Latest news with #Plath
Indian Express
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
The age of the fig tree: Why Sylvia Plath speaks to a generation paralysed by choice
Over 60 years have passed, and yet the haunting allure of Sylvia Plath's The Bell Jar has not dimmed one bit; if anything, it is seeing a renaissance among the younger generations grappling with the debilitating burden of choice. A passage from the novel, now widely known online as the fig tree metaphor, has become a rallying cry for Millennials and Gen Z, spreading rapidly on social media platforms such as Instagram and Pinterest. It is a symbol of the pervasive crisis of decision-making paralysis in a world saturated with opportunity. In the modern classic, published in 1963, Plath describes a fig tree whose branches each hold a fig, representing a different possible future: marriage, motherhood, literary success, academic prestige, adventure. As the protagonist, Esther Greenwood, a college student, reflects: 'I saw my life branching out before me like the green fig tree in the story. From the tip of every branch, like a fat purple fig, a wonderful future beckoned and winked.' In an age when the world is one our fingertips, for every road taken, their are hundreds of roads not taken. Choosing one future can mean closing the door on a dozen more. In such a case, an abundance of choice that should be liberating, becomes suffocating. 'One fig was a husband and a happy home and children, and another fig was a famous poet and another fig was a brilliant professor, and another fig was Ee Gee, the amazing editor, and another fig was Europe and Africa and South America, and another fig was Constantin and Socrates and Attila and a pack of other lovers with queer names and offbeat professions, and another fig was an Olympic lady crew champion, and beyond and above these figs were many more figs I couldn't quite make out,' she continues. The 20s are often framed as a time for making monumental decisions: careers, relationships, where to live. For Gen Z, who face a world overflowing with options, Plath's metaphor of decision paralysis has struck a deep chord, and has become the symbol of the melancholia of an entire generation. Terrified of making the wrong choice, Greenwood can only sit beneath the tree, unable to act, watching the figs fall: 'I saw myself sitting in the crotch of this fig tree, starving to death, just because I couldn't make up my mind which of the figs I would choose.' A post shared by michelle (@inksbymich) The reflection, written in the context of the 1950s, has found new resonance in an age defined by limitless possibility. Today, people in their 20s and 30s face an unprecedented abundance of options in all walks of life, whether career paths, cities, partners, and lifestyles. 'I wanted each and every one of them, but choosing one meant losing all the rest, and, as I sat there, unable to decide, the figs began to wrinkle and go black, and, one by one, they plopped to the ground at my feet.' Even seemingly trivial decisions such as how to spend a lunch break, which film to watch, what book to read become exhausting. The metaphor extends: the figs multiply, and they rot. The passage has been circulating widely online for years, often rediscovered and reposted with fervour in bursts. On Reddit, one user, shared: 'I found this excerpt from The Bell Jar today and it really nailed how I feel. The indecision makes me feel like the whole world is going by while I sit and ponder which life I want, and with all that wait, the 'figs' just rot.' 'I'm so haunted by this concept that I have chosen to believe … in a multiverse that contains an alternate universe where I make the opposite choice. I am probably too risk-averse and too afraid of hating my life to ever have a kid in this universe, but I like to think that in a different universe, I'm happily raising a great kid,' confessed another. On Instagram, users took to posting their own fig trees, with each fruit bearing a possible identity: bookstore owner, singer, writer, cottage dweller. On social media, the fig tree has become a visual metaphor, a personal inventory of dreams and possibilities. Compounding this is the social media–fuelled culture of comparison. Curated lives — seamless work–life balance, creative fulfilment, perfectly plated brunches — create a subtle pressure: to do more, choose faster, live fuller. The failure to keep up breeds a quiet sense of inadequacy. A post shared by The Fig Archives (@thefigarchives) This generation, often accused of indecision or delay, may instead be confronting the profound pressure to live multiple lives in one — to 'have it all'. There is a quiet sorrow in realising that to choose one life is to relinquish others. Some doors, once closed, may not open again. In her 1998 essay, The Mother, the Self, and the Other, scholar Yōko Sakane observes that Esther's indecision is shaped by her discomfort with traditional femininity and her refusal to identify with the women around her. Citing the fig tree passage, she wrote: 'Esther, being an intelligent college student 'with fifteen years of straight A's', could easily choose any of these figs, but she finds herself increasingly incapable of choosing even one. Her sense of loss reveals not only her 'neurotic' ambition of 'wanting two mutually exclusive things at one and the same time', but also a sense of alienation.' For many today, the metaphor hits home. As one online collective put it: 'We all desire to experience everything. Ironically, we can only afford to pick one to sustain our day-to-day lives… Will [our passions] just wrinkle, go black, and plop to the ground?' The Bell Jar endures not only for its portrayal of mental illness and feminist unrest, but for its brutally honest confrontation with the paralysis of potential. Plath's fig tree has become a generational emblem of phantom potentials, grief for roads not taken, uncertainty, longing, and the toll of standing still. (With inputs from Anosha Rishi Kakanadan)
The Advertiser
09-06-2025
- Sport
- The Advertiser
Plath knee injury takes Dolphins' pain to the max
The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job." The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job." The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job."
Perth Now
09-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Plath knee injury takes Dolphins' pain to the max
The decimated forward stocks of the Dolphins have grown, with fears that versatile star Max Plath has suffered a serious and potentially season-ending knee injury. The 23-year-old sustained a suspected ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the 56-6 win over St George Illawarra on his return from a foot injury. The Dolphins have booked Plath in to see a surgeon next week for a second opinion. ACL's can be partially torn and players, such as current Manly prop Matt Lodge, have played on with them. Dolphins coach Kristian Woolf said post-game the initial understanding was that Plath had sustained "a low-grade medial", but scans revealed a more serious problem. Often overlooked is the fact the currently seventh-placed Dolphins have been dealing with massive absences for their entire short history. They have been without star prop Thomas Flegler for more than a year with a shoulder nerve complaint, and captain Tom Gilbert is out of action with a ruptured pectoral until at least round 24 after missing a season and a half with a shoulder reconstruction and ACL rupture. Compounding their woes is the fact prop Daniel Saifiti, their best player through the opening eight rounds, will consult a specialist over a shoulder injury that was more severe than first thought. The injury to Plath is a huge blow after the tough and versatile forward won the Dolphins' player of the year in 2024. It is also the second ACL rupture of his career, after he suffered the same injury while playing for Wynnum Manly in 2020. Woolf was expecting tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone to return on Saturday night away against North Queensland from an AC joint injury. The Dolphins welcomed back hooker Jeremy Marshall-King from a thigh laceration against the Dragons after he had missed five games. Woolf said his players are not daunted by the injury crisis. "It's a real credit to (forwards) like Felise Kaufusi and Franky Molo, who has come in and been a great addition for us, and I was really happy for him," the coach said. "Guys like (utility) Kurt Donoghoe have just stepped up and really filled that void. Young (hooker) Harrison Graham has stepped in there and played some really good games of footy for us. "They work really hard. All those guys we're seeing get some opportunity and improve as footy players. "It probably has been overlooked a little bit, but it's not about who's not in the team, it's about who's on the field playing for us, and they're doing a great job."
West Australian
05-06-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
Perth Now
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Star duo return for Dolphins, but Stone ruled out
The Dolphins welcome back two key forwards as they take on St George Illawarra with the chance to enter the NRL top eight for the first time. Starting hooker Jeremy Marshall-King returns from a thigh laceration and infection that led to him spending time in hospital, while lock Max Plath is back from a foot injury and is likely to start on the bench in Friday night's clash at Suncorp Stadium. Tough-as-teak forward Ray Stone has bravely carried a shoulder injury into battle with the team down on troops, but he has been rested to give the issue more time to heal. Marshall-King suffered a deep gash to his leg in round six and took the field in round nine, but the wound became aggravated. "He's ready to go," coach Kristian Woolf said. "It's been a long time, but I don't think people realised how serious it was and how big the cut was. "It was just the seriousness of the infection as well. He did a couple of stints in hospital on the IV drip and getting it flushed out. "It's great to have him back. If you look at the last couple of years we haven't won a lot of games without Jeremy. "I've been happy with the group over the last couple of weeks because we've started to learn how to do that." Plath, last season's player of the year, injured a foot in round seven against Melbourne, which has also taken longer to heal than first thought. The 23-year-old was in the frame to make his Queensland debut in game one of the State of Origin series before injury struck. That would appear unlikely in the short term until he gets some footy under his belt, but Woolf said a Maroons jersey was within Plath's grasp. "(The injury) ended up being a lot more serious that we thought it was," the coach said. "He is coming into this having not done a hell of a lot until the last couple of weeks. "We're very confident in what he's going to be able to do for the team. He'll be on limited minutes. "I've got no doubt he's a guy that will feature in the Origin frame at some stage. "It's probably too early to be talking about that now. He needs to get a couple of games under his belt." The Dolphins lost their opening four matches of the season but have recovered well to be on 12 points, just two behind the Dragons, who are in the eight. "We're under no illusions at all," Woolf said. "I know guys like (centre) Moses Suli really well and how dangerous he is. He's a strike player on the edge. "(Second-rower) Luciano Leilua is the same. They have a physical pack and experience with guys like Clint Gutherson and Damien Cook. "They're as dangerous as any team in the comp and we have to bring our best game."
