Assia Wevill

Assia Wevill (1927-1969). Born in Berlin, of German, Russian, and Jewish descent, Wevill is the woman for whom Ted Hughes left his wife Sylvia Plath. Wevill?s third husband was the Canadian poet David Wevill. She was the daughter of a Jewish physician of Russian origin and spent her youth in Tel Aviv and Canada, and had worked in the advertising industry. A refugee from Germany after the beginning of World War II, Assia was herself an aspiring poet. She began her affair with Hughes after 1961 when he and Plath took up residence in Devon, which continued after Plath committed suicide.

Related Topics:
1927 - 1969 - Berlin - Ted Hughes - Sylvia Plath - David Wevill - Tel Aviv - Canada - Germany - World War II - 1961 - Devon

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Hughes moved her into Court Green (Mid Devon home that he had bought for Plath). Wevill was haunted by Plath?s ghost ?even though she attempted to take over Sylvia?s place (she even began using things that had once belonged to the poetess). She was anxious that Hughes would leave her and the daughter she bore him on March 3, 1965, Alexandra Tatiana Eloise, nicknamed "Shura."

Related Topics:
March 3 - 1965

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On March 25, 1969, Assia Wevill took her own life and that of their daughter in a manner that nearly re-enacted Plath's suicide. Dragging a mattress into the kitchen, Assia sealed the door and window, dissolved sleeping pills in a glass of water and gave them to Shura. Taking the rest of the pills, she turned on the gas stove, and lay down on the mattress with her daughter.

Related Topics:
March 25 - 1969

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In the 2003 film Sylvia, she is played by Amira Casar

Related Topics:
2003 - Sylvia - Amira Casar

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Ted Hughes' book "Crow" was dedicated to the memory of Assia and Shura.

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Ted Hughes? poem ?Folktale? deals with his relation to Assia:

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She wanted the silent heraldry

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Of the purple beach by the noble wall.

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He wanted Cabala the ghetto demon

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With its polythene bag full of ashes.

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