In the poem "Your shelled bed I remember," Sylvia Plath reflects on memories that evoke a sense of longing and nostalgia. The imagery of a "shelled bed" suggests a protective yet confining space, while the word "remember" indicates a deep emotional connection to the past. This signifies how memories can be both comforting and suffocating, highlighting the complexity of human experiences and relationships.
Plath expresses her distress through the line "Father, this thick air is murderous," which conveys a heavy atmosphere that feels overwhelming. The desire to "breathe water" indicates a yearning for escape or relief from suffocating circumstances. This duality of longing and despair encapsulates the emotional weight that Plath often explores in her work, making her poetry resonate with those who have experienced similar struggles.