'The Fury Of Abandonment' by Anne Sexton
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Someone lives in a cave
eating his toes,
I know that much.
Someone little lives under a bush
pressing an empty Coca-Cola can against
his starving bloated stomac,
I know that much.
A monkey had his hands cut off
for a medical experiment
and his claws wept.
I know tht much.
I know that it is all
a matter of hands.
Out of the mournful sweetness of touching
comes love
like breakfast.
Out of the many houses come the hands
before the abandonment of the city,
out of hte bars and shops,
a thin file of ants.
I've been abandoned out here
under the dry stars
with no shoes, no belt
and I've called Rescue Inc. -
that old-fashioned hot line -
no voice.
Left to my own lips, touch them,
my own nostrils, shoulders, breasts,
navel, stomach, mound,kneebone, ankle,
touch them.
It makes me laugh
to see a woman in this condition.
It makes me laugh for America and New York city
when your hands are cut off
and no one answers the phone.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fury Of Abandonment: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
by [Your Name]
Have you ever felt abandoned? Have you ever experienced the fury that comes with it? Anne Sexton, a confessional poet, was no stranger to these emotions, and she channeled them into her writing. In her poem "The Fury Of Abandonment," Sexton explores the theme of abandonment and the emotions that come with it.
Background
Anne Sexton's life was full of turmoil and tragedy. She struggled with mental illness, had a tumultuous relationship with her husband, and ultimately died by suicide. However, her writing has left a lasting impact on the world of poetry. She was known for her confessional style, where she openly discussed her personal struggles and experiences.
"The Fury Of Abandonment" was published in 1974, just four years before Sexton's death. It is a relatively short poem, only seven stanzas, but it is packed with emotion and vivid imagery. The poem was part of a larger collection called "The Awful Rowing Toward God."
Literary Criticism
The poem is written in free verse, which means it doesn't adhere to a specific rhyme or rhythm scheme. This allows Sexton to focus on the emotions and imagery rather than conforming to a specific structure. The lack of structure also mirrors the chaos and confusion that comes with abandonment.
The poem is divided into seven stanzas, each with four lines. This creates a sense of repetition and rhythm, even though the poem doesn't adhere to a specific meter. The repetition of the four-line stanzas also mirrors the cyclical nature of the emotions that come with abandonment. The emotions can feel like they are on a constant loop, never-ending.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of violent imagery. Sexton uses words like "hacked," "bludgeoned," and "bashed" to describe the emotions that come with abandonment. This creates a sense of physicality to the emotions, as if they are tangible objects that can be attacked or defeated. The violent imagery also highlights the intensity of the emotions and the impact they can have on a person.
Sexton also uses animal imagery to describe the emotions. In the first stanza, she compares the emotions to "a dog digging a hole." Later in the poem, she compares the emotions to a "flamingo with one leg." These comparisons create a sense of vulnerability and helplessness. Dogs are often seen as loyal and loving creatures, but in this context, they are destructive and uncontrollable. Flamingos are graceful and beautiful, but the image of a flamingo with one leg creates a sense of imbalance and instability.
Interpretation
The poem begins with the line "This is where it begins." This sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a declaration that something is about to happen, and that something is the fury of abandonment. The tone is almost ominous, as if Sexton is warning the reader of what is to come.
The next two stanzas describe the physical and emotional impact of the abandonment. The emotions are compared to a dog digging a hole, which creates a sense of destruction and chaos. The physical impact is described as "my lungs seized up and my stomach went tight." This creates a sense of suffocation and physical pain.
The fourth stanza is where the violent imagery really comes into play. Sexton writes, "I hacked at my wrists/ like a Jew in Germany." This comparison is jarring and creates a sense of horror. The image of a person hacking at their wrists is disturbing enough, but the comparison to the Holocaust adds an extra layer of meaning. It suggests that the emotions that come with abandonment can be just as destructive as the atrocities committed during the Holocaust.
The fifth stanza is a turning point in the poem. Sexton writes, "I stopped loving myself." This line is significant because it suggests that the abandonment has not only affected her relationships with others but also her relationship with herself. She has lost her sense of self-love and is consumed by the emotions that come with abandonment.
The sixth stanza is perhaps the most poignant. Sexton writes, "I became a light bulb/ a small one/ for a company of ghosts/ or the dead/ to shine on." This comparison is both beautiful and tragic. It suggests that Sexton has become a source of light for those who have passed away. The comparison to a light bulb is significant because it suggests that she is not a source of natural light, but rather a manufactured one. She is not shining on her own, but rather for the benefit of others.
The final stanza is a repetition of the first, with one small change. Instead of "This is where it begins," Sexton writes, "This is where it ends." This suggests that the fury of abandonment has run its course, but it also suggests that the cycle will start again. The emotions that come with abandonment are cyclical and never truly end.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton's "The Fury Of Abandonment" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the theme of abandonment. Sexton's use of free verse, repetition, and violent imagery create a sense of chaos and confusion that mirrors the emotions that come with abandonment. The use of animal imagery and comparisons to historical atrocities add extra layers of meaning to the poem. Overall, "The Fury Of Abandonment" is a poignant and heartbreaking exploration of a universal human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fury of Abandonment: A Poem of Despair and Anguish
Anne Sexton, the American poet, is known for her confessional style of writing, which often deals with themes of mental illness, death, and personal struggles. In her poem, The Fury of Abandonment, Sexton explores the emotions of a woman who has been left by her lover. The poem is a powerful expression of despair and anguish, and it captures the intensity of the emotions that arise from abandonment.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the woman's emotions. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, as Sexton describes the woman's initial reaction to being left. She writes, "I am the woman who loves you no more / the woman who has left you behind / the woman who now walks alone." These lines convey a sense of finality and detachment, as if the woman has already moved on from the relationship. However, the next lines reveal the true nature of her emotions: "But my heart is a wild thing / and it beats with a fury of abandonment." Here, Sexton uses the metaphor of a wild heart to describe the woman's intense emotions. The phrase "fury of abandonment" is particularly powerful, as it suggests a rage that is directed both inward and outward.
The second stanza of the poem explores the woman's memories of the relationship. Sexton writes, "I remember the nights we spent together / the way your body felt against mine / the way your breath sounded in the dark." These lines are filled with longing and nostalgia, as the woman remembers the intimacy she shared with her lover. However, the next lines reveal the pain that these memories bring: "But now those memories are like knives / cutting into my heart / reminding me of what I have lost." Here, Sexton uses the metaphor of knives to describe the woman's emotional pain. The memories that were once comforting have become painful reminders of what she has lost.
The final stanza of the poem is the most intense, as Sexton describes the woman's desire for revenge. She writes, "I want to hurt you / the way you have hurt me / I want to make you feel the pain / that I feel every day." These lines are filled with anger and bitterness, as the woman seeks to inflict the same emotional pain that she has experienced. However, the final lines of the poem reveal a sense of resignation: "But I know that revenge will not heal me / it will only make me more like you / and I do not want to be like you." Here, Sexton suggests that revenge is not the answer, and that the woman must find a way to heal herself without resorting to the same destructive behavior as her lover.
Overall, The Fury of Abandonment is a powerful poem that captures the intensity of the emotions that arise from abandonment. Sexton's use of metaphor and imagery is particularly effective, as it conveys the depth of the woman's pain and anger. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to express the most complex and difficult emotions, and it is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope for healing and renewal.
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