'The Kiss' by Anne Sexton
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My mouth blooms like a cut.
I've been wronged all year, tedious
nights, nothing but rough elbows in them
and delicate boxes of Kleenex calling crybaby
crybaby , you fool!
Before today my body was useless.
Now it's tearing at its square corners.
It's tearing old Mary's garments off, knot by knot
and see -- Now it's shot full of these electric bolts.
Zing! A resurrection!
Once it was a boat, quite wooden
and with no business, no salt water under it
and in need of some paint. It was no more
than a group of boards. But you hoisted her, rigged her.
She's been elected.
My nerves are turned on. I hear them like
musical instruments. Where there was silence
the drums, the strings are incurably playing. You did this.
Pure genius at work. Darling, the composer has stepped
into fire.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Kiss by Anne Sexton: A Controversial Reading
Anne Sexton's poem, The Kiss, is a complex and controversial piece of literature that challenges traditional notions of romantic love and self-identity. The poem has been interpreted in various ways, ranging from a celebration of sexual liberation to a critique of patriarchal power structures. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the multiple meanings and themes embedded in Sexton's poem, and offer my own reading of the text.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
The Kiss is a short poem consisting of six stanzas, each containing two lines. The poem is written in free verse, without a consistent rhyme or meter. The speaker of the poem is a woman who describes a sensual encounter with a man. The poem begins with the line, "My mouth blooms like a cut," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The imagery of the mouth as a flower, opening and blooming, is a metaphor for sexual arousal and desire. The woman describes the kiss as a violent act, likening it to a fishhook that "rises from the pond / and hooks my mouth." Despite the aggression of the kiss, the woman seems to enjoy it, describing it as a "sweetness" that she cannot resist. The poem concludes with the woman's desire to "hook" the man back and keep him with her forever.
Themes and Meanings
One of the most prominent themes in The Kiss is the idea of sexual liberation. The woman in the poem is unapologetic about her sexual desire, and embraces it fully. She describes her mouth as a "blooming" flower, implying that her sexuality is a natural and beautiful part of her being. The kiss itself is described as a violent act, but the woman seems to enjoy the aggression and power dynamics at play. This can be read as a subversion of traditional gender roles, where women are expected to be passive and submissive in sexual encounters. Instead, the woman in the poem takes control and actively participates in the experience.
Another theme in the poem is the idea of self-identity. The woman in the poem is not defined by her relationship to the man, but rather by her own desires and passions. She describes the kiss as a "sweetness" that she cannot resist, implying that she is driven by her own needs and wants. This is in contrast to traditional romantic narratives, where women are often portrayed as passive objects of desire, rather than active agents in their own lives.
The poem can also be read as a critique of patriarchal power structures. The woman's desire to "hook" the man back and keep him with her forever can be seen as a rejection of traditional gender roles, where men are expected to be dominant and women are expected to be subservient. The violence of the kiss can be seen as a metaphor for the violence and power imbalances that exist in patriarchal societies.
My Interpretation
In my reading of The Kiss, I see the poem as a celebration of sexual liberation and a subversion of traditional gender roles. The woman in the poem is unapologetic about her sexuality and actively participates in the experience. The violence of the kiss can be read as a metaphor for the power dynamics at play in sexual encounters, where women are often expected to be passive and submissive. By embracing her own desires and taking control of the situation, the woman in the poem challenges these traditional gender roles and asserts her own agency.
The metaphor of the mouth as a blooming flower is particularly powerful in this context. By comparing her mouth to a flower, the woman is asserting the naturalness and beauty of her sexuality. This can be seen as a rejection of societal norms that often view female sexuality as shameful or dirty. The violence of the kiss, then, can be seen as a way of reclaiming and celebrating her own sexual desires.
At the same time, however, I also see The Kiss as a critique of patriarchal power structures. The woman's desire to "hook" the man back and keep him with her forever can be seen as a rejection of traditional gender roles, where men are expected to be dominant and women are expected to be subservient. The violence of the kiss can be seen as a metaphor for the violence and power imbalances that exist in patriarchal societies. By rejecting these traditional gender roles, the woman is asserting her own power and agency in the face of societal expectations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's poem, The Kiss, is a complex and controversial piece of literature that challenges traditional notions of romantic love and self-identity. The poem can be interpreted in various ways, ranging from a celebration of sexual liberation to a critique of patriarchal power structures. In my reading of the text, I see the poem as a subversion of traditional gender roles and a celebration of female sexual agency. At the same time, however, I also see it as a critique of patriarchal power structures and a rejection of societal expectations. Overall, The Kiss is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Kiss by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that explores the complexities of love, desire, and the human experience. This poem is a powerful and evocative piece of literature that has captivated readers for decades. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in The Kiss, and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a kiss that she shared with someone. The kiss is described as being "like a small death," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "death" suggests that the kiss was intense and overwhelming, and that it had a profound impact on the speaker.
Throughout the poem, the speaker uses vivid imagery to describe the kiss. She describes it as being "like an arrow," which suggests that it was quick and powerful. She also describes it as being "like a bullet," which suggests that it was dangerous and potentially harmful. These images create a sense of urgency and danger, which adds to the intensity of the poem.
The speaker also uses symbolism to convey the meaning of the kiss. She describes it as being "like a key," which suggests that it unlocked something within her. This could be interpreted as the speaker unlocking her emotions or desires, or it could be interpreted as the kiss unlocking a deeper understanding of herself.
Another important symbol used in the poem is the image of the "black swan." The speaker describes the kiss as being "like a black swan," which suggests that it was rare and unexpected. The black swan is also a symbol of transformation and change, which could suggest that the kiss had a transformative effect on the speaker.
The theme of love and desire is also explored in The Kiss. The speaker describes the kiss as being "like a lover's kiss," which suggests that it was intimate and passionate. She also describes it as being "like a child's kiss," which suggests that it was innocent and pure. These contrasting images suggest that the kiss was both romantic and innocent, which adds to the complexity of the poem.
The theme of mortality is also present in The Kiss. The speaker describes the kiss as being "like a small death," which suggests that it was a reminder of our own mortality. The use of the word "small" suggests that the kiss was a small reminder of our own mortality, but that it had a profound impact nonetheless.
The use of language in The Kiss is also worth noting. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the speaker to use language in a more fluid and expressive way. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "like," creates a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. The use of enjambment, where the lines flow into each other without punctuation, creates a sense of continuity and fluidity.
In conclusion, The Kiss by Anne Sexton is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of love, desire, and the human experience. The use of vivid imagery, symbolism, and language creates a sense of urgency and intensity that draws the reader in. The themes of love, desire, mortality, and transformation are all explored in this poem, which adds to its depth and complexity. Overall, The Kiss is a classic poem that continues to captivate readers with its beauty and power.
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