'My Friend, My Friend' by Anne Sexton
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Who will forgive me for the things I do?
With no special legend of God to refer to,
With my calm white pedigree, my yankee kin,
I think it would be better to be a Jew.I forgive you for what you did not do.
I am impossibly quilty. Unlike you,
My Friend, I can not blame my origin
With no special legend or God to refer to.They wear The Crucifix as they are meant to do.
Why do their little crosses trouble you?
The effigies that I have made are genuine,
(I think it would be better to be a Jew).Watching my mother slowly die I knew
My first release. I wish some ancient bugaboo
Followed me. But my sin is always my sin.
With no special legend or God to refer to.Who will forgive me for the things I do?
To have your reasonable hurt to belong to
Might ease my trouble like liquor or aspirin.
I think it would be better to be a Jew.And if I lie, I lie because I love you,
Because I am bothered by the things I do,
Because your hurt invades my calm white skin:
With no special legend or God to refer to,
I think it would be better to be a Jew.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, My Friend, My Friend: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Anne Sexton, you have done it again! Your poem "Poetry, My Friend, My Friend" is a masterpiece. It is a beautiful ode to the power of poetry and how it can bring meaning to our lives. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism in this poem.
Themes
One of the central themes of "Poetry, My Friend, My Friend" is the transformative power of poetry. Sexton writes, "Poetry, my friend, my friend / I am a stranger here / And so are you." These lines express the idea that both the speaker and poetry are outsiders in the world. However, through their relationship, they are able to find a sense of belonging and meaning.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of escape. The speaker describes poetry as a "key" that can unlock the doors to other worlds. This idea of escape is further emphasized in the line, "You are a dream, a fever, a passion." Here, Sexton suggests that poetry can transport us to a different realm, where we can explore our desires and emotions freely.
Love is another theme that is present in the poem. The speaker addresses poetry as a lover, saying, "You have taken my hand / And I am yours." This language of love and devotion suggests that poetry is more than just a hobby or interest for the speaker. Rather, it is a deep and meaningful connection that brings joy and fulfillment to her life.
Imagery
Sexton's use of imagery in "Poetry, My Friend, My Friend" is striking. The opening lines of the poem set the scene: "Poetry, my friend, my friend / you have come to shore / In the wrong country." Here, the image of a ship arriving in a foreign land is used to describe the arrival of poetry in the speaker's life. This metaphor emphasizes the idea that poetry is something new and unfamiliar, yet also exciting and full of possibility.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid and evocative language to describe the power of poetry. For example, she writes, "You are the magic swimming through the lakes of my dreams." This image of magic swimming through a dream-like landscape is both beautiful and mysterious. It suggests that poetry has the ability to tap into our subconscious desires and fears, and to create a world that is both fantastical and real.
Another strong image in the poem is that of a key. The speaker describes poetry as a key that can unlock the doors to other worlds. This image emphasizes the idea of escape and suggests that poetry can provide a way out of the mundane and into something more exciting and meaningful.
Symbolism
The use of symbolism in "Poetry, My Friend, My Friend" is subtle but effective. One example of symbolism in the poem is the use of the image of the ship. As mentioned earlier, this image represents the arrival of poetry in the speaker's life. However, it can also be seen as a symbol of the journey that the speaker is on. She is navigating unfamiliar waters, but with poetry as her guide, she is able to find her way.
Another symbol in the poem is that of the key. As mentioned earlier, the speaker describes poetry as a key that can unlock the doors to other worlds. This image suggests that poetry is a tool that can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. It also suggests that poetry is something that we can use to access our deepest desires and emotions.
Finally, love can also be seen as a symbol in the poem. The speaker addresses poetry as a lover, saying, "You have taken my hand / And I am yours." This language of love and devotion suggests that poetry is more than just a hobby or interest for the speaker. Rather, it is something that she is deeply committed to, and something that brings her great joy and fulfillment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, My Friend, My Friend" is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the transformative power of poetry. Through its themes, imagery, and symbolism, Anne Sexton creates a vivid portrait of the relationship between the speaker and poetry. She suggests that poetry has the ability to transport us to other worlds, to help us find meaning and purpose in our lives, and to provide a sense of love and belonging. This poem is a testament to the importance of art and creativity in our lives, and a reminder of the power that language can have to change the world around us. Well done, Anne Sexton!
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is often described as a form of art that allows individuals to express their deepest emotions and thoughts. Anne Sexton, a renowned American poet, is known for her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in her works. One of her most famous poems, "My Friend, My Friend," is a powerful piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a friend, asking them to "come closer." The use of the word "friend" suggests a level of intimacy and familiarity between the speaker and the person they are addressing. The speaker then goes on to describe the pain they are feeling, saying that they are "hurt to the bone." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with raw emotion and vulnerability.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of love. The speaker describes their love for someone, saying that they "love you more than the world can contain." This line is particularly powerful because it suggests that the speaker's love is so intense that it cannot be contained by the world. The use of hyperbole in this line emphasizes the depth of the speaker's emotions.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of loss. The speaker describes how they have lost someone they love, saying that "you have gone from me." The use of the word "gone" suggests that the person the speaker loves has died or left them. This line is particularly poignant because it captures the pain of losing someone you love.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes how they are "lost without you," and how they "cannot find my footing." This line captures the feeling of being lost and alone after losing someone you love. The use of the word "footing" suggests that the speaker feels unsteady and unsure of themselves.
The fifth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the human condition. The speaker describes how "we are all casualties," suggesting that everyone experiences loss and pain at some point in their lives. This line is particularly powerful because it emphasizes the universality of human suffering.
The final stanza of the poem is a plea for comfort. The speaker asks their friend to "hold me," suggesting that they need physical comfort to ease their pain. The use of the word "hold" is particularly powerful because it suggests a level of intimacy and vulnerability.
Overall, "My Friend, My Friend" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Anne Sexton's use of language and imagery is particularly effective in capturing the raw emotions of the speaker. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest emotions and thoughts of the human experience.
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