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Why should you read Sylvia Plath? - Iseult Gillespie

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Under her shrewd eye and pen, Sylvia Plath turned everyday objects into haunting images: a “new statue in a drafty museum,” a shadow in a mirror, a slab of soap. Her breathtaking perspectives and unflinching language made her a touchstone for readers seeking to break the silence around issues of trauma, frustration and sexuality. Iseult Gillespie shares why Plath's writing continues to captivate.

The famous fig tree scene from The Bell Jar describes, in metaphoric terms:

About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Iseult Gillespie
  • Director Sarah Saidan
  • Narrator Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Animator Alexis Godard, Lisa Di Giovanni
  • Compositor Antoine Presles
  • Music Stephen LaRosa
  • Director of Production Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Associate Editorial Producer Elizabeth Cox
  • Associate Producer Bethany Cutmore-Scott
  • Fact-Checker Francisco Diez

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