'The Fury Of Jewels And Coal' by Anne Sexton
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Many a miner has gone
into the deep pit
to receive the dust of a kiss,
an ore-cell.
He has gone with his lamp
full of mole eyes
deep deep and has brought forth
Jesus at Gethsemane.
Body of moss, body of glass,
body of peat, how sharp
you lie, emerald as heavy
as a golf course, ruby as dark
as an afterbirth,
diamond as white as sun
on the sea, coal, dark mother,
brood mother, let the sea birds
bring you into our lives
as from a distant island,
heavy as death.
Submitted by RW
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fury of Jewels and Coal: A Literary Criticism
Oh, Anne Sexton, what a poet! What a masterful way of using words to convey emotions! The Fury of Jewels and Coal is a classic poem that has touched the hearts of many readers. In this literary criticism, we'll explore the themes, style, and symbolism in the poem and try to understand the deeper meaning behind it. So, let's dive right in!
Background Information
First, let's get some context. The Fury of Jewels and Coal was written by Anne Sexton, an American poet who was born in 1928 and died in 1974. She is known for her confessional poetry, which deals with personal and intimate subjects, such as mental illness, suicide, and her own experiences with abuse and trauma. The Fury of Jewels and Coal is no exception, as it explores the theme of self-harm and the desire for self-destruction.
Themes
The Fury of Jewels and Coal is a complex poem that deals with several themes. The most obvious one is self-harm, as the speaker describes the act of cutting herself with a razor blade. However, the poem goes beyond that and touches on the theme of addiction, as the speaker compares the act of self-harm to a drug addiction. She also explores the theme of beauty, as she uses the metaphor of jewels and coal to describe the contrasting feelings of pleasure and pain that come with self-harm.
Another major theme in the poem is the speaker's inner turmoil and the struggle to find a way out of her pain. She describes herself as a "prisoner of the flesh" and a "slave to the razor blade," which shows that she feels trapped in her own body and unable to control her actions. This theme of helplessness and desperation is reinforced by the repeated use of the word "fury," which suggests a sense of uncontrollable rage and anger.
Style
Anne Sexton's style in The Fury of Jewels and Coal is characterized by its rawness and intensity. She uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. For example, she describes the act of cutting herself as "a small explosion" and "a tiny volcano," which creates a sense of violence and danger. She also uses contrasting images, such as "jewels" and "coal," to show the conflicting emotions that the speaker feels.
Sexton's style is also characterized by its use of repetition and rhythm. She repeats the word "fury" several times throughout the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and desperation. The poem also has a strong rhythm, with each line consisting of six syllables, which gives it a sense of musicality and flow.
Symbolism
One of the most striking aspects of The Fury of Jewels and Coal is its use of symbolism. The title itself is a metaphor, as jewels represent beauty and pleasure, while coal represents darkness and pain. This contrast between light and dark is echoed throughout the poem, as the speaker describes the pleasure of cutting herself and the pain that comes with it.
Another important symbol in the poem is the razor blade. It represents both the source of the speaker's pain and the means of her escape. She describes it as a "silver key" that unlocks a door to a world of "jewels and coal." This symbolizes the speaker's desire to escape from her pain and find a world of beauty and pleasure, even if it means hurting herself in the process.
Interpretation
So, what does The Fury of Jewels and Coal mean? Well, there's no single answer to that question, as the poem can be interpreted in different ways depending on the reader's perspective. However, one possible interpretation is that the poem is a reflection of the speaker's struggles with mental illness and self-harm.
The speaker describes herself as a "prisoner of the flesh" and a "slave to the razor blade," which suggests that she feels trapped in her own body and unable to control her actions. This could be interpreted as a symptom of a mental illness, such as depression or borderline personality disorder. The repeated use of the word "fury" also suggests a sense of anger and intense emotions, which are common symptoms of these disorders.
The use of the metaphor of jewels and coal could also be interpreted as a reflection of the speaker's inner conflict. She desires beauty and pleasure, but at the same time, she is consumed by pain and darkness. This could represent the conflicting emotions that people with mental illness often experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Fury of Jewels and Coal is a powerful poem that explores the themes of self-harm, addiction, beauty, and inner turmoil. Anne Sexton's style and use of symbolism create a vivid and intense portrait of the speaker's emotions and experiences. While the poem is open to interpretation, it can be seen as a reflection of mental illness and the struggles that come with it. Overall, The Fury of Jewels and Coal is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fury of Jewels and Coal: A Masterpiece by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her confessional style of writing. Her poems often deal with themes of mental illness, death, and sexuality. In her poem, "The Fury of Jewels and Coal," Sexton explores the complex relationship between beauty and darkness.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scene of opulence and luxury. She talks about a room filled with jewels, diamonds, and pearls. The imagery is vivid and extravagant, with descriptions of "a chandelier of stars" and "a carpet of rubies." The speaker seems to be in awe of this beauty, but there is also a sense of unease.
As the poem progresses, the tone shifts from wonder to fear. The speaker begins to see the darker side of this beauty. She describes the jewels as "cold as ice" and the diamonds as "sharp as knives." The imagery becomes more violent, with references to "a necklace of skulls" and "a bracelet of bones."
The speaker seems to be grappling with the idea that beauty can be dangerous. She is drawn to the jewels and the opulence, but she is also aware of the darkness that lies beneath the surface. The poem can be read as a commentary on the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of beauty at any cost.
The title of the poem, "The Fury of Jewels and Coal," is significant. The contrast between the two elements is striking. Jewels are associated with beauty, wealth, and luxury, while coal is associated with darkness, dirt, and poverty. The title suggests that there is a connection between these two seemingly opposite things.
The poem can also be read as a metaphor for the human psyche. The jewels represent the conscious mind, with its focus on beauty and material possessions. The coal represents the unconscious mind, with its darker, more primitive impulses. The poem suggests that these two parts of the psyche are inextricably linked, and that we must confront the darkness within ourselves if we are to truly appreciate the beauty of the world.
Sexton's use of imagery is particularly effective in this poem. The descriptions of the jewels and the opulence are vivid and extravagant, but there is also a sense of unease and danger. The violent imagery towards the end of the poem is particularly striking, with references to skulls and bones. This creates a sense of tension and unease that is palpable.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The phrase "cold as ice" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of unease and foreboding. The repetition of this phrase suggests that the beauty of the jewels is not all that it seems, and that there is a darker side to this opulence.
The poem is also notable for its use of sound. The alliteration in the phrase "a chandelier of stars" creates a sense of wonder and awe. The repetition of the "s" sound in this phrase is particularly effective in creating a sense of shimmering beauty. The use of onomatopoeia in the phrase "the diamonds click like knives" is also effective in creating a sense of danger and violence.
In conclusion, "The Fury of Jewels and Coal" is a masterpiece of poetry. Anne Sexton's use of imagery, repetition, and sound creates a vivid and powerful portrait of the complex relationship between beauty and darkness. The poem can be read as a commentary on the dangers of materialism and the pursuit of beauty at any cost. It can also be read as a metaphor for the human psyche, with its conscious and unconscious elements. Whatever interpretation one chooses, there is no denying the power and beauty of this poem.
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