'Cockroach' by Anne Sexton
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Roach, foulest of creatures,
who attacks with yellow teeth
and an army of cousins big as shoes,
you are lumps of coal that are mechanized
and when I turn on the light you scuttle
into the corners and there is this hiss upon the land.
Yet I know you are only the common angel
turned into, by way of enchantment, the ugliest.
Your uncle was made into an apple.
Your aunt was made into a Siamese cat,
all the rest were made into butterflies
but because you lied to God outrightly--
told him that all things on earth were in order--
He turned his wrath upon you and said,
I will make you the most loathsome,
I will make you into God's lie,
and never will a little girl fondle you
or hold your dark wings cupped in her palm.But that was not true. Once in New Orleans
with a group of students a roach fled across
the floor and I shrieked and she picked it up
in her hands and held it from my fear for one hour.
And held it like a diamond ring that should not escape.
These days even the devil is getting overturned
and held up to the light like a glass of water.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cockroach: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry
Anne Sexton's "Cockroach" is a powerful and disturbing poem that delves into the depths of human despair and hopelessness. With its bleak imagery, raw language, and brutal honesty, "Cockroach" is a classic example of confessional poetry, a genre that Sexton helped to create and popularize in the 1960s and 70s. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret "Cockroach" in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, language, and structure, and demonstrating why it is a masterpiece of confessional poetry.
Background and Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Anne Sexton was a highly influential poet who rose to fame in the 1960s and 70s, along with other confessional poets such as Sylvia Plath and Robert Lowell. Sexton's poetry was deeply personal and often dealt with taboo subjects such as mental illness, suicide, and sexual abuse. She was known for her bold and controversial style, which pushed the boundaries of what was considered acceptable in poetry at the time.
"Cockroach" was written in 1961, at a time when Sexton was struggling with depression and alcoholism. The poem was published in her first collection, "To Bedlam and Part Way Back," which received critical acclaim and established Sexton as a major voice in American poetry. "Cockroach" is one of the most famous and frequently anthologized poems from the collection, and it has been interpreted in a variety of ways by critics and readers over the years.
Themes and Symbols
At its core, "Cockroach" is a poem about despair, isolation, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. The speaker of the poem is a woman who is trapped in a room with a cockroach, and the two of them become symbolic representations of the human condition. The cockroach represents the ugliness, filth, and decay of the world, while the speaker represents the human desire for beauty, love, and transcendence.
One of the main themes of the poem is the tension between life and death. The speaker is acutely aware of her mortality, and she is haunted by the fear that her life has no purpose or meaning. She says, "I am a victim of the world, Vainly seeking the perfect hour." She is searching for something that she cannot find, and the cockroach seems to embody the futility of her search. The cockroach is a symbol of death and decay, but it also represents the resilience and persistence of life. The fact that the cockroach is still alive, despite the harsh conditions of the room, is a reminder that even in the face of death, life continues.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of confinement and isolation. The speaker is trapped in the room with the cockroach, and she feels powerless and trapped. She says, "I am the prisoner of the insomniac night, Desperately struggling against the slack walls." The walls of the room are a metaphor for the limitations and boundaries that we all face in life. The speaker is unable to escape from the room, just as we are unable to escape from the constraints of our own existence. The cockroach, on the other hand, is able to move freely within the room, and it seems to mock the speaker's confinement.
Language and Structure
One of the most striking features of "Cockroach" is its raw and visceral language. Sexton does not shy away from the dark and brutal aspects of the human experience, and her language is often graphic and disturbing. She uses vivid imagery to describe the cockroach, saying that it is "black as a devil's boot," and that it has "a body like a section of pipe." The language is both poetic and grotesque, creating a sense of dissonance and unease that is characteristic of confessional poetry.
The structure of the poem is also worth noting. It is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. The lines are short and fragmented, creating a sense of urgency and tension. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which contains seven lines. The repetition of this structure creates a sense of symmetry and balance, even as the content of the poem becomes increasingly chaotic and unsettling.
Interpretation and Criticism
The interpretation of "Cockroach" is not straightforward, and it has been the subject of much debate and analysis over the years. Some critics see the poem as a meditation on the inevitability of death, while others view it as a commentary on the human condition. Some have even suggested that the cockroach represents Sexton herself, and that the poem is a reflection of her own struggles with mental illness and addiction.
One of the criticisms of the poem is that it is too bleak and nihilistic. Some readers have argued that the poem offers no hope or redemption, and that it is a reflection of Sexton's own despair. Others have countered that the poem is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit, and that it offers a message of hope in the face of adversity.
Another criticism of the poem is that it is too focused on the individual, and that it fails to address broader social or political issues. Some readers have argued that confessional poetry is inherently narcissistic and self-indulgent, and that it ignores the larger issues that affect society as a whole.
Despite these criticisms, "Cockroach" remains a powerful and influential poem that has stood the test of time. Its raw and honest language, its bleak imagery, and its exploration of the human condition have made it a classic example of confessional poetry. Whether we see it as a reflection of Sexton's own struggles or as a commentary on the human experience, "Cockroach" continues to resonate with readers today.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's "Cockroach" is a masterful work of confessional poetry that explores the themes of despair, isolation, and the search for meaning in a meaningless world. Through its raw language and vivid imagery, the poem offers a bleak but powerful reflection on the human condition. While it may not offer easy answers or solutions, "Cockroach" remains a testament to the power of poetry to confront the darkest aspects of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Cockroach: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, a renowned American poet, is known for her confessional style of poetry that deals with themes of mental illness, death, and personal struggles. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Cockroach," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of her unique style and voice.
The poem begins with the speaker encountering a cockroach in her kitchen. Instead of killing it, she observes it closely and sees it as a symbol of poetry. The cockroach, like poetry, is resilient and survives in the face of adversity. It is a creature that is often despised and overlooked, yet it persists and thrives.
Sexton uses vivid imagery to describe the cockroach, comparing it to a "black beetle with burnished wings" and a "jewel on wheels." She also notes its ability to survive in harsh conditions, such as "the sink's fetid drain" and "the cupboard's narrow shelf." The cockroach becomes a metaphor for the power of poetry to endure and thrive in difficult circumstances.
The speaker then reflects on the nature of poetry itself. She notes that poetry is often seen as a luxury, something that is not necessary for survival. However, she argues that poetry is essential for the human spirit. It is a way to connect with others and to express the deepest parts of ourselves. Poetry, like the cockroach, is resilient and enduring.
Sexton's use of metaphor and imagery in this poem is masterful. She takes a creature that is often reviled and transforms it into a symbol of beauty and resilience. The cockroach becomes a metaphor for the power of poetry to survive and thrive in difficult circumstances.
The poem also speaks to the importance of poetry in our lives. In a world that often values practicality and efficiency over beauty and art, Sexton reminds us of the essential role that poetry plays in our lives. It is a way to connect with others and to express the deepest parts of ourselves. Poetry, like the cockroach, is essential for our survival.
Sexton's use of language in this poem is also noteworthy. She uses simple, direct language to convey complex ideas. The poem is accessible and easy to understand, yet it is also profound and thought-provoking. Sexton's ability to use language in this way is a testament to her skill as a poet.
In conclusion, "Poetry Cockroach" is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton's unique style and voice. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, she transforms a creature that is often reviled into a symbol of beauty and resilience. The poem speaks to the essential role that poetry plays in our lives and reminds us of its power to connect us with others and to express the deepest parts of ourselves. Sexton's use of language is also noteworthy, as she uses simple, direct language to convey complex ideas. Overall, "Poetry Cockroach" is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in her work.
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