p2: biblical allusion

• "stitches to show something is missing" could be seen as a biblical reference to the Adam & Eve story in Genesis where the stitches referenced could be an allusion to the stitches that Adam needed after God took his rib to create Eve. By alluding to the Adam & Eve story, Plath may be commenting on gender dynamics & power imbalances in relationships.
• 2. In Genesis, Eve is created as a companion for Adam, but her creation also establishes a hierarchical relationship, with Adam as her originator. Similarly, in The Applicant, the persona’s reference to "stitches" could imply a sense of manipulation or control, reflecting power dynamics between the applicant & potential wife.
• 3. These power dynamics are confirmed later in the poem, as apparent in the line, “You have a hold, it’s a poultice./ You have an eye, it’s an image”  the interviewer continues, possibly alluding to the Ephesians 5 [22] Wives, be subject to your husbands, as to the Lord. [23] For the husb& is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, which depicts the ultimate purpose of the woman is to meet every desire of the applicant, communicating that she is completely devoid of any agency on her own.

   

   
• 4. This may reflect public concerns of a Christian dominated society which ingrained the societal norm for women to submit themselves to their husbands.
• 7. Moreover, the phrase 'you have an eye' implies that the interviewee is being objectified like a piece of art, further emphasizing the idea that women are viewed solely as objects rather than people.