Sylvia Plath's son 'commits suicide'

metro.co.uk ^ | March 23, 2009

[Ann Archy]

His mother gassed herself in the same house where he was sleeping....EVIL and VILE.

[I-ambush]

Just like the Hemingway family.

[Obadiah]

Very sad that he felt no hope that he therefore had to commit suicide. But you have to ask yourself, is suicide/depression part of the job description for being a poet or novelist?

[SoldierDad]

I can’t say - but, living in Alaska, especially in the winter months, and suffering from depression seem to go hand-in-hand for many people.

[Tax-chick]

He ... had until recently been a professor of fisheries and ocean sciences at the University of Alaska Fairbanks.

Winter in Fairbanks might have something to do with it. It is very sad.

[hellbender]

I think Sylvia Plath had bipolar disorder, which has a strong genetic component. Bipolar disorder is also associated with creativity. Poets seem more prone to it than most artists.

[r9etb]

I can’t say - but, living in Alaska, especially in the winter months, and suffering from depression seem to go hand-in-hand for many people.

True..... and there's apparently a genetic component for certain types of depression, which would almost certainly be exacerbated by the months-long Alaskan winter night.

[Skenderbej]

Just like drug overdoses for actors and musicians.

[skinkinthegrass]

Bush's....err...Zer0Bambi's Fault.
(someone had to sat it.)

[hellbender]

Lack of sunlight seems to exacerbate depression and is the main cause of one type of depression (seasonal affective disorder). Deficient production of “vitamin” D (actually a hormone) may be involved.

[SoldierDad]

The fact that a close family relative (parent in this case) also committed suicide did place him at even greater risk. It’s a shame someone didn’t pay closer attention to the signs.

[SoldierDad]

Since my daughter moved to Olympia WA, she’s had to deal with “seasonal affective disorder”. She and her husband are both hoping to move back to CA, and soon.

[bigbob]

how long before Palin is blamed?

[vladimir998]

I always thought her poetry was much ado about nothing. Yes, I dare say that I think Plath wasn’t that great of a poet. Her husband - scumbag philanderer and all - was a better poet and he didn’t impress me much either.

If Plath lived she might have been a nobody. And the only reason her son has made headlines is because he offed himself and famous mom selfishly did too.

Pathetic. Sad.

[Michael.SF.]

Why are there scare quotes around 'Commit Suicide', are they questioning that it was a suicide?

Now a headline that reads: "Vince Foster 'Commits Suicide' according to Official", that I understand. But here?

[Joe Boucher]

Good idea SoldierDad.

If ya’ve ever been to say North Idaho or Montana you know it can stay light or dark for 16 or 18 hours a day and in Alaska it can be even worse.
Some folks just can’t adjust to constant darkness.

[mcswan]

My prayers are with this family; two suicides is more pain than any family should have to deal with. I pray God’s presence will comfort them and bring them peace.

[SoldierDad]

I spent five years in Minot N. Dakota (USAF). I know full well what it’s like living where the hours of darkness are very long, and the hours of daylight very short. It’s not easy to adjust to, especially being from CA.

[randog]

Since my daughter moved to Olympia WA, she’s had to deal with “seasonal affective disorder”. She and her husband are both hoping to move back to CA, and soon.I went to school in Oregon, moved there from Nevada back in the 80's. I couldn't wait to get back home to the sunshine. It really does affect your mood. The 6ft/year of rain didn't help either.