'The Sentence' by Anna Akhmatova
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And the stone word fell
On my still-living breast.
Never mind, I was ready.
I will manage somehow.
Today I have so much to do:
I must kill memory once and for all,
I must turn my soul to stone,
I must learn to live again--
Unless . . . Summer's ardent rustling
Is like a festival outside my window.
For a long time I've foreseen this
Brilliant day, deserted house.
Translated from the Russian by Judith Hemschemeyer
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Sentence by Anna Akhmatova: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
The Sentence is a poem written by Anna Akhmatova, a prominent Russian poet of the 20th century. This poem is often regarded as one of Akhmatova’s most powerful works, and it is not hard to see why. With its raw emotion and stark imagery, this poem has the power to move readers to tears and provoke deep thought about the human condition.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the themes, language, and structure of The Sentence, and examine how Akhmatova uses these elements to express her ideas and feelings.
Overview of The Sentence
The Sentence is a poem about a woman who is waiting to hear news about her son, who has been arrested by the government. The woman is standing outside of the prison, and the poem describes the scene around her. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct tone and mood.
The first stanza is a description of the setting. We learn that the woman is standing outside of the prison, and that there are other women there with her. The language in this stanza is stark and simple, which helps to convey the sense of despair and hopelessness that the women feel.
The second stanza is a reflection on the woman’s situation. The language in this stanza is more poetic and lyrical than in the first stanza, which reflects the woman’s inner thoughts and emotions. The woman reflects on the fact that she does not know what will happen to her son, and that she is powerless to help him.
The third stanza is a call to action. The woman asks the other women to remember her son’s name, and to tell his story to others. This stanza is more hopeful than the previous two, as it suggests that the woman believes that her son’s story will not be forgotten, even if he is never released from prison.
Themes
One of the main themes of The Sentence is the powerlessness of individuals in the face of oppressive governments. The poem reflects the reality of life in Soviet Russia, where the government had the power to arrest and imprison individuals without due process. The women in the poem are unable to do anything to help their loved ones who have been arrested, except to stand outside of the prison and wait for news.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of memory and storytelling. The woman in the poem asks the other women to remember her son’s name and to tell his story to others. This reflects Akhmatova’s belief that storytelling is a powerful tool for preserving the memory of those who have been oppressed or forgotten.
Language and Imagery
Akhmatova’s use of language and imagery in The Sentence is both powerful and haunting. The poem is written in simple, direct language, which helps to convey the starkness of the situation. The use of short, declarative sentences in the first stanza creates a sense of urgency and tension, as the reader is immediately placed in the midst of the action.
The second stanza is more lyrical, and the language is more poetic. This reflects the woman’s inner thoughts and emotions, which are more complex than the situation around her. The use of metaphor and imagery in this stanza helps to convey the depth of the woman’s sorrow and fear.
The third stanza is a call to action, and the language becomes more assertive and empowering. The woman’s use of imperatives in this stanza reflects her desire to take action, and her belief that her son’s story should be remembered.
Structure
The Sentence is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a distinct tone and mood. The first stanza is a description of the setting, and it sets the scene for the rest of the poem. The second stanza is a reflection on the woman’s situation, and it provides insight into her inner thoughts and emotions. The third stanza is a call to action, and it provides a sense of hope and empowerment.
The use of stanzas in the poem helps to create a sense of structure and progression. The first stanza provides a sense of setting and context, while the second stanza provides insight into the woman’s thoughts and feelings. The third stanza provides a resolution, and it suggests a way forward for the women who are waiting outside of the prison.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Sentence is a powerful poem that reflects the reality of life in Soviet Russia, where individuals were often powerless in the face of oppressive governments. Akhmatova’s use of language and imagery in the poem is both haunting and evocative, and it helps to convey the depth of the woman’s sorrow and fear.
The poem’s themes of powerlessness and the importance of memory and storytelling are as relevant today as they were when the poem was written. The Sentence is a testament to the power of poetry to express the human experience, and it is an enduring work of art that will continue to move and inspire readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Sentence: A Masterpiece of Anna Akhmatova
Anna Akhmatova, one of the most prominent Russian poets of the 20th century, is known for her powerful and evocative poetry that reflects the tumultuous times of her era. Her poem, The Sentence, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the Stalinist era in Soviet Russia. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human cost of political oppression and the power of language to both oppress and liberate.
The Sentence is a short poem, consisting of only six stanzas, each with four lines. The brevity of the poem belies its power, as each line is packed with meaning and emotion. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of urgency and immediacy.
The poem begins with the line, "In the terrible years of the Yezhov terror, I spent seventeen months in the prison lines of Leningrad." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes the context of the poem. The Yezhov terror refers to the period of political repression in the Soviet Union during the late 1930s, when Nikolai Yezhov was the head of the NKVD, the Soviet secret police. Akhmatova's reference to the "terrible years" and the "prison lines of Leningrad" immediately conveys the sense of fear and oppression that characterized this period.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it describes the experience of waiting in line for hours on end, in the freezing cold, to visit loved ones in prison. The line, "One day somebody in the crowd identified me" captures the sense of paranoia and fear that permeated Soviet society at the time. The fact that someone in the crowd recognized Akhmatova as a poet, and therefore a potential enemy of the state, highlights the danger that she and others like her faced.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most famous, as it describes the moment when a woman in the crowd asks Akhmatova if she can describe what she saw in the prison. The line, "Can you describe this?" is a powerful one, as it captures the essence of the poem. The woman's question is a plea for Akhmatova to use her words to bear witness to the atrocities that were taking place in the prison. The fact that the woman uses the word "this" rather than "these" emphasizes the enormity of the suffering that was taking place.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of language to both oppress and liberate. Akhmatova writes, "And I answered: 'I can.'" This simple statement is a powerful one, as it asserts the power of language to bear witness to the truth. The fact that Akhmatova is able to use her words to describe the horrors of the prison is a testament to the power of language to both oppress and liberate.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the cost of bearing witness to the truth. Akhmatova writes, "Then something like a smile passed over what had once been her face." This line is a poignant one, as it captures the sense of loss and despair that Akhmatova and others like her felt during this period. The fact that the woman's face has been so distorted by suffering that it is no longer recognizable as a face is a powerful image.
The final stanza of the poem is a reflection on the power of memory to bear witness to the truth. Akhmatova writes, "But I wept, because I had seen her eyes, / Still alive, still asking: 'Who will answer?'" This final line is a powerful one, as it emphasizes the importance of remembering the atrocities that were committed during this period. The fact that the woman's eyes are still alive, still asking for someone to bear witness to the truth, highlights the importance of memory in bearing witness to the truth.
In conclusion, The Sentence is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of the Stalinist era in Soviet Russia. The poem is a poignant reflection on the human cost of political oppression and the power of language to both oppress and liberate. Akhmatova's use of free verse and powerful imagery creates a sense of urgency and immediacy that makes the poem both timeless and relevant. The Sentence is a masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the power of language to bear witness to the truth.
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