Betwixt The Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society

The Real Sylvia Plath

Nov 8, 2024

Emily van Dyne, author of "Loving Sylvia Plath: A Reclamation," sheds light on the intricate life of Sylvia Plath. They discuss Plath's tumultuous relationship with Ted Hughes, exploring themes of love, betrayal, and emotional struggles. The impact of her father's death and cultural background on her work is also examined. Van Dyne challenges common misconceptions about Plath and highlights her journey toward liberation through writing, emphasizing her desire to be remembered for her literary genius beyond her tragic end.

58:08

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Episode guests

Emily van Dyne

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores Sylvia Plath's complex relationship with Ted Hughes, highlighting their passionate yet tumultuous bond and its influence on her work.

Emily Van Dyne emphasizes the importance of reclaiming Sylvia Plath's narrative to recognize her as a significant and mature writer beyond her tragic myth.

Sensitive themes such as suicide are candidly discussed, creating an open dialogue about these emotional topics while acknowledging their impact on Plath's life.

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Intro

2min

The Complexity of Sylvia Plath

19min

Sylvia Plath: Father, Loss, and Legacy

8min

Gratitude and Connectivity

4min

The Troubled Love of Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes

13min

Sylvia Plath: Love, Loss, and Liberation

6min

Sylvia Plath's Final Struggles

11min

Reclaiming Sylvia Plath: A Discussion on Interpretation and Impact

2min

** TW: This episode contains themes of suicide **

Sylvia Plath was one of the most influential writers of the 20th century.

During and since she died, she became known for her volatile relationship with fellow poet, Ted Hughes, as much as her own beautiful, confessional writing.

What was Sylvia Plath like as a woman? What drew her and Ted Hughes to each other? And how did sex and sexuality influence her personality and writing?

Joining Kate today is Emily van Dyne, author of Loving Sylvia Plath: A Reclamation, to dispel some of the myths and help us get to know this remarkable woman.

This podcast was edited by Tom Delargy. The producer was Stuart Beckwith. The senior producer was Charlotte Long.

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