I. Warming up

(1) What is the article mainly about?

It’ s a story about childhood imagination taken from the writer’s short stories. It is full of descriptions of the school, her playmates and anecdotes.

(2) Why do you think the writer talks about Superman?

She might have been a huge Superman fan when she was young, and have a lot of good childhood memories associated with Superman.

(3) What role might Superman play in her childhood?

Superman might have been the writer’s hero and played an important role in her childhood.

II. Background

Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)

 Sylvia Plath was an American poet, novelist, short story writer, and essayist. Widely considered one of the major American poets of the 20th century, Plath is known for The Bell Jar , which describes her struggle with depression. She married the English poet, Ted Hughes, and they had two children, but their relationship was unhappy and she committed suicide.

Superman

Superman is an American fictional hero of comics, radio serials, TV programmes, films and video games. Superman is a newspaper reporter who has special abilities to fly and is fantastically strong. When he becomes Superman he changes into a special blue suit with a red cape and fights crime. Nobody knows who he really is,  but he always turns up in moments of danger. Superman has iconic status and has set a trend for other superheroes with extreme abilities and skills, e.g. Batman, Spiderman, Wonder woman etc.

III. Text analysis

1. Theme

What were Sylvia Plath’ s most important memories? Why did she enjoy the radio adventures of Superman? Do you think Sylvia Plath imagined she was a Superman herself? Do you think Sylvia Plath had a happy childhood?

2. Structure

3. Detailed Analysis

(1) Where did she live and what could she see from her bedroom window?

She lived on the bay side of town, on Johnson Avenue, and she could see the lights of Boston and Logan Airport from her bedroom window.

(2) What did the view make her want to do?

It made her want to fly in her dreams.

(3) Who appeared in her dreams?

Superman appeared and taught her to fly.

(4) Where did her friend and she play Superman? 

At the dingy back entrance to the school, an alcove in a long passageway.

(5) Why do you think they chose Sheldon to be the villain?

Because he was a mamma’ s boy and was left out of the other boys’ games.

(6) How did she feel about her Uncle Frank?

She admired him as she thought he bore an extraordinary resemblance to Superman incognito.

IV. Reinforcement:

Discussion

(1)   As a child, which dreams, sights, sounds and feelings did you share with Sylvia Plath? Do you still have them now? 

(2)   Do you think Sylvia Plath imagined she was a Superman herself?

(3)   Who in the passage do you think is the most important real-life person to her? Can you add to her description of them? What did they really look like? 

(4)   Do you think Sylvia Plath had a happy childhood? How different do you think her adult life was?