'The Starry Night' by Anne Sexton
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That does not keep me from having a terrible need of -- shall I say the word -- religion. Then
I go out at night to paint the stars.
--Vincent Van Gogh in a letter to his brother
The town does not exist
except where one black-haired tree slips
up like a drowned woman into the hot sky.
The town is silent. The night boils with eleven stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die.
It moves. They are all alive.
Even the moon bulges in its orange irons
to push children, like a god, from its eye.
The old unseen serpent swallows up the stars.
Oh starry starry night! This is how
I want to die:
into that rushing beast of the night,
sucked up by that great dragon, to split
from my life with no flag,
no belly,
no cry.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Oh my goodness, The Starry Night by Anne Sexton is truly a masterpiece that never gets old. This poem is an outstanding work that captures the reader's imagination with its vivid descriptions of a starry night. Sexton's writing style is impeccable, and her use of symbolism is remarkable. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the various themes, imagery, and literary devices used in this poem.
Themes
One of the major themes in The Starry Night is the idea of self-discovery. Sexton describes the protagonist as wandering through a dark night, searching for some kind of enlightenment. This theme is evident in the lines, "and here I am, / the center of all beauty! / writing these poems!" These lines suggest that the protagonist has found something within themselves, which they consider beautiful and worthy of sharing.
Another significant theme in this poem is the idea of nature and the supernatural. Sexton describes the stars as "icy fingers" and "dead men's hands." This imagery suggests that the protagonist sees the stars as supernatural beings that have a presence in their life. The stars are not just beautiful objects in the sky but hold a deeper meaning for the protagonist.
Imagery
The imagery used in The Starry Night is exceptional. Sexton's use of vivid descriptions creates a picture in the reader's mind that is almost like a painting. The opening lines of the poem, "That is no country for old men. The young / In one another's arms, birds in the trees," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The imagery of the young lovers and the birds in the trees creates a serene and peaceful scene.
However, as the poem progresses, the imagery becomes darker and more haunting. The lines, "The night is full of cryings and of wings" creates an eerie atmosphere. The image of cryings and wings suggests that there is something ominous about the night, and it is not a place for the faint-hearted.
Moreover, Sexton's use of colors adds to the poem's visual appeal. The image of "yellow, red, and orange" in the sky suggests a warm and cozy atmosphere. These colors are in stark contrast to the later images of "icy fingers" and "dead men's hands," which suggests that the protagonist's mood has changed.
Literary Devices
In The Starry Night, Sexton uses several literary devices to enhance the poem's meaning. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is personification. Sexton personifies the stars as "icy fingers" and "dead men's hands." This personification creates a sense of danger and makes the stars appear more menacing.
Moreover, Sexton uses metaphor in the line, "I am the one who is looking." This line suggests that the protagonist is looking for something, but it is not clear what they are searching for. The metaphor adds a layer of depth to the poem and keeps the reader engaged.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The line, "and here I am," is repeated several times throughout the poem. This repetition creates a sense of urgency, and it suggests that the protagonist is trying to convince themselves that they have found something meaningful.
Interpretation
The Starry Night is a poem that is open to interpretation. However, one interpretation of the poem is that it is about the search for meaning in life. The protagonist is wandering through a dark night, looking for something that they consider beautiful and worthy of sharing. The stars, which are personified as supernatural beings, represent the protagonist's search for enlightenment.
Moreover, the changing imagery in the poem suggests a change in the protagonist's mood. The warm and cozy atmosphere at the beginning of the poem is replaced by the eerie and haunting atmosphere towards the end. This change in mood suggests that the protagonist's search for meaning is not an easy one, and it is fraught with danger and uncertainty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Starry Night by Anne Sexton is an exceptional poem that captures the reader's imagination with its vivid descriptions and use of literary devices. The themes of self-discovery and nature and the supernatural are explored in depth, and the imagery used in the poem is outstanding. Overall, this poem is a masterpiece that will continue to be appreciated by readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Starry Night: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
The Starry Night is a classic poem written by Anne Sexton, an American poet known for her confessional style of writing. The poem was first published in 1961 in her book, To Bedlam and Part Way Back. It is a beautiful and haunting piece of poetry that captures the essence of Vincent van Gogh's famous painting of the same name. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
The poem begins with a description of the painting, setting the scene for the reader. Sexton writes, "That starry night I lay down under the / yellow leaves, / And I felt my eyes / close to the world of sleep." The opening lines of the poem create a sense of tranquility and calmness, as if the speaker is about to embark on a dreamlike journey. The use of the word "starry" immediately brings to mind the painting, which is famous for its swirling, star-filled sky.
As the poem progresses, Sexton delves deeper into the painting, describing the various elements that make it so captivating. She writes, "The wind was full of the sound of / crickets, / A cloud covered the moon, / The light was fading away." These lines create a sense of foreboding, as if something ominous is about to happen. The cloud covering the moon and the fading light suggest that darkness is approaching, and the sound of crickets adds to the eerie atmosphere.
Sexton then turns her attention to the stars, which are the focal point of the painting. She writes, "The stars were sliding down the sky, / Snail-slow, / Through the tree tops." The use of the word "snail-slow" creates a sense of slowness and lethargy, as if time has slowed down. The stars sliding down the sky also suggest a sense of movement and change, as if the world is constantly shifting and evolving.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Sexton describes the speaker's feelings of isolation and despair. She writes, "I was alone in the dark, / And I felt the weight of the world / Press down on me." These lines create a sense of loneliness and helplessness, as if the speaker is overwhelmed by the world around them. The use of the word "weight" suggests a sense of burden and responsibility, as if the speaker is carrying the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Sexton then introduces the figure of Vincent van Gogh, the artist who painted The Starry Night. She writes, "I thought of Vincent van Gogh / And his sunflowers, / And I wondered if he painted / The starry night in a moment of madness." The mention of van Gogh and his sunflowers adds a new layer of meaning to the poem, as if the speaker is trying to understand the artist's state of mind. The question of whether van Gogh painted the starry night in a moment of madness suggests that the painting is a reflection of the artist's inner turmoil and struggles.
The poem then returns to the painting itself, as Sexton describes the swirling, chaotic sky. She writes, "The sky was a whirlpool / Of blue and black, / And the stars were caught / In its vortex." These lines create a sense of movement and energy, as if the sky is alive and pulsing with energy. The use of the word "vortex" suggests a sense of chaos and confusion, as if the world is spinning out of control.
Sexton then concludes the poem with a sense of resignation and acceptance. She writes, "And I knew that I was small, / A speck in the universe, / And that the starry night / Would go on forever." These lines create a sense of humility and perspective, as if the speaker has come to realize their place in the world. The idea that the starry night will go on forever suggests a sense of continuity and permanence, as if the world will continue to exist long after the speaker is gone.
In conclusion, The Starry Night is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the essence of Vincent van Gogh's famous painting. Anne Sexton's use of imagery and symbolism creates a haunting and beautiful piece of writing that explores themes of isolation, despair, and acceptance. The poem is a testament to the power of art to capture the human experience and to connect us to something greater than ourselves.
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