The following version of this poem was used to create this guide: Plath, Sylvia. “The Colossus by Sylvia Plath.” Poetry Foundation, https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/89119/the-colossus.

Note that all parenthetical citations within the guide refer to the lines of the poem from which the quotations are taken.

As the title poem of Plath’s first collection, “The Colossus” was close to the poet’s heart. It reflects her unresolved feelings towards her father, Otto Plath, who died early in her childhood. In scholarly criticism, it is often discussed alongside her autobiographical poem “Daddy.” Like much of Plath’s work, this poem draws from mythic history to convey a deeper theme.

“The Colossus” follows an unnamed character who toils away as they try to repair a broken statue to its former glory. They feel bitter and antagonistic towards the statue, but lack the ability to break away from the unfulfilling role they have inhabited all their life.