
I used to be 17 after I first learn “The Fig Tree” by Sylvia Plath. I used to be nearly to graduate faculty and start my life. My thoughts was overflowing with concepts, international locations, and careers I needed to pursue. However the overwhelm of selecting hadn’t but kicked in.
I used to be spinning round in prospects, like a giddy little one on Christmas day inspecting unopened presents.
After which I learn this poem. And I ended spinning. I sat down and skim it once more. And once more.
I had by no means heard of Sylvia Plath earlier than. How might she have written such a relatable story?
The muscle mass on my shoulders tensed as I spotted that I might certainly have to decide on one thing. In the future.
“I noticed my life branching out earlier than me just like the inexperienced fig tree within the story.
“From the tip of each department, like a fats purple fig, a beautiful future beckoned and winked. One fig was a husband and a cheerful residence and youngsters, and one other fig was a well-known poet, and one other fig was a superb professor, and one other fig was Ee Gee, the superb editor, and one other fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and one other fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of different lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and one other fig was an Olympic girl crew champion, and past and above these figs had been many extra figs I couldn’t fairly make out.
“I noticed myself sitting within the crotch of this fig tree, ravenous to loss of life, simply because I couldn’t make up my thoughts which of the figs I might select. I needed each one among them, however selecting one meant shedding all the remainder, and as I sat there, unable to resolve, the figs started to wrinkle and go black, and, one after the other, they plopped to the bottom at my ft.” ― Sylvia Plath, The Bell Jar
What “The Fig Tree” by Sylvia Plath taught me:
At my commencement interview, I needed to create a slideshow of my “plans” for the following six months. I made a dozen or so slides with pictures of my goals. Engaged on a lavender area in France. Crusing within the Mediterranean. Instructing English in Mongolia. Reindeer herding in Sweden.
My trainer and principal checked out me blankly, unenthused, as my presentation didn’t contain additional schooling plans, a level, or a job. I felt extra ceremony in studying this poem than graduating highschool. It taught me greater than any textbook.
It taught me the significance of selecting one thing.
It’s an absolute privilege to have decisions in life. However having too many choices could make us really feel overwhelmed.
My mom at all times needed to be an artist when she grew up. However within the Nineteen Seventies, it felt like the one choice for her was to turn out to be a nurse or a trainer, so she turned a trainer. These days, most of us have extra choices than we are able to fathom. However this poem jogs my memory of the significance of selecting one thing. Something.
We should keep away from falling into the entice of indecision. The thought of drifting via life with out selecting any fig in any respect sounds reckless. And there’s a good steadiness between being too cautious and overly careless.
On her deathbed, my ex-mother-in-law held my hand and whispered two shaky phrases to me. The very last thing she ever stated to me within the little English she knew was, “Watch out.” I interpreted this as “be full of care.” I wish to stroll via life realizing it is very important make decisions with care, not carelessness.
Any of the figs would have been the best selection.
After I first learn this poem, I felt intrigued by Sylvia’s figs on her tree. I, too, am fascinated with modifying, writing, touring, and having youngsters sooner or later. Certainly one of my takeaways is that any of the figs would have been the best selection.
It’s the concept all the things is supposed to be. And selecting one thing is healthier than watching all of the figs overripen and drop to the bottom.
This poem is wistful as a result of it portrays there isn’t a lot time to decide on a fig. However fortunately, for many of us, we do have time.
However there’s a steadiness to this. For the previous 9 years, I’ve been choosing specific figs, biting into them, and seeing how they style. I then both place them into my pocket for good preserving or toss them again to the Earth. I’m at some extent now the place I agree with the saying that life is brief. I do want to decide on a fig and comply with via with it.
I wish to imagine the teachings within the poem wholeheartedly. If I believe all the things is supposed to be, then whichever selection and fig I select would be the proper one.
How you can discover your figs:
After submerging myself into the depths of this poem, I drew a fig tree. I then coloured the figs purple and wrote a dream beside each.
- A journalist for Nationwide Geographic
- Knowledgeable singer in a folks band
- An actor
- A parks ranger
- An artist
- A mom
- An archaeologist
- A author
I then tried to hint again my earliest reminiscence of whichever fig I loved essentially the most. What did I really like essentially the most as a toddler? Which fig grew first? Mine had been writing and artwork. In order that’s a clue, isn’t it?
In the future I’ll select one. Or two. Or perhaps I can mix the figs collectively and make a stunning syrup. I don’t know.
However I learn “The Fig Tree” each time I want a poetic pep-talk. And I permit this poem to proceed to hang-out me. I hope it by no means leaves my facet.
Thanks, Sylvia Plath.
Elin Dieme is an award-winning author, actor, and artist. She has articles featured on Medium, GoHaidaGwaii, and YourTango.
This text was initially revealed at Medium. Reprinted with permission from the writer.