(Plath)
The word “Herr” meaning “Mr.” or “Sir” in German (“Herr.”). Plath is challenging what is known to be some of the most popular dominant male entities: God and Lucifer, also known as the Devil, in order to empower the female voice. Plath also speaks in a tone to allow a sense of fear:
She also speaks to Herr Doktor, inviting him to "Peel off the napkin / O my enemy" and smugly questions, "Do I terrify?-"(10-12). Lady Lazarus's aggressive tone suggests that she wants to see if her appearance startles or shocks him so that she might gain an advantage over him. (Dahlke 234)
Plath does not do this to scare the dominant male figures of the poem, but to show her strength and capability; not just to Lady Lazarus, but to the female voice as a whole. The description of Lady Lazarus makes her out to be fearful, giving her an strong edge against her male oppressors trying to drag her down. The strength she exhibits through this image of fear show her willingness to fight against the