'The Child Bearers' by Anne Sexton

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Jean, death comes close to us all,
flapping its awful wings at us
and the gluey wings crawl up our nose.
Our children tremble in their teen-age cribs,
whirling off on a thumb or a motorcycle,
mine pushed into gnawing a stilbestrol cancer
I passed on like hemophilia,
or yours in the seventh grade, with her spleen
smacked in by the balance beam.
And we, mothers, crumpled, and flyspotted
with bringing them this far
can do nothing now but pray.Let us put your three children
and my two children,
ages ranging from eleven to twenty-one,
and send them in a large air net up to God,
with many stamps,

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Child Bearers by Anne Sexton: A Poem of Motherhood and Suffering

Anne Sexton's "The Child Bearers" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the experience of motherhood and the pain that comes with it. Through her use of rich imagery, vivid language, and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Sexton captures the emotional and physical challenges that mothers face in bringing new life into the world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of "The Child Bearers," and examine how Sexton uses poetic techniques to create a moving and unforgettable portrait of motherhood.

The Poem's Themes

The central theme of "The Child Bearers" is the experience of motherhood, and the pain that is inherent in the process of bringing new life into the world. Sexton's poem is a raw and unflinching look at the physical and emotional toll that childbirth takes on women, and the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. Throughout the poem, Sexton explores the idea that motherhood is both a beautiful and a painful experience, and that the joy of bringing new life into the world is often tempered by the suffering that goes along with it.

Another important theme in "The Child Bearers" is the idea of transformation. Sexton uses powerful imagery to describe the physical changes that women undergo during pregnancy, and the way that childbirth transforms them both physically and emotionally. Through her descriptions of the "heavy womb," "the breasts that swell and ache," and the "wet, red mouth" of the newborn child, Sexton captures the idea that motherhood is a transformative experience that changes women in profound ways.

Language and Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "The Child Bearers" is the vivid, sensory language that Sexton uses to describe the experience of motherhood. From the opening lines of the poem, Sexton's language is rich and evocative, immersing the reader in the world of the mother-to-be:

We are all child bearers.
We are coral, we are pearls.
We are swollen with life and the sun
comes and goes. We are hunger.
We are pain and laughter.
We are the first real breath of air
and the last goodbye.

Through her use of metaphor and sensory imagery, Sexton creates a vivid portrait of the mother-to-be, describing her as "coral" and "pearls" that are "swollen with life." The image of the mother as an oceanic creature is a powerful one, suggesting both the beauty and the danger of the life-giving process. The imagery of the "heavy womb" and the "swollen breasts" also speaks to the physical transformation that women undergo during pregnancy, and the pain and discomfort that often accompany it.

Sexton's language is also notable for its use of repetition and variation. Throughout the poem, she repeats the phrases "we are" and "we have," creating a sense of unity and shared experience among women. At the same time, she varies her language, using different images and metaphors to describe the experience of motherhood. This variation creates a sense of richness and depth, and helps to capture the complexity of the mother's experience.

Structure and Form

"The Child Bearers" is a free-verse poem, without a strict rhyme scheme or meter. However, there is a sense of structure and order to the poem, with its repeated phrases and variations. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of motherhood. The first stanza describes the mother-to-be, while the second describes the experience of childbirth. The third stanza explores the idea of transformation, and the ways in which motherhood changes women. The final stanza is a meditation on the pain and beauty of motherhood, and the sacrifices that mothers make for their children.

The structure of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition and variation. As mentioned earlier, Sexton repeats the phrases "we are" and "we have" throughout the poem, creating a sense of unity and shared experience among women. She also uses repetition to emphasize key phrases, such as "the womb that bleeds" and "the mouth that knows no words." The variations in language and imagery create a sense of richness and depth, and help to capture the complexity of the mother's experience.

Interpretation

"The Child Bearers" is a deeply moving and powerful poem that explores the experience of motherhood with honesty and sensitivity. Sexton's use of rich imagery, vivid language, and a hauntingly beautiful tone creates a portrait of motherhood that is both beautiful and painful. Through her descriptions of the physical and emotional challenges of childbirth, the transformative power of motherhood, and the sacrifices that mothers make for their children, Sexton captures the complexity and depth of the mother's experience.

At its core, "The Child Bearers" is a meditation on the beauty and pain of life, and the ways in which they are intertwined. Sexton suggests that the joy of bringing new life into the world is often tempered by the suffering that goes along with it, but that this suffering can also be transformative and ultimately rewarding. The poem is an affirmation of the strength and resilience of women, and a celebration of the power of motherhood to transform and enrich our lives.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Child Bearers" is a masterful poem that explores the experience of motherhood with sensitivity, honesty, and beauty. Through her use of vivid language, powerful imagery, and a hauntingly beautiful tone, Sexton captures the emotional and physical challenges of childbirth, the transformative power of motherhood, and the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. The poem is a testament to the strength and resilience of women, and a celebration of the beauty and pain of life. It is a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Sexton's "The Child Bearers" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the complex and often painful experience of motherhood. Written in Sexton's signature confessional style, the poem delves deep into the psyche of a mother struggling to come to terms with the realities of raising children.

At its core, "The Child Bearers" is a meditation on the sacrifices that mothers make for their children. Sexton opens the poem with a vivid description of the physical pain of childbirth, describing the "blood and bone" that are "ripped apart" in the process. This image sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with similarly visceral and unsettling images of motherhood.

Throughout the poem, Sexton explores the ways in which motherhood can be both a source of joy and a source of pain. She describes the "sweet milk" that flows from a mother's breast, but also the "sweat and tears" that come with the job. She speaks of the "endless nights" spent caring for a child, and the way that motherhood can feel like a "prison" at times.

One of the most striking aspects of "The Child Bearers" is the way that Sexton uses language to convey the intensity of the emotions that come with motherhood. She employs a range of poetic techniques, including repetition, alliteration, and metaphor, to create a sense of urgency and intensity in the poem.

For example, in the second stanza, Sexton repeats the phrase "I am the mother" three times, each time adding a new layer of meaning to the phrase. The first time she says it, it is a simple statement of fact. The second time, it is a declaration of identity. And the third time, it is a cry of desperation, as if the speaker is trying to convince herself of the truth of her own words.

Similarly, Sexton uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. In the third stanza, she writes, "I am the mother of sorrows, / I am the mother of the wicked, / I am the mother of the holy, / I am the mother of the lost." The repetition of the "m" sound in each line creates a sense of unity and coherence, even as the speaker describes the disparate experiences of motherhood.

Perhaps the most powerful metaphor in the poem is the image of the "child bearers" themselves. Sexton describes them as "women with wheels on their feet," suggesting that they are constantly in motion, always moving forward, always carrying the weight of their children with them. This image is both beautiful and haunting, capturing the sense of responsibility and burden that comes with motherhood.

Ultimately, "The Child Bearers" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal experience of motherhood. Sexton's use of language is masterful, and her ability to capture the complex emotions of motherhood is unparalleled. Whether you are a mother yourself or simply someone who appreciates great poetry, this is a poem that is sure to leave a lasting impression.

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