Throughout this poem the theme of political corruption can be seen. This poem was written during the height of the socially, politically and materially self-satisfied era of President Eisenhower. Any challenges on the way things were was silenced quickly. Plath represents this in her poem with the metaphor'mayor rotisseries turns round of its own accord' symbolising how they were stuck in a cycle without much change.
Imagery:
In the second stanza of this poem Plath used 'fairytale' and 'the world of legends' imagery. 'Of riding against the lizard' is an example of this use of imagery, this line in particular Symbolising the workers/people who dared stand up and criticise risks demotion or worse and the lack of honour and courage, something that exists in the world of fairytales.
Language Feature: Irony, humour, metaphor
Irony
Is the use of words to express something opposite (or other than) the literal meaning. This can be seen in the first lines of the poem 'Unlucky the hero born' where she mentions how the so called heroes of her time who had no adventures to take place in the post-world war.
Metaphor
Use of metaphors in poems appeal to the imagination and increase the readers. understanding of a poem. Plath uses two in the first stanza of this poem. 'Stuck record' and 'mayor's rotisserie tums round of its own accord' both symbolise the lack of change and the unimproving cycle society have trapped in.
Humour
Plath used humour in all her writings, sometimes light and amusing, but more often black and biting. Her humour is seen in her use of wordplay. The second last line 'But the children are better for it' is a sarcastic remark, presents. her dissatisfaction with the current time however she feels it to be better period for the children of the time.
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