'The Author Of The Jesus Papers Speaks' by Anne Sexton
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In my dream
I milked a cow,
the terrible udder
like a great rubber lily
sweated in my fingers
and as I yanked,
waiting for the moon juice,
waiting for the white mother,
blood spurted from it
and covered me with shame.
Then God spoke to me and said:
People say only good things about Christmas.
If they want to say something bad,
they whisper.
So I went to the well and drew a baby
out of the hollow water.
Then God spoke to me and said:
Here. Take this gingerbread lady
and put her in your oven.
When the cow gives blood
and the Christ is born
we must all eat sacrifices.
We must all eat beautiful women.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry by Anne Sexton
If there is one poetry collection that can make you feel the agony and ecstasy of a woman’s soul, it is "The Book of Folly" by Anne Sexton. And if there is one poem that can make you question the nature of faith, history, and identity, it is "The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks." This poem, with its sharp wit, haunting imagery, and unflinching honesty, is a masterpiece of confessional poetry that not only reveals the speaker’s innermost thoughts but also challenges the reader’s worldview.
The Speaker: A Female Jesus Scholar with a Crisis of Faith
The poem begins with a disarming confession: "I don’t believe in God." This statement, uttered by a female Jesus scholar, immediately establishes the speaker’s intellectual and experiential authority. She is not a blind believer but a critical thinker who has devoted her life to the study of the historical Jesus. Her skepticism, however, is not just a matter of academic inquiry but a personal crisis of faith. She admits that she once believed in God and Jesus and even wrote a book about them. But now she feels like a fraud, a "Jesus-burner," who has "used Him up, consumed Him, studied Him out."
The speaker’s crisis of faith is not just a matter of losing a belief in a deity, but a loss of identity. She feels like a "nobody," a "fake writer," a "faux scholar," a "mere woman." Her struggle to reconcile her intellectual pursuits with her emotional needs is palpable:
"I want to be somebody. But not myself. And they’re so easy to talk to, the dead."
The speaker’s longing for someone to talk to, someone who can give her a sense of purpose and belonging, is indicative of her isolation and alienation. She is a woman in a man’s field, a Jew in a Christian culture, a non-believer in a world of believers. Her voice is one of defiance and vulnerability, a mix of wit and pain, that resonates with anyone who has ever felt like an outsider.
The Jesus Papers: A Fictional Hoax or a Truthful Revelation?
The poem takes an unexpected turn when the speaker reveals that she has written a book called "The Jesus Papers," which she claims to be a sensational discovery that will "rock the world." The book, she says, contains "new findings, new scriptures, new words of Christ." But then she admits that the whole thing is a lie, a "con," a "hoax." She invented the book to "get even" with the "Jesus haters and Jesus lovers," who have made her life miserable.
The revelation that the Jesus Papers are a fiction raises several questions: Is the speaker’s confession true, or is it a cover-up for a real discovery? Is the speaker’s motive revenge, or is it a desperate attempt to be heard and recognized? Is the speaker’s revelation a sign of her integrity, or is it a self-destructive gesture?
The ambiguity of these questions makes the poem all the more intriguing and provocative. The reader is forced to confront the possibility that the Jesus Papers may be a hoax and that the speaker may be a liar. But the reader is also invited to consider the speaker’s motives and emotions, which are as real and valid as any historical fact.
The Power of Language: Irony, Satire, and Metaphor
One of the most striking features of the poem is the use of language, which is both playful and profound. The speaker’s ironic and satirical tone is evident in lines like:
"I burned the bit of Jesus that I had and put some light in my head."
The pun on "burned" and "light" suggests that the speaker has rejected the traditional image of Jesus as a sacrificial victim and embraced a more enlightened view of him as a source of inspiration. The speaker’s use of metaphor is also powerful, as in the lines:
"I am poor, I am dry, I am the beast that history eats."
The metaphor of the beast that history eats conveys the speaker’s sense of being devoured by the past, consumed by the present, and ignored by the future. The image suggests that the speaker’s voice, like the voice of women and minorities throughout history, has been silenced and erased by the dominant culture.
The Conclusion: An Ambiguous Triumph or a Defeat?
The poem ends with a sense of ambivalence, as the speaker declares:
"And so I wrote a book, a lie, and called it 'The Jesus Papers.'"
The repetition of "a lie" reinforces the speaker’s admission of guilt and deceit. But the fact that she still calls the book "The Jesus Papers" suggests that she still values the idea of Jesus as a symbol of truth and hope. The reader is left wondering whether the speaker’s confession is a sign of her triumph over her own demons or a defeat at the hands of a world that refuses to listen to her.
In conclusion, "The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks" is a brilliant example of confessional poetry that explores the themes of faith, identity, language, and power. The poem’s speaker, a female Jesus scholar with a crisis of faith, challenges the reader’s assumptions about religion and gender. The poem’s use of irony, satire, and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the speaker’s voice. The poem’s ambiguous conclusion invites the reader to reflect on the nature of truth, fiction, and authenticity. And the poem’s overall message is one of hope, even in the face of despair and doubt.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her confessional style of writing. Her poems are often autobiographical, exploring themes of mental illness, suicide, and family relationships. In her poem, The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks, Sexton takes on a different subject matter, exploring the life of Jesus Christ from a unique perspective.
The poem is written in the first person, with the speaker identifying themselves as the author of the Jesus Papers. The poem is divided into three sections, each exploring a different aspect of Jesus' life. The first section focuses on Jesus' childhood, the second on his ministry, and the third on his death and resurrection.
In the first section, the speaker describes Jesus as a child, playing with other children and learning from his mother. The speaker also describes the doubts that Jesus had about his own divinity, questioning whether he was truly the son of God. This section sets the tone for the rest of the poem, exploring the humanity of Jesus and his struggles with his own identity.
The second section of the poem explores Jesus' ministry, focusing on his teachings and miracles. The speaker describes Jesus as a charismatic leader, drawing crowds of people to hear him speak. The speaker also describes the opposition that Jesus faced from the religious leaders of his time, who saw him as a threat to their authority.
The third and final section of the poem explores Jesus' death and resurrection. The speaker describes the agony of the crucifixion, but also the hope that came with the resurrection. The speaker ends the poem with a powerful statement, declaring that Jesus' message of love and forgiveness will live on forever.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Sexton humanizes Jesus. Rather than portraying him as a distant and unapproachable figure, she presents him as a real person with doubts and fears. This approach makes Jesus more relatable to readers, allowing them to connect with him on a deeper level.
Another notable aspect of the poem is the way that Sexton explores the themes of faith and doubt. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with the question of whether Jesus was truly the son of God. This struggle is something that many people can relate to, as they too may have doubts about their own faith.
The poem also explores the theme of redemption, with the speaker declaring that Jesus' message of love and forgiveness will live on forever. This message is one that is still relevant today, as people continue to seek redemption and forgiveness for their own mistakes and shortcomings.
In terms of poetic technique, Sexton's use of imagery and metaphor is particularly effective. For example, in the first section of the poem, she describes Jesus as a child playing with other children, using the metaphor of a "little king" to convey his sense of importance. This image is both powerful and poignant, highlighting the contrast between Jesus' humble beginnings and his eventual status as a religious leader.
Overall, The Author of the Jesus Papers Speaks is a masterpiece of poetry that explores the life of Jesus Christ from a unique perspective. Through her use of language and imagery, Sexton humanizes Jesus and makes him more relatable to readers. The poem also explores themes of faith, doubt, and redemption, making it a powerful and thought-provoking work of literature.
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