'The Bells' by Anne Sexton

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Today the circus poster
is scabbing off the concrete wall
and the children have forgotten
if they knew at all.
Father, do you remember?
Only the sound remains,
the distant thump of the good elephants,
the voice of the ancient lions
and how the bells
trembled for the flying man.
I, laughing,
lifted to your high shoulder
or small at the rough legs of strangers,
was not afraid.
You held my hand
and were instant to explain
the three rings of danger.Oh see the naughty clown
and the wild parade
while love love
love grew rings around me.
this was the sound where it began;
our breath pounding up to see
the flying man breast out
across the boarded sky
and climb the air.
I remember the color of music
and how forever
all the trembling bells of you
were mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bells: A Hauntingly Beautiful Exploration of Life and Death

Introduction

Anne Sexton's "The Bells" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of life and death through the metaphor of ringing bells. The poet uses a variety of stylistic devices to create a vivid and emotional image of the cycle of life that is both awe-inspiring and terrifying. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its meaning, themes, and literary devices.

Analysis

Structure and Form

"The Bells" is a free verse poem with no strict rhyme or meter. It is divided into four stanzas, each of which represents a different stage of life. The first stanza is about childhood, the second about youth, the third about middle age, and the fourth about old age and death. The structure and form of the poem reflect the cyclical nature of life, with each stanza representing a different part of the cycle.

Theme

The central theme of "The Bells" is the cycle of life and death. The ringing of the bells represents the passing of time and the stages of life. The poem explores the different emotions and experiences that are associated with each stage, from the innocence and joy of childhood to the fear and uncertainty of old age and death. Sexton suggests that life is a journey that we must all take, and that we must embrace each stage of the journey, no matter how difficult or painful.

Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of "The Bells" is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Sexton creates a powerful image of the ringing bells that is both beautiful and haunting. The sound of the bells is described as "silver-sweet" and "golden-mellow," conjuring up images of a peaceful and idyllic world. However, the bells also have a darker side, with their "brazen anger" and "iron sobbing," suggesting the inevitability of death and the pain and suffering that come with it.

Symbolism

The bells in the poem are a powerful symbol of the passage of time and the stages of life. They represent the joys and sorrows, the triumphs and failures, that we experience as we journey through life. The different types of bells in each stanza also have symbolic significance. The "silver bells" of childhood represent innocence and purity, while the "brazen bells" of old age represent the harsh reality of mortality. The "golden bells" of youth represent hope and possibility, while the "iron bells" of death represent finality and inevitability.

Tone

The tone of "The Bells" is both melancholic and celebratory. Sexton recognizes the pain and suffering that come with life and death, but also celebrates the beauty and joy that can be found in each stage of the journey. The poem is imbued with a sense of awe and wonder at the cycle of life, and the ringing of the bells is both a mournful lament and a joyful celebration.

Interpretation

"The Bells" is a deeply personal and emotional poem that reflects Anne Sexton's own struggles with mental illness and mortality. The poem can be interpreted as a reflection on the artist's own life, and her journey through the different stages of the cycle. Sexton suggests that life is a journey that we must all take, and that we must embrace each stage of the journey, no matter how difficult or painful.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the human condition. Sexton suggests that life is both beautiful and terrifying, and that we must learn to live with the knowledge of our own mortality. The ringing of the bells represents the inevitability of death, and the pain and suffering that come with it. However, the poem also suggests that there is beauty and joy to be found in life, and that we must embrace each moment and live life to the fullest.

Conclusion

"The Bells" is a hauntingly beautiful poem that explores the themes of life and death through the metaphor of ringing bells. The poem is a powerful reflection on the cycle of life, and the different emotions and experiences that are associated with each stage. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism creates a vivid and emotional image of the journey of life, and the ringing of the bells is both a mournful lament and a joyful celebration. "The Bells" is a testament to the beauty and complexity of the human experience, and a reminder that life is a journey that we must all take, no matter how difficult or painful.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Bells by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and haunting piece of literature that explores the different emotions and moods that are associated with the sound of bells. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which describes a different type of bell and the emotions that it evokes. In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, imagery, and symbolism.

The first stanza of the poem describes the sound of sleigh bells. The sound of these bells is associated with joy and happiness, as they are often heard during the holiday season. Sexton describes the sound of the bells as "merry" and "bright," which creates a sense of warmth and comfort. The imagery of the "white world" and the "snow" also adds to the festive atmosphere of the stanza. However, there is also a sense of melancholy in the stanza, as Sexton describes the "long, long ago" and the "dead" who once heard the sound of the sleigh bells. This creates a sense of nostalgia and loss, as the sound of the bells reminds us of the people and memories that we have lost.

The second stanza of the poem describes the sound of wedding bells. Unlike the sleigh bells, the sound of wedding bells is associated with a sense of solemnity and seriousness. Sexton describes the sound of the bells as "heavy" and "slow," which creates a sense of gravity and importance. The imagery of the "white dress" and the "veil" also adds to the sense of ceremony and ritual. However, there is also a sense of foreboding in the stanza, as Sexton describes the "knell" of the bells and the "death" that is associated with marriage. This creates a sense of tension and unease, as the sound of the bells reminds us of the responsibilities and sacrifices that come with marriage.

The third stanza of the poem describes the sound of alarm bells. The sound of these bells is associated with danger and urgency, as they are often heard during emergencies. Sexton describes the sound of the bells as "wild" and "fierce," which creates a sense of panic and chaos. The imagery of the "fire" and the "smoke" also adds to the sense of danger and urgency. However, there is also a sense of hope in the stanza, as Sexton describes the "rescue" that is associated with the sound of the bells. This creates a sense of relief and gratitude, as the sound of the bells reminds us of the help and support that we can receive during times of crisis.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem describes the sound of funeral bells. The sound of these bells is associated with sadness and mourning, as they are often heard during funerals. Sexton describes the sound of the bells as "solemn" and "slow," which creates a sense of grief and loss. The imagery of the "black hearse" and the "pall" also adds to the sense of mourning and sadness. However, there is also a sense of acceptance in the stanza, as Sexton describes the "peace" that is associated with death. This creates a sense of closure and resolution, as the sound of the bells reminds us of the inevitability of death and the need to come to terms with it.

Throughout the poem, Sexton uses a variety of literary devices to create a sense of mood and atmosphere. The use of imagery, such as the "white world" and the "black hearse," helps to create a sense of visual imagery that adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "bells," helps to create a sense of rhythm and musicality that adds to the auditory impact of the poem. The use of symbolism, such as the symbolism of the sleigh bells and the wedding bells, helps to create a sense of meaning and significance that adds to the intellectual impact of the poem.

In conclusion, The Bells by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that explores the different emotions and moods that are associated with the sound of bells. Through the use of imagery, repetition, and symbolism, Sexton creates a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the human experience of joy, sorrow, and everything in between. Whether you are listening to the sound of sleigh bells during the holiday season or the sound of funeral bells during a time of mourning, The Bells reminds us of the power of sound to evoke emotion and connect us to our shared humanity.

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