In Sylvia Plath's poem "Ariel," the speaker reflects on a profound desire to return to a lost connection or relationship. At the age of twenty, she experienced a deep sense of despair, leading her to contemplate death as a means of escape from her emotional turmoil. This yearning suggests that her bond with the subject of her longing is so essential that she believes even her physical remains could suffice to reconnect with them.
The lines evoke the intensity of her feelings, illustrating a struggle between life and death, and the pursuit of belonging. The imagery indicates that the depths of her despair are intertwined with a longing for love and understanding that feels unattainable. This emotional landscape showcases the complexities of her inner world, making it a powerful expression of loss and the hope for redemption.