The poem turns the idea of totems on its head. A totem is an animal or other natural figure that spiritually represents a group of related people. Plath herself described ‘Totem’ as a ‘pile of interconnectedimages, like a totem pole’. Totems often have phallic and fertility symbolism. In the poem, the totems are manmade, coarse or counterfeit. Rather than venerated and worshipped, the totems are demeaned, killed and devoured.

Structure
The organised structure is typical of Plath, seventeen two-lined stanzas, with no regular rhyme scheme. The line-lengths vary. The poem achieves its coherence from the consistency of imagery that threads through the stanzas.

Language and Imagery
Plath’s poetry is usually made up of dense, compressed imagery. This is one of the most concise, loaded with complex ideas that are difficult to interpret and understand, but are ultimately rewarding. Notable themes within the overarching theme of the totem — which of course she destroys — include blood-letting; death, consumption and destruction.