FAQ About Sylvia Plath

After Sylvia Plath's death, her unpublished manuscripts were left in the care of her former husband, Ted Hughes. Hughes took on the responsibility of managing her literary estate and preserving her work. However, the fate of Plath's unpublished manuscripts became a subject of controversy and dispute.

In the years following Plath's death, Hughes made editorial decisions regarding her work, including the publication of posthumous collections. He also selected and arranged the poems for the influential collection "Ariel" (1965), which played a significant role in shaping Plath's posthumous literary reputation.

In 1969, Hughes stated that he had destroyed the last of Plath's journals to protect their children. This act drew criticism and controversy, as it was seen by some as denying the opportunity for further insights into Plath's life and work.

In the 1980s, there was a public controversy surrounding the release of Plath's previously unpublished works, including her journals and letters. Hughes's decision to limit access to these materials sparked debates about his control over Plath's literary legacy and raised questions about the potential loss of valuable insights into her creative process and personal life.

Eventually, after Hughes's death in 1998, control over Plath's literary estate was transferred to their children, Frieda and Nicholas. Since then, efforts have been made to increase access to Plath's unpublished works and provide scholars and researchers with opportunities to study and analyze them. Some of her previously unpublished poems, letters, and other writings have been released in subsequent publications, shedding new light on Plath's life and expanding our understanding of her work.