The history of Sylvia Plath’s grave is troubling and troublesome. For decades now, her resting place has been a site of contestation and protest. Her gravestone is repeatedly vandalized and this shows no signs of going away. The destruction of any grave is distressing and troubling, but it is crucial that we ask why this is repeatedly happening to Plath’s.

A troubling grave is an issue too for the resting place of Assia Wevill and her daughter Shura. Despite leaving clear instructions where she would like to be buried and what she would like inscribed on her headstone, Assia and Shura’s ashes still lie in an unmarked grave. The location was unknown for many years, even to her family. What are the connections between these two resting places? Certainly, silencing is at play with both, but what else?

On Sunday March 6, 18.00 GMT / 13.00 EST / 10.00 PST please join us for a discussion of these vital issues. Author and photographer, Jessica Ferri will be sharing her expertise about cemeteries, the importance of resting places, the cultural differences between burials and cremations, and the history and meaning behind grave vandalization. Dr Julie Goodspeed Chadwick will be hosting the event sharing her in depth knowledge about Assia Wevill and feminist recovery of forgotten / erased women. Emily van Duyne will be speaking about historical and contemporary issues relating to the silencing of Sylvia Plath and Assia Wevill, and I will be speaking about the history of Plath’s grave exploring why it is such a place of unrest and possible ways forward.

You can register for the event by clicking here. We would love to see you there.  

This event is generously co-hosted by the Literature Program of Stockton University.