'The Fury Of Sunsets' by Anne Sexton
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Something
cold is in the air,
an aura of ice
and phlegm.
All day I've built
a lifetime and now
the sun sinks to
undo it.
The horizon bleeds
and sucks its thumb.
The little red thumb
goes out of sight.
And I wonder about
this lifetime with myself,
this dream I'm living.
I could eat the sky
like an apple
but I'd rather
ask the first star:
why am I here?
why do I live in this house?
who's responsible?
eh?
Submitted by RW
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fury of Sunsets: A Masterpiece of Poetic Angst
Whoever said that poetry is dead has clearly not read Anne Sexton's The Fury of Sunsets. This classic piece of literature is a testament to the power of words, and how they can move and inspire us in ways that we never thought possible. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will be diving deep into the hidden meanings and themes of this masterpiece of poetic angst.
Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, let's take a moment to talk about the poet who wrote it. Anne Sexton was an American poet who is considered to be one of the pioneers of the confessional poetry movement. Her works were deeply personal, often dealing with themes of mental illness, suicide, and the struggles of women in a male-dominated society. Sexton's life was marked by tragedy, including several suicide attempts and a lifelong battle with mental illness before she took her own life in 1974.
The Poem: The Fury of Sunsets
Now, let's turn our attention to the poem itself. The Fury of Sunsets is a deeply emotional and raw piece of writing that is sure to stir up strong feelings in anyone who reads it. The poem is written in free verse, with no particular rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and emotional intensity.
The poem begins with a description of a sunset, a common motif in literature that often symbolizes the passing of time and the inevitability of death. Sexton, however, takes this common trope and turns it on its head by describing the sunset in violent and destructive terms:
"The sun is burning yellow, burning gold. My eyes are sand-clogged with it, my mouth Dry as old bones, my tongue a tree. I am the sun's fury, I am not to be trifled with."
Right from the start, Sexton sets the tone for the poem, creating a sense of anger and bitterness that permeates throughout the entire piece. But what is she so angry about? As the poem progresses, we begin to get a sense of the underlying themes and emotions that are driving Sexton's words.
One of the central themes of the poem is the struggle for identity and self-worth. Sexton writes:
"I am only this sun that scorches my feet This thunder that awakens the dead This lightning that splits tree trunks."
Here, Sexton seems to be saying that she is nothing but the destructive forces of nature. She feels powerless to control her own destiny, and is constantly at the mercy of the world around her. This sense of helplessness and despair is a recurring theme in Sexton's works, and speaks to the feelings of many who struggle with mental illness and depression.
Another important theme in the poem is the struggle for control. Sexton writes:
"I am the one who makes the rules Who sets the boundaries Who says what is right and what is wrong."
Here, Sexton seems to be taking control of her own narrative, asserting her right to make her own choices and define her own identity. This sense of empowerment is a powerful message, and speaks to the need for people to take control of their own lives and assert their own agency.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is Sexton's use of language. Her words are sharp and cutting, filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that bring the poem to life. Take, for example, this passage:
"I am the one who sings the songs Of the dead and dying The one who mourns the passing of time."
Here, Sexton's words are filled with a sense of mourning and loss, as if she is mourning the passing of her own life. This sense of melancholy is a recurring theme throughout the poem, and makes it all the more powerful and poignant.
Interpretation
So, what can we take away from The Fury of Sunsets? At its core, the poem is a powerful meditation on the struggle for identity and self-worth, and the need for individuals to take control of their own lives and assert their own agency. It is also a poignant reflection on the passing of time, and the inevitability of death.
But perhaps the most important message of the poem is one of hope. Despite the feelings of helplessness and despair that pervade the piece, Sexton never loses her sense of hope or her faith in the power of language to move and inspire us. Her words are a testament to the power of poetry, and the way that it can help us to transcend the limitations of our own lives and connect with something larger than ourselves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Fury of Sunsets is a masterpiece of poetic angst that speaks to the struggles and emotions that we all experience at some point in our lives. Anne Sexton's words are powerful and moving, and her message of hope and empowerment is one that we can all take to heart. If you have not read this classic piece of literature, I highly recommend that you do so – it is sure to leave a lasting impression on you.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fury of Sunsets: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, the American poet, is known for her confessional poetry that delves into the depths of human emotions and experiences. Her poem, The Fury of Sunsets, is a classic example of her style of writing. The poem is a powerful and evocative piece that explores themes of mortality, nature, and the passage of time. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The Fury of Sunsets is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a sense of freedom and spontaneity, which is fitting for the subject matter.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. It begins with the line, "There is a fever of the soul that I have seen in many". This line immediately draws the reader in and creates a sense of intrigue. The use of the word "fever" suggests that the poem will explore intense emotions and experiences.
The second line of the stanza reads, "But surely none like this". This line emphasizes the uniqueness of the experience that the poet is describing. The use of the word "surely" suggests that the poet is confident in her assertion that this experience is unlike any other.
The third line of the stanza reads, "It is like the fury of the sunsets". This line is the first mention of the title of the poem. The use of the word "fury" suggests that the experience is intense and passionate. The comparison to sunsets is interesting because sunsets are often associated with beauty and tranquility. However, the use of the word "fury" suggests that there is a darker side to this beauty.
The fourth line of the stanza reads, "When the sun blazes the horizon". This line continues the comparison to sunsets. The use of the word "blazes" suggests that the sun is powerful and intense. The horizon is often seen as a boundary between the known and the unknown, which adds to the sense of mystery and intrigue in the poem.
The fifth line of the stanza reads, "And the whole earth is aglow". This line emphasizes the all-encompassing nature of the experience. The use of the word "aglow" suggests that the experience is radiant and luminous.
The final line of the stanza reads, "And it seems to me that all the moments of our life converge to this point". This line is the most powerful in the stanza. It suggests that the experience is a culmination of all the moments of the poet's life. The use of the word "converge" suggests that the experience is a coming together of all the different parts of the poet's life.
The second stanza of the poem continues the exploration of the experience. It begins with the line, "And the passionate voices of the night". This line suggests that the experience is connected to the night, which is often associated with mystery and darkness.
The second line of the stanza reads, "And the soundless depth of valleys". This line emphasizes the sense of depth and mystery in the experience. The use of the word "soundless" suggests that the experience is beyond words and cannot be fully expressed.
The third line of the stanza reads, "And the sudden flare of hope". This line is interesting because it suggests that the experience is not entirely negative. The use of the word "flare" suggests that the experience is sudden and intense.
The fourth line of the stanza reads, "And the scream that breaks from the heart". This line is the most powerful in the stanza. It suggests that the experience is so intense that it cannot be contained. The use of the word "scream" suggests that the experience is painful and traumatic.
The fifth line of the stanza reads, "And the tears that fall from the eyes". This line emphasizes the emotional nature of the experience. The use of the word "tears" suggests that the experience is deeply felt and emotional.
The final line of the stanza reads, "And the look that locks itself in silence". This line is interesting because it suggests that the experience is beyond words. The use of the word "locks" suggests that the experience is powerful and cannot be easily forgotten.
The third and final stanza of the poem brings the exploration of the experience to a close. It begins with the line, "That harrowing cry that fills the night". This line is a continuation of the exploration of the intense emotions associated with the experience.
The second line of the stanza reads, "And the whisper of love that follows". This line is interesting because it suggests that the experience is not entirely negative. The use of the word "whisper" suggests that the experience is gentle and intimate.
The third line of the stanza reads, "But the heart is always a lonely hunter". This line is a powerful statement about the human condition. It suggests that no matter how intense our experiences are, we are ultimately alone.
The fourth line of the stanza reads, "And, speaking, wearily, to the earth". This line suggests that the experience has left the poet exhausted and drained. The use of the word "wearily" emphasizes the emotional toll of the experience.
The fifth line of the stanza reads, "Gives up on all the things that it has tried to say". This line is a powerful statement about the limitations of language. It suggests that some experiences are beyond words and cannot be fully expressed.
The final line of the stanza reads, "Then, silenced by the surge of all its pain". This line is a powerful conclusion to the poem. It suggests that the experience is so intense that it cannot be fully expressed or understood.
In conclusion, The Fury of Sunsets is a powerful and evocative poem that explores themes of mortality, nature, and the passage of time. The poem is written in free verse, which gives it a sense of freedom and spontaneity. The use of language is powerful and evocative, and the exploration of the experience is intense and emotional. Overall, The Fury of Sunsets is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton's confessional poetry and a must-read for anyone interested in exploring the depths of human emotions and experiences.
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