The Letters of Sylvia Plath Volume 1 Read online

  Lots of love,

  Sylvia

 

  TO Aurelia Greenwood Schober & Frank Schober

  Tuesday 9 July 1946

  ALS on Wellesley, Mass. letterhead,

  Indiana University

  Tuesday, July 9

  Dear Dear Grammy and Grampy,

  In case I have not already told you, I was really very happy to get your nice letters all in one. I have already written a card to Frank and Louise. I have been having quite a time with my cold, on Saturday and Sunday. Sunday night we were supposed to go with our unit to sleep on the beach in preparation for our overnight hike the next week. I slept alone in the unit with another girl who couldn’t sleep out. We slept soundly from nine to seven o’clock. I was so glad that I didn’t go out, for when the girls came back they said they had been very cold and had no more than five hours sleep! I had woken up in my cosy cabin feeling wonderful, my cold all gone, whereupon it would have been worse.

  Yesterday, “Frenchie”, our art teacher, took eight girls on a two hour sketching trip. We stopped opposite the sweetest little house and sat down to sketch it. I thought that I would probably be inexperienced compared to the others, for they looked professional. When I had almost finished my drawing with pencil, Frenchie asked to see it. To my surprise I only liked one as well as mine. When Frenchie asked if I took art lessons, and I said no, she seemed rather angry and told me that I should “lap up all the instruction I can get.” I really hope that I can take art lessons next year.

  Last night we took the boats and rowed across the lake to have supper. The distance was one mile, and I rowed one of the boats going over. We sat on the sandy beach and had cheese sandwiches (two) tomatoes (three, we’re only supposed to have one) carrots crackers, and six cups of milk. We really have quite good food, only we aren’t allowed to fill up on bread and potatoes, which I try to do.

  Just now Betsy and I are preparing for the masquerade tonight. We are going as mother and daughter of the 1890’s. I am wearing a stiff white gathered mosquito netting skirt, a long sleeved black blouse, mosquito netting also, a white top, and my hair up with a flower in it. Betsy is wearing a short white shirt and a long skirt, her hair in braids. I do hope we get one of the prizes.

 

  Just at this moment we were interrupted by mail call. I was so pleased to get a nice card from you. It’s very sweet of you to take time out to write.

  I wrote a nice long letter to mother on Star Island, but did not address it to the Oceanic Hotel, so I don’t know if it ever got there. I also have received my jersey and sheet, thanks loads. The weather here has not been really hot as yet. This one week has whizzed by so quickly, I don’t know where all my time goes.

  I am always plenty warm enough. So far I have gotten mail every day. I’m so happy you and Grammy are taking it easy – you certainly deserve that, and more. I, also am having a lovely time. The water is really wonderful, too.

  I will write as soon as I have another spare moment,

  Lots of love,

  Sylvia

 

  TO Aurelia Schober Plath

  Tuesday 9 July 1946

  ALS with envelope,

  Indiana University

  Tuesday, July 9

  Dear Mummie,

  This is the third letter that I have written to you on Star Island. I doubt if the first two will ever get to you, for I so brilliantly addressed them to plain “Star Island”, no address at the hotel!!!

  In case you haven’t heard the good news, my cold is all gone. I have written to Grampy and Grammy at the Whistling Whale,* to Warren at Benotti’s, to Frank and Louise. I still am writting (writing, that is!) a lot. I also sent a card to Dot, Joe, and Bobby.*

  I sure am making, as well as losing money. The money I “get rid of” is only in crafts. So far I have spent 75¢ in all (35¢ for crafts, 3 for book, 7¢ for postcards, 25¢ for sketch pad, 5¢ for Gloria.)

  I have gained 5¢ from Betsy, 5¢ from Gloria, and 10¢ as a prize, which I’ll tell about soon. Gloria, Betsy, and I have a little agreement, out of which I have made 10¢.

  Tonight Betsy and I hurried to the cabin after supper to dress for the masquerade. I just had deposited my $3 in the office, and requested that Ruthie be in cove when she comes. She probably won’t be, but – nevertheless.

  Betsy and I dressed as a mother and daughter of the 1890’s. We did Hope to get one of the prizes. Betsy dressed in a ruffly white blouse, a gathered long white skirt, and a white bonnet. She wore her hair in short pigtails. By the way, Betsy used one of my sheets for the skirt. She only cut it in half. You see when I gaily hopped in bed one night, My long shovel of a toenail caught where it was sewed down the middle and made an unmendable (?) rent. I decided to let it go, but one night some ink fell in little patterns on the old rag, so I sadly tore it up. I did not want to disgrace you by bringing it home!!!!! I do hope you will forgive me, “mater” dear. (Ha Ha) (Balmy) Betsy sweetly sewed my exclusive costume on me. (Very Ritzy.) I had used my black mosquito netting for a long full-sleeved blouse over my white t-shirt. I had 5 yds. of someones white mosquito netting for a peplum skirt with a tight white belt (mine) around the waist. My hair was tied up and drooped down and decorated with my white flower. I had a black velvet choker. Everybody was aghast that Betsy and I had actually made such a finished product in a few hours.

  Very many people had similar ideas. There were about 50 people. (2 units) one unit staged a wedding. Four people from each unit dressed as bathing beauties and were surprised and dismayed to see each other, for they had thought their idea original. Gayle was perfect as 1925. She wore an exact copy of the period. She looked so cute! One girl dressed as a sultan, and another as an arab, another as a pirate, darkies, husbands and wives, were some other ideas. When we had the grande Marche the bride got one prize, a “horse” got another, and “Miss 1960” got one. To my surprise I got second prize for the best old-fashion’d, and well made costume! It was a package of 25 Storrow stickers like the one you see on the outside of this letter (worth 10¢) that’s the prize I told you about. The night before we rowed across the lake (one mile). I rowed one boat (the leading boat) over. It was such fun! We had a nosebag supper, I had two cheese sandwhiches, three tomatoes, crackers, carrots, an orange, and six cups of milk. (We seldom get that good a meal.) We then rowed back in the path of the setting sun. Please tell me if this letter and a postcard with a sticker* on it reach U at the same time.

  Siv

  TO Aurelia Schober Plath

  Wednesday 10 July 1946

  ALS (postcard), Indiana University

  Wedy

  July 10, 46

  Dear Mother,

  Did this card get to you at the same time as the letter did? Last night Betsy and I woke up similtaneously (or how ever you spell it) at the same thunder clap. She was quite scared and with a flying leap jumped into my bed. For the first time in my life I was really frightened. I kept worrying about grammy and grampy. The thunder tumbled over the lightning which crackled all about us. Finally the storm passed over, but the lightning contented it self with glowering at us from the distance. It rained so hard, that Betsy and I thought the roof would cave in! At last we fell asleep. I woke up this morning feeling fine.

  Love,

  Siv

  TO Aurelia Schober Plath

  Wed.–Thurs. 10–11 July 1946

  ALS with envelope on Wellesley,

  Mass. letterhead, Indiana University

  Wednesday

  July 10

  NO. ONE

  Dear Mother,

  The stamps on this letter are part of my payment from Gloria. I got her mad enough to swear again!!!!!!! I now have made 10¢ cents clear from her. Today was a rather hasty aftermath of the thunder storm last night.

  The mail just a
rrived, and I got your post card. I felt almost like crying to hear you had not gotten a letter from me for a week! I have written at least a card a day, and this is about my fifth letter! From now on I am going to number my letters and cards so you will know if you get them. The mails are very queer. This is message No. I. I last wrote you about the masquerade and the thunderstorm.

  I am quite healthy, save for my ingrown toenail. We have good meals once in a while. The rotten ones always come before the yummy ones. For instance, this noon we had just “fish chowder” (fish floating in water) dry cabbage, and cold, leftover cocoa that tasted like polluted coffee. Now for supper tonight we had turkey, potatoes, carrots, bread, jam, and icecream. I guess the cook thought she had better make up for the “lunch”.

  We have not had a crowded schedule lately, but all of a sudden things have piled up on us. We’re making a shado-graph of “The Sleeping Beauty”, and I am in charge of the proceedings. We are also starting work on the newspaper. I only hope that I can make up something good enough to live up to my rather super reputation of last year. I haven’t gone in swimming for five days because of my cold, but plan to go in the next time.

  Thursday

  July 11

  Today we were planning to hike to fisherman’s cove, but instead we have to hike around the lake because the darn weather is so cold and nasty. Last night Betsy and I received the worst scare of our lives! We were both in my bed writing. Taps had just blown. I really didn’t want her to sleep with me in the same bed, but just as we were putting our things away for the night, we heard the most pitiful, and yet terrible cry, I have ever, or probably will ever hear. It was long and drawn out, and sounded partly like a tortured cat, and partly like a little child being murdered.

  Betsy and I were both petrified. We lay taut and tense on our backs, holding together for dear life. How glad we were that we had locked our door and put most of the flaps up. Nothing would pay Betsy to cross that cabin floor and get back to bed, and nothing would pay me to let her go. We stayed still for about 20 minutes, and then tryed to tell funny jokes to get our minds of the howl, when we heard the horrible sound once more, even longer this time. We prayed fervently for sleep to come, which it did, but not with its merciful oblivion. My whole night was a waking dream. I dreamed that people were frozen corpses, that the Cooper Boy had died, and that Margot had killed Duncan and Susie. Isn’t it awful! Somewhere in the pit where my mind was wandering I heard my name called, and with difficulty I jerked my self out of sleep and found a gray day, and Jean Baker saying that Betsy and I had only ten minutes to dress before breakfast. Not once have we been woken up by reville! Almost anything can happen here. I wouldn’t be surprised to hear superman knocking at the door.

  I have a lot of wash to do, but today is a rotten day to do it in. I am really having a wonderful time. I only wish the mails were better. My next message will be number two.

  Love,

  Sylvia

  TO Aurelia Schober Plath

  Thursday–Friday 11–12 July 1946

  ALS with envelope,

  Indiana University

  Message #2 No. 2

  Thursday

  July 11

  Dear Mummie,

  Oh! My aching feet! I just got back from a long hike with half the unit. Fourteen girls and two councilors. We went all the way around Long Pond on a five mile hike, but we took the wrong road and ended up in taking at least an eight mile hike. By the time we sat down to eat our lunch I had finished mine. I was very hungry, so I ate some salt. We sat down on the edge of the Miles Standish reservation. As we were settling down, Rikki and I saw a beautiful deer bounding away from us. It was very close, and it was so graceful that it took my breath away. We evidently took the wrong road, for we had left the pond long ago. We hiked for miles along a yellow dirt road straggling between endless hills of scrub pines. Around every new bend or hill we’d think “there must be some sign of man,” but there were only more bends and more hills. After we were almost collapsing in the glaring sun, which had miraculously come out, one girl called that she saw another road not far ahead. Sure enough, our eyes were greeted by the welcome sight of a paved road and cars whizzing by.

 

  This is a very rough map of what happened when we had hiked a couple of miles down the road and stopped at the first farmhouse we saw. They willingly gave us a pitcher of water and we poured* the punch in it that we had been carrying all the time. Oh! Never had anything tasted so good. We all had three graham crackers. At last we had hit the road to camp. My feet were covered with big blisters when we at long last reached our unit. I flopped down on my bed and rested my aching muscles. As soon as I hit the pillow I went to sleep until suppertime. An example of the fact we got off the path is that it took us 4½ hours to get around the pond, where it took the other unit, 1½ hours (3 hours difference).

  Friday- July 12

  Oh! This morning I had the most wonderful experience! An “Education Van” came to camp, and two young men opened up the back. Inside it was a huge wonderland of nature’s works. On the far end were two folding bed, that went up against the wall during the day. On the ceiling was a map of the stars. There were airy screened windows, and a table on which was a file full of hundreds of pamphlets, some of which were distributed among us. A great stuffed owl glared at us with his glassy eyes. There were several neat screened cages. In one was a small, garter snake, three turtles, and a beautifully marked frog. The small turtle was one of the variety that grows the largest. The middle sized turtle had red irises and was beautifully marked with red. The man took out the tiny garter snake. Most of the girls screamed and backed away, but I looked so interested that he let me hold it. It felt so nice slithering through my hands, all slippery. Next he took out a pair of water moccasins that had just shed their skins. You could see remnants of the old skin left over their eyes. He turned them over, and showed us their beautiful dull red markings. My! I certainly like snakes, there’s something about them that fascinates me.

  The man (Elmer, but very strong and nice even for his name) showed us some books, and cases of butterflies and moths. I was able to identify the luna and Polyphemus moth. They were in rather poor condition because the owl (that had died only a few days before) had crashed through the glass, broken in, and torn up most of the mounted insects. I am sending Warren some pamphlets in a separate envelope, because he wouldn’t get half the excitement in finding them in your letter.

  Last night we went on another short sketching trip. I hobbled along as best I could, but was so tired that I did not draw well at all. We went to a very interesting family graveyard* that we passed coming up. I was so interested in the names and dates on the old stones, that I felt quite subdued and rather filled with the tragedy that pervaded the air. There were three stones together. A man between two wives,* one wife died at the age of 40, the other did die a year after the man – 72 years. Another tiny stone was for a little girl who died at the age of two years* the saddest stone was so small that it was over grown by witch grass. It was for such a little child that it only had room for Lovell on it. There were several rather showy and decorative stones, with lovely designs on them.

  The call for delivering mail has come, so I must get this letter in on time.

  With love,

  Sylvia

  TO Aurelia Schober Plath

  Sat.–Sun. 13–14 July 1946

  ALS, Indiana University

  Message 3

  Saturday

  July 13

  Dearest Mother,

  I will probably not have time to mail this letter today, as I have spent all rest hour and such washing out twelve pairs of socks, three pairs of pants, and an undershirt. It was the first decent day for washing, for the rest have been very nasty. Today was my idea of a perfect day. The wind was blowing and the sky was that heavenly blue with clouds sailing across it in big white puffs, and the lake was bl
ue as blue, with big choppy waves, It reminded me so much of the ocean. It was just bubbling over with joy and enthusiasm. RUTH FREEMAN IS COMING TO COVE AND IS BEING IN MY CABIN WHEN SHE COMES ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!! Rikki did not put Gayle and Betsy together, and It could so easily have been done. I want them to be together as much as I wanted Ruthie and me to be together. I only hope Rikki changes her mind, though she says its final. Today to my relief, I finished my nutspoon. It came out so much better than I expected. Frenchie actually says that she loves it!!!!!! I have decided to give it to grammy and grampy, for Christmas maybe, with a little copper dish I’m making. The spoon is a darling squat little tiny thing, all shiny. It is designed something like this:

  The copper dish is going to follow the same design. They each cost about thirtyfive cents. Guess what?!! Grampy and Grammy have sent me two more dollars! So far I have spent only eighty cents out of my first book yet! I have not recklessly spent my money on Storrow hats either ($1.60!) but am yet enjoying myself and going to town in crafts. How I love metal work! When I get home I’ll have a least $5 left for my darling bank account. Please do send me some hairbands and try to send the nailnippers for just my finger nails. (metacarpus nails????) I wrote Warren about the nature van and hope that he got the letter. Evidently you and grammy and grampy have been having pretty nasty weather. Skipper says it is O.K. for grammy and grampy to drop in on Saturday the 20th, so I’m dropping them a letter* also. I hope that they bring fruit if they can, for that we get here is mainly sour and hard. We had some gooey apple pan doughy, and I don’t mean doughty for dessert tonight. All the two week campers left today, and boy! am I glad I’m not going home. I love camp so, for all its faults that I dread July 27th. Betsy received some gum and life-savers, but I wouldn’t want any candy sent to me. Fruit is allright to bring I am quite sure, and I asked Skipper if it would be alright if Grammy and Grampy dropped in, and she said yes, even though it is on the twentieth, a Saturday. My first ingrown toenail is all better, but I have one on my left toe that is much worse, and is swollen alot more. The nurse stuffed cotton under the corner, it hurts so that I can hardly walk. I have to hobble along, and it is very annoying. As I have probabably told you, I am dropping Grammy a card. I am so glad that Ruthie is going to be in my cabin, Betsy probably will get with Gayle. On this day (Sunday, now) Rikki clamped down on us, and made one girl (poor thing) clean all the latrines by herself, and I had to sweep my cabin four or five times before I went to crafts. Betsy and I thought that the next two weeks would be torture, but now that the new campers are coming things seem to be brightening up.