Sylvia Plath

Although I can honestly say I do not fully comprehend Sylvia Plath's, Lady Lazarus, I know why it is that I can't. Plath's life experience is something that I'll never have, as well as her struggle with severe depression. Through Lady Lazarus, Plath tries to convey some personal point; however,  reveals one simple one that can be seen on the surface throughout all her poems. Plath is dissatisfied with life. She is skilled in near death experiences, "like a cat with nine lives". While it appears that she is conflicted by the constant pull of death, she also seems to take comfort in it. It makes her feel alive, in fact she does it so "it feels like hell... so it feels real." Plath conveys that life is nothing without death. Maybe that death is even the most important thing, as it gives some peace, and some justice. For Sylvia however, death is her escape, as she makes it clear through much imagery that life is her hell, so it wouldn't matter what death would be like.

P.S.
Sylvia tried to slit her throat at age ten 
Her son committed suicide by hanging himself due to depression 

A streetcar named desire

A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams doesn't directly hold a "moral to the story", however, many different insights to societies customs and their flaws. Through main characters, Blanche and Stanley , Williams reveals the social struggle for men and women. Blanche, a high class southern bell, foils charachter Stanley who seemingly has just as many struggles as Blanche, however, differs in his social standing and manners. Both seek security and acceptance from society, but struggle to attain it. Having lost everything Blanche seeks to hold her social power and dignity by looking down upon Stanely, making fun of him for his polish decent and his blue collar job. Blanche also takes advantage of Stanely's weak masculine nature by holding her sexuality over his head. Stanely, just as lost and confused in his life, as he cannot live up to societies definition of a man, is infuriated by Blanche. Her hypocrisy eats at him and forces him to develop a deep hatred of her. Stanely knows Blanche technically has no real social advance on him since she lost her plantation, and seeks to destroy her further for acting above him. Ultimately, despite Stanely being married to Blanche's sister, Stanely rapes Blanche. Through this act Stanely takes any power Blanche had had over him. Through these charachters, Williams reveals the flaws of traditional men/women roles, and what can happen when they cannot be lived up to.