The Journey:
- The speaker begins by describing a journey, embarking "beyond the suburb's reach" and into the unknown. this can be interpreted as the transition from life to death or any significant life change that results in a feeling of profound separation from the familiar.
The Boat and Water:
- The central image of the poem is the speaker being carried away on a boat, "out to the sea-swell." The water here symbolizes the realm of the dead or the unknown, and the boat represents the vehicle for this transition.
Release from Pain:
- The speaker expresses a sense of relief and release from suffering. The poem conveys a desire for escape from the burdens and limitations of the physical world. Plath's reference to "the bell jar," a symbol of confinement and isolation, further emphasizes the desire to break free.
Transformation and Transcendence:
- As the speaker ventures further, she undergoes a transformation. Her body's rigid, metallic shell melts away, allowing for a sense of release. This change suggests the soul's liberation from the constraints of the physical form.
The Stars and Beyond:
- The poem concludes with the speaker ascending "out past the weather" and reaching for the stars, symbolizing her escape from earthly concerns and her connection to the vastness of the cosmos.
Hope in Mortality:
- While _Departure_ deals with themes of death, it also hints at a promise of hope. By embracing the journey and accepting mortality, the speaker finds liberation and transcendence.
Overall, _Departure_ captures Sylvia Plath's poignant exploration of the profound questions surrounding life, death, and the search for profound and meaningful transformations in the face of these universal mysteries.