Here are some key points to understand the poem:
* Candlelight as a symbol: The candlelight acts as a symbol of both love and life. It provides warmth and comfort in the darkness, but it is also fragile and fleeting, susceptible to being extinguished.
* The speaker's emotional state: The speaker is grappling with deep emotions, potentially grief or a sense of loss. She feels cold and exposed, vulnerable to the harshness of the world.
* Fear of the unknown: The poem suggests a fear of the unknown and the inevitable passing of time. The speaker feels a sense of urgency and desperation to hold onto the fleeting moments of life.
* The power of memory: The candlelight illuminates memories, both joyous and painful. The speaker is haunted by the past and struggles to reconcile it with the present.
* The fragility of love: The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the fragility of love. The speaker feels isolated and alone, questioning the permanence of her love.
* The cycle of life and death: The candlelight burning out represents the cycle of life and death. The poem suggests that even in the darkest moments, there is a sense of hope and beauty.
Ultimately, "Poem by Candlelight" is open to interpretation. It invites the reader to delve into the speaker's emotional landscape, to contemplate the themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Some critics have suggested that:
* The poem reflects Plath's own experiences of grief and loss, particularly the death of her father.
* The poem explores the relationship between the speaker and her lover, highlighting the tension between love and fear.
* The poem can be viewed as a meditation on the ephemeral nature of life and the human desire for permanence.
No matter how you interpret it, "Poem by Candlelight" is a haunting and powerful poem that speaks to the universal human experience of love, loss, and the passage of time.