'Anna Who Was Mad' by Anne Sexton

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Anna who was mad,
I have a knife in my armpit.
When I stand on tiptoe I tap out messages.
Am I some sort of infection?
Did I make you go insane?
Did I make the sounds go sour?
Did I tell you to climb out the window?
Forgive. Forgive.
Say not I did.
Say not.
Say.Speak Mary-words into our pillow.
Take me the gangling twelve-year-old
into your sunken lap.
Whisper like a buttercup.
Eat me. Eat me up like cream pudding.
Take me in.
Take me.
Take.Give me a report on the condition of my soul.
Give me a complete statement of my actions.
Hand me a jack-in-the-pulpit and let me listen in.
Put me in the stirrups and bring a tour group through.
Number my sins on the grocery list and let me buy.
Did I make you go insane?
Did I turn up your earphone and let a siren drive through?
Did I open the door for the mustached psychiatrist
who dragged you out like a gold cart?
Did I make you go insane?
From the grave write me, Anna!
You are nothing but ashes but nevertheless
pick up the Parker Pen I gave you.
Write me.
Write.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Anna Who Was Mad: A Critical Interpretation

Anne Sexton's poem Anna Who Was Mad is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It is a deeply personal and powerful work that explores the themes of mental illness, societal norms, and the human condition. In this analysis, I will examine the poem in detail and provide a critical interpretation of its meaning and significance.

The Setting

The poem is set in a mental institution where the protagonist, Anna, has been placed due to her erratic behavior. The institution is described as a "funny farm," a derogatory term that highlights the stigma and lack of understanding surrounding mental illness in the mid-20th century. Anna is described as being "locked up," emphasizing the oppressive nature of the institution and the lack of agency afforded to its patients.

The Structure

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first and third stanzas are written in free verse, while the second stanza adheres to a more traditional rhyming scheme (ABCBDD). This contrast in structure highlights the chaotic nature of Anna's thoughts and experiences, while also providing a moment of stability in the middle of the poem.

The Language

Sexton's use of language is both raw and powerful. She employs vivid imagery to describe Anna's experiences, such as "the wind tickles her armpit hair" and "she is a broomstick woman." These images are both jarring and evocative, painting a vivid picture of Anna's mental state. The repeated use of the phrase "Anna who was mad" emphasizes the societal stigma surrounding mental illness and the way in which it defines Anna's identity.

The Themes

At its core, Anna Who Was Mad is a meditation on the nature of mental illness and the way in which it is viewed by society. Anna's experiences in the institution highlight the oppressive nature of mental health facilities and the lack of understanding surrounding mental illness. The poem also explores the concept of identity and the ways in which it is shaped by societal norms and expectations.

The Interpretation

On a deeper level, Anna Who Was Mad can be interpreted as a critique of societal norms and expectations. By portraying Anna as a woman who has been driven mad by the constraints of societal expectations, Sexton highlights the ways in which society can be oppressive and limiting. Anna's madness can be seen as a rebellion against these norms, a refusal to conform to the strictures placed upon her by society.

The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of mental illness itself. Anna's experiences in the institution highlight the ways in which mental illness is stigmatized and misunderstood by society. The poem suggests that mental illness is not a personal failing or weakness, but rather a condition that is shaped by societal norms and expectations.

The Significance

Anna Who Was Mad is a significant work of modern poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. It highlights the importance of understanding and empathy when it comes to mental illness, and the ways in which societal norms and expectations can be oppressive and limiting. By giving voice to Anna's experiences, Sexton has created a powerful work that challenges readers to confront their own preconceptions and biases.

In conclusion, Anna Who Was Mad is a masterful work of modern poetry that explores the themes of mental illness, societal norms, and the human condition. By portraying Anna as a woman who has been driven mad by the constraints of societal expectations, Sexton highlights the ways in which society can be oppressive and limiting. The poem is a powerful call to action, urging readers to confront their own biases and prejudices and to strive for greater understanding and empathy.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anna Who Was Mad: A Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Classic Poetry

Anne Sexton's poem "Anna Who Was Mad" is a haunting and powerful piece of literature that explores the complexities of mental illness and the societal stigmas that surround it. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, Sexton takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a woman who has been labeled as "mad" by those around her. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes and symbolism present in this classic poem, and explore the ways in which Sexton's words continue to resonate with readers today.

The poem begins with the line "Anna who was mad, I have a knife in my armpit." This opening line immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it is both jarring and unsettling. The use of the word "mad" to describe Anna is significant, as it highlights the way in which society often labels those with mental illness as "crazy" or "insane." This label can be incredibly damaging, as it can lead to further isolation and stigmatization.

As the poem continues, Sexton uses vivid and often disturbing imagery to convey Anna's state of mind. She describes Anna as having "a black knife in her side" and "a white knife in her throat." These images are both violent and unsettling, and they serve to highlight the pain and turmoil that Anna is experiencing. The use of the color black to describe the knife in Anna's side is significant, as it symbolizes darkness and despair. The white knife in her throat, on the other hand, represents the silence that often surrounds mental illness. Many people who struggle with mental illness feel as though they cannot speak openly about their experiences, and this can lead to further isolation and shame.

Throughout the poem, Sexton also explores the idea of control. Anna is described as having "a knife in her armpit" and "a knife in her side," which suggests that she is in control of her own pain. However, she is also described as being "tied to a tree" and "chained to a rock," which suggests that she is also trapped and unable to escape her own suffering. This duality is significant, as it highlights the way in which mental illness can be both a source of power and a source of pain.

Another important theme in the poem is the idea of perception. Anna is described as being "mad," but it is unclear whether this label is accurate or not. Sexton writes, "Anna who was mad, I have a knife in my armpit / and I am laughing and crying at the same time." This line suggests that Anna's emotions are complex and multifaceted, and that her "madness" may be more of a societal construct than a true reflection of her inner state. This idea is further reinforced by the final lines of the poem, which read, "Anna who was mad / is still mad." This line suggests that Anna's label as "mad" is not something that can be easily shed, and that the societal stigmas surrounding mental illness are deeply ingrained.

In addition to these themes, Sexton also employs a number of powerful symbols throughout the poem. The knife, for example, represents both pain and power. The tree and the rock, on the other hand, represent the idea of being trapped and unable to escape. The use of color is also significant, as the black knife represents darkness and despair, while the white knife represents silence and isolation.

Overall, "Anna Who Was Mad" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the complexities of mental illness and the societal stigmas that surround it. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, Sexton takes the reader on a journey into the mind of a woman who has been labeled as "mad" by those around her. The themes and symbols present in the poem continue to resonate with readers today, as mental illness remains a deeply stigmatized and misunderstood issue. By shining a light on the pain and complexity of mental illness, Sexton's words continue to inspire empathy and understanding in readers around the world.

Editor Recommended Sites

Multi Cloud Ops: Multi cloud operations, IAC, git ops, and CI/CD across clouds
Lift and Shift: Lift and shift cloud deployment and migration strategies for on-prem to cloud. Best practice, ideas, governance, policy and frameworks
Neo4j App: Neo4j tutorials for graph app deployment
Ethereum Exchange: Ethereum based layer-2 network protocols for Exchanges. Decentralized exchanges supporting ETH
Macro stock analysis: Macroeconomic tracking of PMIs, Fed hikes, CPI / Core CPI, initial claims, loan officers survey

Recommended Similar Analysis

I Sing The Body Electric by Walt Whitman analysis
Exultation is the going by Emily Dickinson analysis
The Sleepers by Walt Whitman analysis
On A Political Prisoner by William Butler Yeats analysis
Respondez ! by Walt Whitman analysis
The Applicant by Sylvia Plath analysis
The Sun Rising by John Donne analysis
Song To Celia - II by Ben Jonson analysis
Intorduction to the Songs of Experience by William Blake analysis
The Bishop Orders His Tomb At Saint Praxed's Church by Robert Browning analysis