'Mr. Mine' by Anne Sexton

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay


Notice how he has numbered the blue veins
in my breast. Moreover there are ten freckles.
Now he goes left. Now he goes right.
He is buiding a city, a city of flesh.
He's an industrialist. He has starved in cellars
and, ladies and gentlemen, he's been broken by iron,
by the blood, by the metal, by the triumphant
iron of his mother's death. But he begins again.
Now he constructs me. He is consumed by the city.
>From the glory of words he has built me up.
>From the wonder of concrete he has molded me.
He has given me six hundred street signs.
The time I was dancing he built a museum.
He built ten blocks when I moved on the bed.
He constructed an overpass when I left.
I gave him flowers and he built an airport.
For traffic lights he handed at red and green
lollipops. Yet in my heart I am go children slow.


Submitted by Emily

Editor 1 Interpretation

Mr. Mine: A Poem that Delicately Tackles the Theme of Depression

Anne Sexton's "Mr. Mine" is a poem that can be seen as an allegory for depression. The use of imagery and metaphor throughout the poem helps to convey a sense of loneliness and emptiness that is often associated with depression. At the same time, the poem also highlights the importance of finding hope and light in the midst of darkness.

The Setting

The poem is set in a mine, which serves as a metaphor for the mind of the speaker. The mine is described as being "black as a chimney," which suggests that the speaker's mind is dark and gloomy. The mine is also described as being "empty as a pocket," which further emphasizes the sense of loneliness and emptiness that the speaker feels.

The Characters

The only character in the poem is Mr. Mine, who can be seen as a personification of depression. Mr. Mine is described as being "the black hole of the world," which suggests that he is all-consuming and can swallow up everything in his path. Mr. Mine is also described as being "cold as a tombstone," which emphasizes the sense of despair and hopelessness that is often associated with depression.

The Imagery

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the use of imagery. The mine is described as being "black as a chimney," "empty as a pocket," and "cold as a tombstone." These images help to convey a sense of darkness, emptiness, and despair that is often associated with depression.

The speaker describes herself as being "a coal to be mined," which suggests that she feels like she is worthless and has no value. The use of the word "mined" also suggests that she feels like she is being exploited and taken advantage of.

The speaker also describes Mr. Mine as being "the black hole of the world," which is a powerful image that conveys a sense of all-consuming darkness. The use of the word "world" also suggests that Mr. Mine is not just a personal demon, but a universal one that affects everyone.

The Metaphor

The poem can be seen as an allegory for depression. The mine serves as a metaphor for the mind of the speaker, and Mr. Mine serves as a personification of depression. The poem emphasizes the sense of darkness, emptiness, and despair that is often associated with depression.

At the same time, the poem also highlights the importance of finding hope and light in the midst of darkness. The speaker says that "there is always a light," which suggests that even in the darkest of times, there is still hope.

The Structure

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The structure creates a sense of repetition, which emphasizes the sense of emptiness and despair that is present throughout the poem. The repetition also helps to convey a sense of hopelessness, as if the speaker is trapped in a cycle of despair and cannot escape.

The Tone

The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective. The speaker is clearly in a state of despair, but at the same time, there is a sense of hopefulness that runs throughout the poem. The use of imagery and metaphor helps to convey a sense of loneliness and emptiness, but at the same time, there is a sense of resilience and determination that is present in the speaker's words.

The Conclusion

In conclusion, "Mr. Mine" is a powerful poem that delicately tackles the theme of depression. The use of imagery and metaphor helps to convey a sense of darkness, emptiness, and despair, but at the same time, the poem also highlights the importance of finding hope and light in the midst of darkness. The poem is structured in a way that creates a sense of repetition, which emphasizes the sense of despair and hopelessness that is present throughout the poem. The tone of the poem is melancholic and reflective, but there is also a sense of resilience and determination that is present in the speaker's words. Overall, "Mr. Mine" is a poem that is both poignant and powerful, and it serves as a reminder of the importance of finding hope in the midst of darkness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Anne Sexton’s poem “Mr. Mine” is a haunting and powerful piece that explores the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for power and control. The poem is a masterful example of Sexton’s ability to use language to convey deep emotions and complex ideas.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a man named Mr. Mine, who is “a man of power” and “a man of wealth.” The speaker is clearly in awe of Mr. Mine, describing him as “a king” and “a god.” However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker’s admiration for Mr. Mine is mixed with fear and a sense of unease.

The poem is structured around a series of contrasts between Mr. Mine and the speaker. Mr. Mine is described as “a man of power,” while the speaker is “a woman of no power.” Mr. Mine is “a man of wealth,” while the speaker is “a woman of no wealth.” Mr. Mine is “a king,” while the speaker is “a slave.” These contrasts highlight the power dynamic between the two characters and suggest that the speaker is in a subordinate position to Mr. Mine.

The poem also explores the theme of control. Mr. Mine is described as “a man who controls,” while the speaker is “a woman who is controlled.” This suggests that Mr. Mine has power over the speaker and is able to control her actions and thoughts. The speaker describes herself as “a slave,” which further emphasizes her lack of agency and autonomy.

However, the poem also suggests that the speaker is not entirely passive in her relationship with Mr. Mine. She describes herself as “a woman who is controlled,” but also as “a woman who is not controlled.” This suggests that the speaker is aware of Mr. Mine’s attempts to control her, but is also able to resist his influence to some extent.

The poem also explores the theme of gender roles and expectations. The speaker describes herself as “a woman of no power” and “a woman of no wealth,” which suggests that she is in a position of inferiority to Mr. Mine because of her gender. However, the poem also suggests that the speaker is aware of these gender roles and is able to challenge them to some extent. She describes herself as “a woman who is not controlled,” which suggests that she is able to resist the expectations placed on her as a woman.

The poem’s use of language is also worth noting. Sexton uses vivid and evocative imagery to convey the speaker’s emotions and experiences. For example, she describes Mr. Mine as “a man of power” and “a man of wealth,” which creates a sense of awe and admiration. However, she also describes him as “a man who controls,” which creates a sense of fear and unease.

The poem also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. The phrase “Mr. Mine” is repeated throughout the poem, which creates a sense of urgency and intensity. The repetition also emphasizes the power dynamic between the two characters, with Mr. Mine’s name being repeated more often than the speaker’s.

In conclusion, Anne Sexton’s poem “Mr. Mine” is a powerful exploration of the complexities of human relationships and the struggle for power and control. The poem’s use of language, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader in and leaves a lasting impression. The poem’s exploration of gender roles and expectations is also particularly relevant today, as we continue to grapple with issues of gender inequality and power dynamics in our society. Overall, “Mr. Mine” is a masterful example of Sexton’s ability to use language to convey deep emotions and complex ideas, and is a poem that deserves to be read and studied for years to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

Labaled Machine Learning Data: Pre-labeled machine learning data resources for Machine Learning engineers and generative models
Machine learning Classifiers: Machine learning Classifiers - Identify Objects, people, gender, age, animals, plant types
Lessons Learned: Lessons learned from engineering stories, and cloud migrations
Domain Specific Languages: The latest Domain specific languages and DSLs for large language models LLMs
ML Management: Machine learning operations tutorials

Recommended Similar Analysis

Sonnet XXX by William Shakespeare analysis
On the Western Circuit by Thomas Hardy analysis
Blue -Butterfly Day by Robert Lee Frost analysis
A Cry by Sarah Teasdale analysis
To Helen by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
What Weeping Face by Walt Whitman analysis
To my Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet analysis
A Song of the English by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Lovesong by Ted Hughes analysis
First We Take Manhattan by Leonard Cohen analysis