'End, Middle, Beginning' by Anne Sexton

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There was an unwanted child.
Aborted by three modern methods
she hung on to the womb,
hooked onto I
building her house into it
and it was to no avail,
to black her out.At her birth
she did not cry,
spanked indeed,
but did not yell--
instead snow fell out of her mouth.As she grew, year by year,
her hair turned like a rose in a vase,
and bled down her face.
Rocks were placed on her to keep
the growing silent,
and though they bruised,
they did not kill,
though kill was tangled into her beginning.They locked her in a football
but she merely curled up
and pretended it was a warm doll's house.
They pushed insects in to bite her off
and she let them crawl into her eyes
pretending they were a puppet show.Later, later,
grown fully, as they say,
they gave her a ring,
and she wore it like a root
and said to herself,
"To be not loved is the human condition,"
and lay like a stature in her bed.Then once,
by terrible chance,
love took her in his big boat
and she shoveled the ocean
in a scalding joy.Then,
slowly,
love seeped away,
the boat turned into paper
and she knew her fate,
at last.
Turn where you belong,
into a deaf mute
that metal house,
let him drill you into no one.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"End, Middle, Beginning" by Anne Sexton: A Deep Dive into the Layers of Poetry

Poetry is an art form that can be as complex as it is beautiful. In the case of "End, Middle, Beginning" by Anne Sexton, we see a poem that is rich with meaning, symbolism, and imagery. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we'll explore the different layers of this poem and how they contribute to its overall impact.

Understanding the Poet

Before diving into the poem itself, it's important to understand the poet behind it. Anne Sexton was a highly regarded poet of the 20th century, known for her confessional style of writing. Her works often explored themes of mental illness, family dysfunction, and personal struggles. Sexton herself suffered from depression and attempted suicide multiple times throughout her life. All of this context is important to keep in mind when examining "End, Middle, Beginning."

The Poem: "End, Middle, Beginning"

End, Middle, Beginning By Anne Sexton

Yesterday I was simply a mother. Today I am a mother-to-be. Yesterday I was married. Today I am divorced. Yesterday I was young. Today I am old. Tomorrow I will be dead. Yesterday I knew everything. Today I know nothing. Yesterday I was happy. Today I am wise. Yesterday I prayed. Today I sin. But all yesterdays are steps to the Holy Grail of the middle. The now. The present tense. The holy moment. This day. This moment. This hour. This peace.

The Structure of the Poem

The first thing that stands out about "End, Middle, Beginning" is its structure. The poem is divided into three sections, each marked by a shift in time and circumstance. The first section describes the speaker's past, the second section describes the present, and the third section looks to the future.

This structure is significant because it mirrors the cyclical nature of life. We all have a past, a present, and a future. We all go through changes and transitions. By dividing the poem into these three sections, Sexton is able to capture the essence of what it means to be human.

The Theme of Impermanence

One of the central themes of "End, Middle, Beginning" is impermanence. The poem highlights the fact that everything in life is temporary, that nothing lasts forever. The speaker's roles and relationships change over time, and even her own sense of self evolves.

This theme is reinforced by the repetition of the word "yesterday." Each time the speaker says "yesterday," she is acknowledging that what came before is gone. The word "today" emphasizes the present moment, and the phrase "tomorrow I will be dead" acknowledges the inevitability of our own mortality.

The Holy Grail of the Middle

Perhaps the most interesting aspect of "End, Middle, Beginning" is the idea of the "Holy Grail of the middle." The speaker suggests that all of the yesterdays are steps that lead to the present moment, which she describes as holy.

This idea of the present moment as holy is a common theme in spiritual and religious traditions. Many believe that the key to happiness and enlightenment is to live in the present moment, to be mindful and aware of the here and now. By referring to the present moment as the "holy moment," Sexton is tapping into this idea.

The Importance of Now

The final lines of the poem emphasize the importance of the present moment. The speaker says, "This day. / This moment. / This hour. / This peace." By repeating the word "this," she is drawing the reader's attention to the present moment. She is saying that this is what matters most, that this moment is all we really have.

This idea is related to the theme of impermanence. If everything is temporary, then the only thing that really matters is what is happening right now. The past is gone, and the future is uncertain. All we have is this moment.

The Role of the Reader

In many ways, "End, Middle, Beginning" is a poem that requires active participation from the reader. The structure of the poem, with its three distinct sections, invites the reader to think about their own past, present, and future. The themes of impermanence and the importance of the present moment are universal, and readers can relate to them on a personal level.

The repetition of the words "yesterday" and "today" also draws the reader in. As we read the poem, we are forced to reflect on our own lives and the changes we have experienced. We are asked to consider what is truly important and to appreciate the present moment.

Conclusion

"End, Middle, Beginning" is a poem that is both simple and profound. Its structure invites the reader to reflect on their own life, and its themes of impermanence and the importance of the present moment are universal. Anne Sexton's confessional style of writing adds an extra layer of meaning to the poem, as we know that she wrote from personal experience.

Overall, "End, Middle, Beginning" is a powerful reminder to appreciate the present moment, to let go of the past, and to embrace the uncertainty of the future. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both timeless and deeply personal.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and stir the soul. It is a medium that allows us to express our deepest thoughts and feelings in a way that is both beautiful and profound. Anne Sexton, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was a master of this art form. Her poem "End, Middle, Beginning" is a perfect example of her ability to capture the essence of human experience in a few short lines.

The poem begins with the line "I have ended up with my mother's cats." This simple statement sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a statement of fact, but it is also a metaphor for the speaker's life. The cats represent the things that we inherit from our parents, both good and bad. They are a reminder that we are not just individuals, but part of a larger family and community.

The second line of the poem, "I have ended up with my mother's cats," is a repetition of the first line. This repetition is a common technique used in poetry to emphasize a point. In this case, the repetition serves to reinforce the idea that the speaker is not alone in her experience. She is part of a larger group of people who have inherited their parents' traits and characteristics.

The third line of the poem, "They are not easy to live with," is a statement of fact. Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows that they can be difficult pets to care for. However, this line also has a deeper meaning. It suggests that the things we inherit from our parents are not always easy to deal with. They can be a burden that we must learn to carry.

The fourth line of the poem, "I have ended up with my mother's cats," is another repetition of the first two lines. This repetition serves to reinforce the idea that the speaker is not alone in her experience. She is part of a larger group of people who have inherited their parents' traits and characteristics.

The fifth line of the poem, "In the beginning, they were kittens," is a reference to the past. It suggests that the cats were once young and innocent, just like the speaker and her mother. However, as they grew older, they became more difficult to deal with. This line is a reminder that we all start out as innocent children, but as we grow older, we become more complex and difficult to understand.

The sixth line of the poem, "In the middle, they were cats," is a reference to the present. It suggests that the cats are no longer young and innocent, but have become fully grown and set in their ways. This line is a reminder that we all go through stages in our lives. We start out as children, grow into adults, and eventually become elderly. Each stage has its own challenges and rewards.

The seventh line of the poem, "In the end, they are still cats," is a reference to the future. It suggests that no matter what happens, the cats will always be cats. This line is a reminder that no matter how much we change and grow, we are still the same person at our core. We may have different experiences and perspectives, but we are still fundamentally the same.

The eighth line of the poem, "My mother, I suppose, ended up with me," is a reference to the speaker's own life. It suggests that just as the speaker has inherited her mother's cats, her mother has also inherited her. This line is a reminder that we are all connected to our families and communities in ways that we may not fully understand.

The ninth line of the poem, "In the beginning, I was an infant," is a reference to the speaker's own past. It suggests that she, like the cats, started out as a young and innocent creature. This line is a reminder that we all start out as helpless infants, dependent on others for our survival.

The tenth line of the poem, "In the middle, I was a daughter," is a reference to the present. It suggests that the speaker has grown into a mature adult who is now responsible for caring for her own mother. This line is a reminder that we all have roles to play in our families and communities.

The eleventh line of the poem, "In the end, I am still a daughter," is a reference to the future. It suggests that no matter what happens, the speaker will always be her mother's daughter. This line is a reminder that our relationships with our families and communities are enduring and unbreakable.

The final line of the poem, "A little black cat asleep in my lap," is a reference to the present moment. It suggests that despite all of the challenges and complexities of life, there are still moments of peace and contentment to be found. This line is a reminder that even in the midst of chaos and turmoil, there is always a place of refuge and comfort.

In conclusion, "End, Middle, Beginning" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the essence of human experience. It reminds us that we are all connected to our families and communities in ways that we may not fully understand. It also reminds us that no matter what happens, there are still moments of peace and contentment to be found. Anne Sexton was a master of her craft, and this poem is a testament to her ability to capture the beauty and complexity of life in a few short lines.

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