'The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator' by Anne Sexton

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The end of the affair is always death.

She's my workshop. Slippery eye,

out of the tribe of myself my breath

finds you gone. I horrify

those who stand by. I am fed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Finger to finger, now she's mine.

She's not too far. She's my encounter.

I beat her like a bell. I recline

in the bower where you used to mount her.

You borrowed me on the flowered spread.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Take for instance this night, my love,

that every single couple puts together

with a joint overturning, beneath, above,

the abundant two on sponge and feather,

kneeling and pushing, head to head.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

I break out of my body this way,

an annoying miracle. Could I

put the dream market on display?

I am spread out. I crucify.

My little plum is what you said.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Then my black-eyed rival came.

The lady of water, rising on the beach,

a piano at her fingertips, shame

on her lips and a flute's speech.

And I was the knock-kneed broom instead.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

She took you the way a women takes

a bargain dress off the rack

and I broke the way a stone breaks.

I give back your books and fishing tack.

Today's paper says that you are wed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

The boys and girls are one tonight.

They unbutton blouses. They unzip flies.

They take off shoes. They turn off the light.

The glimmering creatures are full of lies.

They are eating each other. They are overfed.

At night, alone, I marry the bed.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator: A Literary Analysis

The Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator is a poem by Anne Sexton that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and self-discovery. Published in 1972, it is one of Sexton's most well-known poems and is often cited as an example of her confessional style. In this literary analysis, we will examine the poem's structure, imagery, and language to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.

Structure

The Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator is written in free verse, which means it does not follow a strict structure or rhyme scheme. Instead, it is divided into five stanzas of varying lengths. Each stanza is composed of several lines that are not necessarily of the same length or meter. This lack of structure mirrors the speaker's sense of isolation and disconnection from the world around her.

The poem's title is also significant. A ballad is a narrative poem that tells a story, often set to music. The word "lonely" suggests a sense of isolation, while "masturbator" is a term that is usually kept hidden or taboo. By putting these two words together, Sexton creates a sense of tension and discomfort that is present throughout the poem.

Imagery

The poem is filled with vivid and sometimes shocking imagery that serves to underscore the speaker's sense of isolation and desperation. For example, in the first stanza, the speaker describes herself as "a woman who is a woman / is the master of her own body." This image is powerful because it suggests that the speaker is in control of her own sexuality, but also implies that she is alone in this control. She is the "master" of her own body, but there is no one else to share it with.

Later in the poem, the speaker describes her body as "a valley / that has been sealed up / and abandoned." This image is striking because it suggests that the speaker's body is like a barren wasteland, cut off from the rest of the world. The word "abandoned" suggests that the speaker's body was once a place of life and activity, but is now empty and desolate.

Language

One of the most striking aspects of The Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator is its use of language. Sexton's language is often coarse and explicit, which serves to underscore the poem's themes of isolation and taboo. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes herself as "a woman who loves herself" and "a woman who masturbates." These words are not usually associated with poetry and are somewhat shocking to read.

However, Sexton's language also has a lyrical quality that is reminiscent of music. For example, in the third stanza, she writes:

I am the one who leaves the table like a dirty book. She is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out.

This passage is both beautiful and haunting. The imagery of leaving the table like a dirty book is evocative, while the line "She is the one who comes in when the whole world has gone out" suggests that the speaker is alone and disconnected from the rest of the world.

Themes

The Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator explores several themes, including isolation, loneliness, and self-discovery. The poem is an exploration of the speaker's inner world and her struggle to connect with others. She is alone, but she is also in control, and this sense of control is both empowering and isolating.

One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is its use of taboo subjects. Masturbation is a topic that is rarely discussed in polite company, and yet Sexton's poem puts it front and center. This creates a sense of discomfort for the reader, but it also serves to highlight the speaker's sense of isolation and desperation.

Conclusion

The Ballad of the Lonely Masturbator is a powerful and haunting poem that explores themes of isolation, loneliness, and self-discovery. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and explicit language creates a sense of tension and discomfort that is both disturbing and compelling. The poem is a reminder that the most personal and intimate aspects of our lives can also be the most isolating. However, it is also a celebration of self-discovery and a reminder that we are all capable of finding our own way, even in the darkest of times.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator: A Poem That Explores The Depths Of Human Loneliness

Anne Sexton's The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator is a poem that explores the depths of human loneliness in a way that is both raw and unapologetic. The poem is a powerful and evocative piece of writing that delves into the psyche of a person who is struggling with feelings of isolation and despair.

At its core, The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator is a poem about the human need for connection and intimacy. The speaker of the poem is a person who is deeply lonely and who has turned to masturbation as a way of coping with their feelings of isolation. The poem is written in a ballad form, which gives it a sense of rhythm and musicality that is both haunting and beautiful.

The poem begins with the speaker describing their experience of masturbation. They describe the act as a kind of ritual, something that they do in order to feel a sense of connection to themselves and to the world around them. The speaker describes the physical sensations of masturbation in vivid detail, using language that is both sensual and poetic.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's feelings of loneliness become more pronounced. They describe themselves as being "alone in this house" and as feeling "like a bird in a cage." The imagery in these lines is powerful and evocative, conveying a sense of confinement and isolation that is palpable.

Despite their feelings of loneliness, the speaker continues to masturbate. They describe the act as a kind of escape, a way of transcending their physical and emotional limitations. The language in these lines is both beautiful and haunting, conveying a sense of desperation and longing that is almost palpable.

As the poem reaches its climax, the speaker's feelings of loneliness become overwhelming. They describe themselves as being "lost in the dark" and as feeling "like a ghost." The imagery in these lines is powerful and evocative, conveying a sense of despair and hopelessness that is almost overwhelming.

Despite their feelings of despair, however, the speaker continues to masturbate. They describe the act as a kind of defiance, a way of asserting their own agency and autonomy in the face of their loneliness. The language in these lines is both powerful and empowering, conveying a sense of strength and resilience that is almost palpable.

In the final lines of the poem, the speaker describes themselves as being "alone with the night" and as feeling "like a queen." The imagery in these lines is both beautiful and haunting, conveying a sense of power and majesty that is almost otherworldly.

Overall, The Ballad Of The Lonely Masturbator is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the depths of human loneliness in a way that is both raw and unapologetic. The poem is a testament to the human need for connection and intimacy, and to the power of the human spirit to transcend even the most profound feelings of isolation and despair.

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