I have never read more than a paragraph Sylvia Plath wrote. I know. I was busy going to church five times a week as a teenager, and I didn’t want to hear anything about depression, which was at the time in my mind synonymous with “sadness.” (Instead of its current synonym, “bat-shit craziness.” You know, now that I’ve visited the dark alien place myself.)
So I was sad to hear today that her son committed suicide. It happened last week and was only reported today by his sister, who I hope is already on extra strength anti-depressants.
When I got in the car today and told Gary Sylvia Plath’s son had died, Gary’s reaction was the same as when I told the numbered friends Spalding Grey had died. “Who?”
9 responses to “Sad News”
I recommend renting “Sylvia” starring Gweneth Paltrow and Daniel Craig (from Netflix). That really left me wanting to know more since they could only gloss over the “highlights” in 2 hours.Which, I just watched Sunday night.
I’ve always kind of thought that Sylvia Plath believed that someone would find her before she died. Whether or not I’m right, no one can know.
Spalding Grey saddened me.
I read a quote somewhere that “suicide occurs when the ability to cope with pain is overridden.” You just want the excruciating pain to stop.
Ever sensitive, whenever I hear someone has committed suicide, either think, what terrible pain that person must have been or what a moron.
I’m sorry Sylvia Plath’s son killed himself. I do not think he was a moron.
My thought upon reading that Sylvia Plath’s son had committed suicide was also sadness, but not because of his death (I didn’t even know he existed) but because of the familial cycle of mental illness that couldn’t be broken. (Spalding Gray’s mother committed suicide, too).
I was in Rockwell Gray’s “Non-Fiction Writing” class Spring Semester 2004 — when class had started, Spalding was disappeared but not yet found. I’d had R. Gray the year before for the same class (I’d had to drop because I broke my leg) and I noted the differences in him between semesters, without realizing that he was Spalding Gray’s brother (once noted, his current disposition was obviously explained). I’d like to say that I dropped the class again because I couldn’t handle the sadness, but the truth of the matter is I was lazy.
When my dad killed himself and I refused to go to the funeral, my brother’s immediate reaction was that I HAD to go because someday the guilt would get the better of me and I might get suicidal as well. 10 years later, I’m still OK. But I think he still keeps an eye on me. Which probably makes sense. Out of our 3 siblings, I’m the one most likely to have the crazy gene. Or at least do something about it. Thus far, no signs exhibited.
This is sad. hmm…Maybe you can add a couple of side dishes to the lobster slaughter? To celebrate those authors?Hmm, for Slyvia Plath and her son, hmm. I do believe a nice cake served on a glass cake server, the kind with a bottom and round bell shaped top. This would be serving a cake, under a bell jar of sorts. The cake should be red velvet some other berry/red kind of cake. After all, this is suicide we are talking about. It’s best to acknowledge these things up front. For the author Spalding Gray, unfortunately, I have not had the pleasure of knowing about him. Why don’t you do a post about him, if his writings meant something to you. Then I can better arrange a side dish. This is of course, if you wish to further the dinner celebration de morte.Take care:)Mrs. Hall
I’m still not over Spalding Gray.
It was freaky. I just watched Sylvia with 0.75 Sunday night and the news was released Monday.It is sad that people can’t see the genetic cycle (or the psychological cycle) for what it is though.Been there, didn’t do it – it smelled funny.
.75 – I think I’d want to read her letters first. Sounds like her husband was a piece of work. His second wife gassed herself too, this time with the kids, I hear.Tami – Wikipeia said the reasons why it was in debate. Perhaps she wanted someone to find her so the kids didn’t, maybe.Becs – I used to think it was the terrible pain, now I thinks it’s the voice that tells you that you should.Christy – Spalding Gray was at Duffs once when I was there, that’s when I heard about his brother living here. How awful, losing his mother and brother that way.Crystal – I’m glad you have someone looking out for you. I neevr thougt it would happen to me and at the time I had no idea what was going on. I didnt even have that “I must be going crazy” thought. So, keep checking with your brother.Mrs Hall – Spalding Gray is best known for his monolgues. Rent Swimming to Cambodia. Though the Bell Jar cake is ideal, I cant share Moms celebration. Slyvia’s kids wll have to do the cake.Kristie – I know. And he actually had unendurable pain, a rational reason to augment his genetic irrational suicidal reasons.Hot Mom – SO sad especially when people have the rational emotional pain and the irrational genetic pain on top of it.