authority, control, and male dominance. The speaker reflects on the impact of her father’s authoritarian presence and her attempt to break free from its lingering shadow.
Symbolism of the Father Figure
Plath’s father is portrayed as a dominating, almost fascist figure. She compares him to a Nazi and herself to a Jew—powerful and disturbing imagery that conveys victimhood, fear, and psychological imprisonment. Lines such as:
“I have always been scared of you,
With your Luftwaffe, your gobbledygoo.”
highlight the militaristic and totalitarian symbolism that she attaches to paternal authority. The father becomes a metaphor for all male dominance in a patriarchal world.
Critique of Patriarchal Control
The poem doesn’t limit its critique to the personal relationship between father and daughter. It evolves into a broader rebellion against male dominance, societal expectations, and traditional gender roles. Plath’s speaker refuses to continue worshipping the father figure who has suppressed her identity. She proclaims:
“Daddy, daddy, you bastard, I’m through.”
This final line marks an emphatic severance—a refusal to be controlled, silenced, or defined by the patriarchy. It can be read as a feminist assertion of agency, showing a woman who has suffered but finally decides to liberate herself from psychological subjugation.
Feminist Interpretations
From a feminist critical perspective, “Daddy” is a radical poem. It articulates the anger, pain, and resistance of a woman who has been emotionally and intellectually constrained by male-dominated structures. Plath’s metaphors—ranging from oppressive boots to vampire husbands—paint a terrifying picture of how women are silenced and consumed by male authority.
Critics like Elaine Showalter and Sandra Gilbert have praised Plath for giving voice to female rage. The poem shatters the myth of the silent, grieving daughter and replaces it with a voice that is confrontational, angry, and determined to sever patriarchal ties.
Psychological Depth
Though the poem expresses rage, it also captures the complexity of the speaker’s psychological state. There is a tension between hate and longing, fear and admiration. The line:
“I used to pray to recover you.”
suggests a deep internal conflict. The speaker resents the father’s dominance but also craves his approval. This emotional ambivalence enriches the poem’s impact and makes the critique of patriarchy more nuanced—it shows how deeply ingrained these structures are in the psyche.
Use of Violent and Historical Imagery
Plath’s references to Nazis, Jews, and vampires are intentionally provocative. They are not meant to trivialize history but to emphasize the cruelty and psychological violence of patriarchal oppression. By likening male authority to totalitarian regimes and blood-sucking monsters, she elevates personal trauma to universal protest.
Conclusion
“Daddy” is not just a poem about Sylvia Plath’s father—it is a powerful protest against patriarchy and the emotional bondage it inflicts. Through visceral imagery, confessional tone, and symbolic language, Plath channels both personal pain and collective female suffering. The poem’s explosive final lines represent a reclaiming of voice and autonomy. Therefore, it is entirely valid to consider “Daddy” an expression against the voice of patriarchy—one that continues to resonate in feminist and literary discourse worldwide.