The line reflects a struggle with identity and the experience of overcoming despair. It conveys a sense of resilience, suggesting that although the speaker felt metaphorically dead at one point, they have emerged alive and aware. The imagery of being "like a stone" indicates a state of emotional numbness, highlighting the difficulty of articulating personal transformation.

This quote underscores the tension between past suffering and current existence. The contrast between the dead and the living points to a profound internal change. Plath's words illustrate the complexities of expressing personal evolution, especially when it involves overcoming deep emotional pain.