'Dreaming The Breasts' by Anne Sexton
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Mother,
strange goddess face
above my milk home,
that delicate asylum,
I ate you up.
All my need took
you down like a meal.What you gave
I remember in a dream:
the freckled arms binding me,
the laugh somewhere over my woolly hat,
the blood fingers tying my shoe,
the breasts hanging like two bats
and then darting at me,
bending me down.The breasts I knew at midnight
beat like the sea in me now.
Mother, I put bees in my mouth
to keep from eating
yet it did no good.
In the end they cut off your breasts
and milk poured from them
into the surgeon's hand
and he embraced them.
I took them from him
and planted them.I have put a padlock
on you, Mother, dear dead human,
so that your great bells,
those dear white ponies,
can go galloping, galloping,
wherever you are.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dreaming The Breasts: A Close Reading and Analysis
Anne Sexton’s “Dreaming The Breasts” is a captivating poem that explores the complex relationship between mother and daughter. The poem is an ode to the poet’s mother, who gave birth to her and nurtured her through her formative years. Sexton’s writing is vivid and evocative, and she uses a range of literary techniques to convey her message.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in “Dreaming The Breasts” to create a deeper understanding of the poem’s meaning.
Background
Anne Sexton was a confessional poet who wrote about deeply personal experiences, including her struggles with mental illness, addiction, and suicide. She was born in 1928 in Massachusetts and began writing poetry in the 1950s. Her work was heavily influenced by the confessional movement of the 1950s and 60s, which emphasized personal experiences and emotions.
Sexton’s poetry was controversial for its frank discussions of sex, mental illness, and suicide. However, her work was also celebrated for its honesty and raw emotion. She won a Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1967 and is considered one of the most important poets of the 20th century.
Analysis
Theme
The main theme of “Dreaming The Breasts” is the relationship between mother and daughter. Sexton explores the bond between a mother and child, the love and sacrifice that goes into raising a child, and the complexities of this bond as the child grows up and becomes their own person. The poem also explores the themes of sexuality, femininity, and the passage of time.
Symbols
Sexton uses a range of symbols to convey her message in “Dreaming The Breasts”. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is the breasts, which symbolize femininity, motherhood, and sexuality. The breasts are described as “two cups of coffee” and “two tea cakes” which is suggestive of their shape and size. However, the poet also compares them to “two steel shot” which suggests their strength and resilience.
The second symbol in the poem is the clock, which represents the passage of time. The clock is described as “only a small brass bird” which suggests its fragility and the fleeting nature of time. The clock also represents the mother’s role as a caregiver and the passing of this role to the daughter as she grows up.
Literary Devices
Sexton uses a range of literary devices in “Dreaming The Breasts” to create a vivid and emotional poem. One of the most prominent literary devices in the poem is imagery. The poet uses vivid descriptions of the breasts, clock, and other symbols to create a sensory experience for the reader. For example, she describes the breasts as “two cups of coffee” which creates an image in the reader’s mind.
Sexton also uses metaphor and simile to compare the breasts to other objects. She compares them to “two tea cakes” and “two steel shot” which helps to convey their shape, size, and strength.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase “dreaming the breasts” is repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of rhythm and reinforces the importance of the breasts as a symbol.
Structure
“Dreaming The Breasts” is a free-verse poem, which means it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. However, the poem is divided into six stanzas, each with a different number of lines. This creates a sense of structure and balance in the poem.
The first stanza sets the scene by describing the mother’s breasts and their importance to the daughter. The second stanza introduces the clock and the passing of time. The third stanza explores the daughter’s relationship with her body and her emerging sexuality. The fourth and fifth stanzas describe the daughter’s memories of her mother and the sacrifices she made for her. The final stanza brings the poem full circle by returning to the breasts and their importance to the daughter.
Language
Sexton’s use of language in “Dreaming The Breasts” is both powerful and evocative. She uses simple, everyday language to describe complex emotions and experiences. For example, she describes the breasts as “two cups of coffee” which is a simple, everyday object that most readers can relate to.
The poet also uses a conversational tone throughout the poem, which makes it feel like a personal conversation between the poet and the reader. This tone helps to create a sense of intimacy and emotional connection.
Tone
The tone of “Dreaming The Breasts” is emotional, nostalgic, and introspective. The poet reflects on her relationship with her mother and the importance of the breasts in this relationship. The tone is also sensual, with the poet describing the shape, size, and texture of the breasts in detail.
However, the tone is not overly sentimental or maudlin. The poet acknowledges the difficulties and sacrifices of motherhood, and the passing of time that separates mother and daughter.
Interpretation
“Dreaming The Breasts” is a powerful poem that explores the complex relationship between mother and daughter. The poet uses a range of literary devices, symbols, and language to create a vivid and emotional experience for the reader.
The breasts are the central symbol in the poem, representing femininity, motherhood, and sexuality. The clock represents the passing of time and the changing roles of mother and daughter. The use of imagery, metaphor, and repetition creates a powerful sensory experience for the reader.
The poem is ultimately a celebration of the bond between mother and daughter, and the sacrifices and love that go into raising a child. It is also a reminder of the passage of time, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have with our loved ones.
Overall, “Dreaming The Breasts” is a poignant and powerful poem that speaks to the universal experience of motherhood and the complex relationships between mothers and daughters. It is a testament to Anne Sexton’s skill as a poet and her ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through her writing.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dreaming The Breasts: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Classic Poetry
Anne Sexton is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style and raw, emotional writing. Her poem "Dreaming The Breasts" is a prime example of her unique voice and ability to capture the complexities of human experience. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker dreaming of her breasts, which have become "two white apples" that she can hold in her hands. This image is both sensual and innocent, evoking the idea of fruit as a symbol of fertility and abundance. The speaker's fascination with her own body is a common theme in Sexton's work, as she often explores the ways in which women are objectified and commodified in society.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's dream becomes more surreal and fantastical. She imagines her breasts growing wings and flying away, leaving her feeling empty and alone. This image can be interpreted as a metaphor for the loss of femininity or the fear of losing one's sexuality. The idea of breasts as a symbol of femininity is deeply ingrained in our culture, and the speaker's dream reflects the anxiety that many women feel about their bodies and their place in the world.
The poem takes a darker turn as the speaker imagines her breasts being cut off and thrown away. This image is violent and disturbing, and it speaks to the fear of mutilation and disfigurement that many women experience. The speaker's breasts are no longer a symbol of beauty or fertility, but rather a source of pain and trauma.
Despite the darkness of the poem, there is a sense of hope and resilience in the final lines. The speaker declares that she will "grow new breasts" and that they will be "stronger and firmer" than before. This image of regeneration and renewal is a powerful one, and it speaks to the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
One of the most striking aspects of "Dreaming The Breasts" is its use of language and imagery. Sexton's writing is vivid and evocative, and she uses a variety of metaphors and symbols to convey the complex emotions of the speaker. The image of the breasts as "two white apples" is particularly effective, as it captures both the sensuality and the innocence of the speaker's dream.
The use of surreal imagery is also notable in the poem. The idea of breasts growing wings and flying away is a fantastical one, but it serves to underscore the speaker's sense of loss and disconnection. Similarly, the image of the breasts being cut off and thrown away is a disturbing one, but it speaks to the very real fear that many women have about their bodies and their safety.
Another important aspect of the poem is its exploration of gender and sexuality. The speaker's fascination with her own body is a reflection of the way in which women are often objectified and commodified in our culture. The fear of losing one's femininity or sexuality is also a common theme in Sexton's work, as she explores the ways in which women are constrained by societal expectations and norms.
In conclusion, "Dreaming The Breasts" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of human experience. Through its use of language and imagery, it conveys the fear, anxiety, and resilience of the speaker in the face of adversity. It is a testament to Anne Sexton's unique voice and her ability to capture the essence of the human condition in her writing.
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