'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 Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Poem
Anne Sexton is a name that is synonymous with confessional poetry, one which has left an indelible mark on the literary world. Her poem, Dreaming the Breasts, is no exception. It is an intimate exploration of the female body, one that delves into the psyche of a woman and her relationship with her own body. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we shall explore the various themes and motifs present in the poem and their significance. So buckle up and let's dive in!
The Poem: An Overview
Before we delve deeper into the poem, let us take a moment to appreciate its structure and form. Dreaming the Breasts is a sonnet, a form of poetry that originated in Italy and is characterized by its 14-line structure, iambic pentameter, and rhyme scheme. Sexton, however, takes a unique approach to the sonnet form, deviating from the traditional rhyme scheme and instead using a free verse structure. This deviation from the norm is symbolic of the poet's desire to break free from societal expectations and norms.
The Themes and Motifs in Dreaming the Breasts
The Female Body
The most prominent theme in the poem is the female body. Sexton uses vivid imagery and metaphors to describe the female form, specifically the breasts. The first stanza of the poem reads:
A pillowcase full of snow.
Oh, the soft and white of it.
Oh, the snowballs dotted with red
Of crowns bleeding on the snow.
The use of the metaphor of snow to describe the breasts is significant as it represents purity, innocence, and beauty. The "snowballs dotted with red" is a reference to the nipples, which are often likened to cherries or berries. The use of the color red is symbolic of passion, desire, and sexuality, which contrasts with the purity and innocence of the snow.
Sexton goes on to explore different aspects of the female body, such as its curves, softness, and vulnerability. The line "the curve of them with the moon wishing to slice them" is a stark reminder of the violence that women face in a patriarchal society. The use of the moon as a metaphor for male aggression is significant as it represents power and dominance.
Sexuality
Sexuality is another prominent theme in the poem. Sexton uses sexual imagery and metaphors to describe the female body, such as "the nipples that grew on my chest / like pimples when I was thirteen" and "the softest buds / that pressure could coax into bloom." The use of the word "pressure" is significant as it represents the societal expectations placed on women to conform to traditional gender roles and to be sexual objects for men.
The line "you know how it is when you go under / a whirling fan" is a metaphor for sexual arousal and desire. The use of the fan as a metaphor is significant as it represents the male gaze and the pressure that women feel to be sexually desirable.
Motherhood
Motherhood is another significant theme in the poem. Sexton explores the relationship between a mother and her child, specifically the bond between mother and daughter. The line "my mother held me naked on her lap" is a poignant reminder of the intimacy and closeness between mother and child. The use of the word "naked" is significant as it represents vulnerability and openness.
Sexton goes on to explore the idea of the female body as a vessel for motherhood, stating "now I see myself as a bulging belly." The use of the word "bulging" is significant as it represents the physical transformation that a woman undergoes during pregnancy. The line "my breasts have swollen" further emphasizes this point, as it highlights the physical changes that occur in a woman's body during pregnancy.
The Significance of Dreaming the Breasts
Dreaming the Breasts is a powerful poem that explores various themes and motifs, such as the female body, sexuality, and motherhood. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and metaphors is both poignant and evocative, transporting the reader into the psyche of a woman and her relationship with her own body. The poem is a testament to the power of confessional poetry and its ability to connect with readers on a deep and personal level.
In conclusion, Dreaming the Breasts is an important piece of literature that deserves recognition for its exploration of the female body and its significance in society. It is a reminder of the beauty and power of women, and a call to break free from societal expectations and norms. As readers, we can only hope to continue to learn from Sexton's work and use it as a source of inspiration for our own lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dreaming The Breasts: A Poem of Feminine Power and Desire
Anne Sexton’s poem Dreaming The Breasts is a powerful and evocative exploration of feminine desire and the complexities of the female body. Written in Sexton’s signature confessional style, the poem is a deeply personal and intimate reflection on the experience of being a woman, and the ways in which the female body is both celebrated and objectified in our culture.
At its core, Dreaming The Breasts is a celebration of the female body and the power it holds. The poem begins with a dream sequence in which the speaker imagines herself as a goddess, with breasts that are “two enormous roses” and a body that is “a temple of fire”. This imagery is both sensual and powerful, evoking the idea of the female body as a source of beauty and strength.
Throughout the poem, Sexton explores the ways in which the female body is both celebrated and objectified in our culture. She writes of the “breasts that have been worshipped and despised”, highlighting the complex and often contradictory attitudes towards the female form. The speaker also reflects on her own experiences of being objectified, describing how she has been “pinched and prodded and poked” by men who see her as nothing more than a sexual object.
Despite these experiences, however, the speaker remains defiant and proud of her body. She writes of how her breasts are “my own, my love, my hunger”, reclaiming them as a source of personal power and desire. This theme of reclaiming the female body is central to the poem, and is a powerful statement of feminist empowerment.
One of the most striking aspects of Dreaming The Breasts is its use of vivid and sensual imagery. Sexton’s language is rich and evocative, painting a vivid picture of the female body and its many complexities. She writes of the “softness and the hardness” of breasts, and the “sweetness and the salt” of the female body. This imagery is both sensual and powerful, evoking the idea of the female body as a source of both pleasure and strength.
The poem also explores the idea of feminine desire, and the ways in which it is often suppressed or ignored in our culture. The speaker describes how she has “dreamed of breasts all my life”, highlighting the deep and primal nature of female desire. She also writes of how her breasts are “a hunger that is never satisfied”, suggesting that feminine desire is a powerful and insatiable force.
Despite the power of this desire, however, the speaker is also aware of the ways in which it can be dangerous. She writes of how men have “come to suckle at my breasts”, highlighting the ways in which female desire can be exploited and used against women. This tension between desire and danger is a central theme of the poem, and is a powerful reflection on the complexities of female sexuality.
In conclusion, Dreaming The Breasts is a powerful and evocative exploration of feminine desire and the complexities of the female body. Through its use of vivid and sensual imagery, the poem celebrates the power and beauty of the female form, while also acknowledging the ways in which it is often objectified and exploited in our culture. Ultimately, however, the poem is a statement of feminist empowerment, reclaiming the female body as a source of personal power and desire.
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