'After Auschwitz' by Anne Sexton
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Anger,
as black as a hook,
overtakes me.
Each day,
each Nazi
took, at 8:00 A.M., a baby
and sauteed him for breakfast
in his frying pan.
And death looks on with a casual eye
and picks at the dirt under his fingernail.
Man is evil,
I say aloud.
Man is a flower
that should be burnt,
I say aloud.
Man
is a bird full of mud,
I say aloud.
And death looks on with a casual eye
and scratches his anus.
Man with his small pink toes,
with his miraculous fingers
is not a temple
but an outhouse,
I say aloud.
Let man never again raise his teacup.
Let man never again write a book.
Let man never again put on his shoe.
Let man never again raise his eyes,
on a soft July night.
Never. Never. Never. Never. Never.
I say those things aloud.
Editor 1 Interpretation
After Auschwitz: A Critical Interpretation of Anne Sexton's Poem
Anne Sexton, a renowned American poet, wrote "After Auschwitz," a powerful and thought-provoking poem in response to the Holocaust. The poem raises several critical questions about the nature of humanity and the role of poets in times of crisis. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and literary devices used in the poem, and discuss Sexton's message and intent.
Background
Anne Sexton was a poet who was known for her confessional style, in which she explored personal and often controversial themes. She was also a feminist and a mental health advocate. Her work often dealt with issues such as sexuality, mental illness, and the struggles of everyday life. "After Auschwitz" was published in 1971, during a period of social and political upheaval in the United States, and at a time when the world was still grappling with the aftermath of the Holocaust.
Themes
The poem "After Auschwitz" raises several critical themes that are central to the human condition. In particular, the poem explores the nature of evil and the role of humanity in the face of tragedy. It also raises questions about the role of artists and poets in times of crisis.
The nature of evil
"At Auschwitz, the smoke lifted into the sky and the furnaces were cleaned and the bones were turned into soap and wedding rings."
The opening lines of the poem are stark and unflinching in their portrayal of the horrors of Auschwitz. The image of smoke rising from the crematoria, and the reference to human bones being turned into soap and wedding rings, serve as a reminder of the unspeakable evil that occurred during the Holocaust.
Throughout the poem, Sexton contrasts the beauty of nature with the horrors of Auschwitz. She describes the sky as "blue and enormous" and the grass as "green and full of life," juxtaposing these images with the stark reality of the concentration camp.
Sexton's use of imagery and contrast serves to highlight the enormity of the evil that occurred during the Holocaust. By juxtaposing the beauty of nature with the horrors of Auschwitz, she emphasizes the magnitude of the tragedy and the need to confront and acknowledge the reality of what happened.
The role of humanity
"And what did we do? We went on as usual."
The poem also raises critical questions about the role of humanity in the face of tragedy. Sexton asks, "What did we do?" highlighting the fact that many people were aware of the atrocities that were taking place in concentration camps, but did nothing to stop them.
Sexton's use of the collective pronoun "we" is significant, as it implies that all of humanity shares in the responsibility of what happened during the Holocaust. By asking what "we" did, she challenges readers to consider their own complicity in acts of evil and injustice.
The role of artists and poets
"I have told you this to make poetry, not to tell you what happened."
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most significant, as they raise questions about the role of artists and poets in times of crisis. Sexton suggests that her purpose in telling the story of Auschwitz is not to inform readers about what happened, but rather to inspire them to create poetry.
This raises critical questions about the role of art and poetry in society. Is it the role of the artist to bear witness to tragedy, or to inspire others to create in the face of adversity? Sexton's suggestion that her purpose is to inspire poetry raises questions about whether art can truly capture the complexity of human experience, or whether it is simply a means of expressing emotion.
Literary Devices
Sexton's use of literary devices in "After Auschwitz" is also significant in conveying her message and intent. In particular, the poem makes use of imagery, contrast, and repetition.
Imagery
Sexton uses vivid imagery throughout the poem to convey the horror of Auschwitz. The image of smoke rising from the crematoria, the mention of human bones being turned into soap and wedding rings, and the description of the sky and grass all serve to create a vivid and haunting picture of the concentration camp.
Contrast
Sexton's use of contrast is also significant in conveying her message. By contrasting the beauty of nature with the horrors of Auschwitz, she emphasizes the enormity of the evil that occurred. The contrast between the blue sky and the smoke rising from the crematoria, for example, serves to highlight the jarring juxtaposition of beauty and horror.
Repetition
The repetition of the phrase "after Auschwitz" throughout the poem serves to reinforce the central theme of the piece. By repeating the phrase, Sexton emphasizes the enormity of the tragedy and the need to confront and acknowledge the reality of what happened.
Message and Intent
Through the use of themes, literary devices, and powerful imagery, Sexton's message in "After Auschwitz" is clear. The poem serves as a reminder of the unspeakable evil that occurred during the Holocaust, and raises critical questions about the nature of humanity and the role of artists and poets in times of crisis.
Sexton's suggestion that her purpose is to inspire poetry raises questions about the role of art and poetry in society. Is it the role of the artist to bear witness to tragedy, or to inspire others to create in the face of adversity? Sexton's poem suggests that art has the power to inspire and transform, even in the face of unspeakable tragedy.
Conclusion
"After Auschwitz" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that raises critical questions about the nature of evil, the role of humanity, and the role of artists and poets in times of crisis. Through the use of vivid imagery, contrast, and repetition, Sexton conveys a powerful message about the importance of confronting and acknowledging the reality of what happened during the Holocaust.
The poem serves as a reminder that the horrors of the past should never be forgotten, and that it is the responsibility of all of us to confront and acknowledge the reality of what happened. In doing so, we can work to prevent similar atrocities from occurring in the future, and create a world that is more just and compassionate.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
After Auschwitz: A Poem of Survival and Redemption
Anne Sexton's poem "After Auschwitz" is a powerful and haunting meditation on the aftermath of the Holocaust. Written in 1965, the poem reflects on the horrors of the concentration camps and the struggle to find meaning and hope in the wake of such unspeakable evil. Through its vivid imagery and stark language, the poem captures the emotional and psychological impact of the Holocaust on both its survivors and the world at large.
The poem begins with a stark and chilling image: "Anger, as black as a hook, / Overtakes me." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is characterized by a sense of rage and despair. The speaker is consumed by anger at the atrocities that have been committed, and this anger is described as a "hook" that has taken hold of her. This image suggests that the speaker is trapped by her emotions, unable to escape the pain and trauma of the past.
As the poem continues, the speaker reflects on the experience of the concentration camps. She describes the "smell of death" that permeated the air, and the "bodies piled up like trash" that were a constant reminder of the horrors that had taken place. The language here is stark and unflinching, conveying the full horror of the Holocaust in all its brutality.
Despite this, the poem is not without hope. The speaker acknowledges that "we are alive" and that "we have survived." This recognition of survival is a powerful affirmation of the resilience of the human spirit, even in the face of unimaginable suffering. The speaker goes on to describe the process of rebuilding and healing, of "sewing new blue suits" and "planting new gardens." These images suggest a sense of renewal and regeneration, a determination to rebuild and create something new out of the ashes of the past.
The poem also touches on the theme of memory and remembrance. The speaker describes the "tattooed number" on her arm, a permanent reminder of the horrors she has endured. This image is a powerful symbol of the importance of remembering the past, of bearing witness to the atrocities that have been committed. The poem suggests that it is only by remembering the past that we can hope to prevent such horrors from happening again in the future.
Throughout the poem, Sexton's language is spare and direct, conveying the full weight of the emotions and experiences she is describing. The poem is characterized by a sense of urgency and intensity, as if the speaker is desperate to convey the full horror of the Holocaust and the need for redemption and renewal.
In conclusion, "After Auschwitz" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the emotional and psychological impact of the Holocaust on both its survivors and the world at large. Through its vivid imagery and stark language, the poem conveys the full horror of the concentration camps, while also affirming the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of memory and remembrance. As we continue to grapple with the legacy of the Holocaust and the ongoing struggle for justice and human rights, this poem remains a powerful reminder of the need to bear witness to the past and to work towards a better future.
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