…* to know a lot of people I love pieces of, and to want to synthesize those pieces in me somehow, be it by painting or writing. * to know that millions of others are unhappy and that life is a gentleman's agreement to grin and paint your face gay so others will feel they are silly to be unhappy, and try to catch the contagion of joy, while inside so many are dying of bitterness and unfulfillment…
Sylvia Plath expresses her desire to connect with others through her creative works, feeling a deep need to incorporate the influence of those she admires. Whether through painting or writing, she seeks to synthesize their qualities within herself, showcasing her longing for understanding and emotional connection with the world around her.
At the same time, Plath poignantly reflects on the facade that many people maintain, where an outward display of happiness masks deeper feelings of unhappiness and dissatisfaction. She observes that society often encourages individuals to present a cheerful exterior, which can belittle genuine feelings of sorrow and unfulfillment. This tension between external joy and internal despair resonates in her writing, revealing the complexity of human emotions.
