'Said The Poet To The Analyst' by Anne Sexton
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My business is words. Words are like labels,
or coins, or better, like swarming bees.
I confess I am only broken by the sources of things;
as if words were counted like dead bees in the attic,
unbuckled from their yellow eyes and their dry wings.
I must always forget who one words is able to pick
out another, to manner another, until I have got
somethhing I might have said...
but did not.
Your business is watching my words. But I
admit nothing. I worth with my best, for instances,
when I can write my praise for a nickel machine,
that one night in Nevada: telling how the magic jackpot
came clacking three bells out, over the lucky screen.
But if you should say this is something it is not,
then I grow weak, remembering how my hands felt funny
and ridiculous and crowded with all
the believing money.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Said The Poet To The Analyst" by Anne Sexton: A Deconstruction of the Creative Mind
Anne Sexton's "Said The Poet To The Analyst" is a complex and layered poem that provides insight into the creative mind and the relationship between the artist and the world. The poem explores themes such as the power of language, the struggle for self-expression, and the tension between the individual and society. In this literary criticism and interpretation of the poem, we will examine Sexton's use of language, symbolism, and imagery to unravel the various layers of meaning in "Said The Poet To The Analyst."
A Deconstruction of Language
The opening lines of the poem immediately draw attention to the power of language and its ability to both reveal and conceal truth. The poet says to the analyst:
"You ask me what I mean
by saying I have lost my tongue.
I ask you, what would you do
if you had two tongues in your mouth,
and you lost the first one,
the mother tongue,
and could not really know the other,
the foreign tongue."
These lines establish the central metaphor of the poem - the loss of language as a metaphor for the loss of self. The poet's use of multiple tongues highlights the complexity of identity and the challenges of self-expression. The mother tongue, the language of one's birth and upbringing, is intimately tied to one's sense of self, while the foreign tongue represents the struggle to communicate and connect with the world.
The poem is written in free verse, which allows Sexton to experiment with language and structure. The lack of a strict form mirrors the theme of the poem, which is the struggle for self-expression in a chaotic and ever-changing world. The poet's use of enjambment creates a sense of continuity and fluidity, which mirrors the flow of language and thought. The poem is not structured around a narrative or a linear progression but instead moves organically, reflecting the complex and nonlinear process of self-discovery.
A Deconstruction of Self
The central tension in the poem is between the poet's desire for self-expression and the pressure to conform to societal norms. The poet says:
"I cannot tell you what I mean
because I have no words
and my tongue is tied.
A rush of language
is not enough
to hold a life together."
These lines highlight the struggle to find one's own voice in a world that seeks to silence it. The poet is frustrated by the limitations of language and the inability to fully express herself. The pressure to conform to societal norms is symbolized by the analyst, who represents the voice of authority and conformity. The poet is struggling to find her own voice in the face of a society that seeks to silence and suppress it.
The poet's use of symbolism is particularly effective in conveying the theme of self-discovery. The poem is peppered with references to water, which symbolizes the fluidity of identity and the ever-changing nature of the self. The poet says:
"I have been
dribbling in my sleep,
you have heard me
yet you do not understand
nor could you
in a language
I do not know."
These lines illustrate the fluidity of language and identity. The poet is constantly changing and evolving, which makes it difficult for her to fully express herself. The use of water as a symbol emphasizes the fluidity and ever-changing nature of the self.
A Deconstruction of Society
The tension between the individual and society is a recurring theme in Sexton's poetry, and "Said The Poet To The Analyst" is no exception. The poet is struggling to find her own voice in a society that seeks to silence and suppress it. The analyst represents the voice of authority and conformity, while the poet represents the voice of rebellion and nonconformity.
The poet's use of imagery is particularly effective in conveying the theme of societal pressure. The poem is filled with references to cages and prisons, which symbolize the constraints that society places on the individual. The poet says:
"I have been
housed in
a cage like a zoo."
These lines highlight the sense of confinement and restriction that the poet feels. The use of a zoo as a metaphor emphasizes the dehumanizing effects of societal pressure. The poet is reduced to an animal, trapped in a cage and unable to fully express herself.
The tension between the individual and society is further illustrated by the use of opposing images. The poet says:
"I am tongue-tied
and blind
and see
with deadened eyes."
These lines highlight the conflict between the individual and society. The poet is struggling to find her own voice in a world that seeks to silence it. The use of opposing images emphasizes the tension between the individual and society, and the struggle to find a balance between the two.
A Deconstruction of Creativity
"Said The Poet To The Analyst" is ultimately a poem about creativity and the struggle to find one's own voice in a society that seeks to silence it. The poet is struggling to find the words to express herself and to connect with the world. The tension between the individual and society is ultimately resolved through creativity and self-expression.
The poet's use of repetition is particularly effective in conveying the theme of creativity. The phrase "I have lost my tongue" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the poet's struggle to find her own voice. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and frustration, which mirrors the poet's internal struggle.
The poem is ultimately a celebration of creativity and the power of language. The poet says:
"But let me tell you,
there are tongues
that have not yet been
torn out and
languages
that have not yet been
nailed to the floorboard."
These lines highlight the potential for creativity and self-expression, even in the face of societal pressure. The poet is celebrating the power of language and the potential for self-expression and connection.
Conclusion
"Said The Poet To The Analyst" is a complex and layered poem that explores themes such as the power of language, the struggle for self-expression, and the tension between the individual and society. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Sexton to experiment with language and structure. The central metaphor of the poem is the loss of language as a metaphor for the loss of self, and the tension between the individual and society is ultimately resolved through creativity and self-expression. The poem is ultimately a celebration of the power of language and the potential for self-expression and connection.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Said The Poet To The Analyst: A Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Classic Poem
Anne Sexton's poem Said The Poet To The Analyst is a masterpiece of confessional poetry. It is a deeply personal and introspective work that explores the complex relationship between the poet and her therapist. The poem is a conversation between the poet and her analyst, and it delves into the themes of identity, creativity, and mental illness. In this article, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and analyze its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the poet addressing her analyst, saying "you sit there, my dear, like a thorn." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the tension between the two characters. The poet sees her analyst as a source of discomfort, a thorn in her side. This is a common feeling among those who seek therapy, as the process of self-examination can be painful and difficult.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's struggle with her own identity. She says, "I am a window, / a balloon, a basket, / a bird, a bed." These images suggest a sense of fragmentation and instability. The poet is struggling to define herself, and she feels like she is made up of many different parts that don't quite fit together. This is a common experience for those who suffer from mental illness, as they often feel like they are not in control of their own thoughts and emotions.
The poet then goes on to describe her creative process. She says, "I write with a pen / that has no ink / and paper that is not / paper but skin." This image is both beautiful and disturbing. It suggests that the poet's creativity is intimately connected to her own body, and that her writing is a form of self-harm. This is a common theme in Sexton's work, as she often explores the relationship between creativity and mental illness.
The next few lines of the poem describe the poet's relationship with her therapist. She says, "you are the doctor, / I am the patient, / we are both the disease." This image suggests that the poet sees her therapist as both a source of healing and a source of pain. She recognizes that they are both struggling with the same issues, and that their relationship is a reflection of their shared mental illness.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the poet describes her suicidal thoughts. She says, "I have thought of suicide / as often as the sun / has gone to bed / and woken up again." This image is both powerful and haunting. It suggests that the poet's suicidal thoughts are a constant presence in her life, and that they are as natural as the rising and setting of the sun. This is a common experience for those who suffer from depression, as they often feel like they are trapped in a cycle of hopelessness and despair.
The final lines of the poem are both hopeful and ambiguous. The poet says, "I am the poet, / you are the analyst, / we are the same." This image suggests that the poet and her therapist are not so different after all. They are both struggling with the same issues, and they are both searching for a way to heal. The poem ends on an ambiguous note, as it is unclear whether the poet has found the healing she is looking for.
In conclusion, Said The Poet To The Analyst is a powerful and deeply personal poem that explores the themes of identity, creativity, and mental illness. It is a conversation between the poet and her therapist, and it delves into the complex relationship between the two characters. The poem is both beautiful and disturbing, and it offers a glimpse into the mind of a person who is struggling with their own mental health. Anne Sexton's work continues to resonate with readers today, and Said The Poet To The Analyst is a prime example of her mastery of the confessional poetry genre.
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