Sylvia Plath's poem "Ariel" explores themes of rebirth and transformation. In the quoted lines, the speaker expresses a desire to shed their past, symbolized by "old bandages" and "boredoms." The act of stepping from the "black car of Lethe," a river associated with forgetfulness, suggests a release from previous pain and an embrace of purity and new beginnings.
The imagery of becoming "pure as a baby" evokes innocence and a fresh start, indicating a longing to escape the weight of past experiences. This transformation is not just a physical change, but a deep emotional and psychological renewal, reflecting Plath's intricate relationship with identity and self-discovery throughout the poem.