'The Doctor Of The Heart' by Anne Sexton
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Take away your knowledge, Doktor.
It doesn't butter me up.
You say my heart is sick unto.
You ought to have more respect!
you with the goo on the suction cup.
You with your wires and electrodes
fastened at my ankle and wrist,
sucking up the biological breast.
You with your zigzag machine
playing like the stock market up and down.
Give me the Phi Beta key you always twirl
and I will make a gold crown for my molar.
I will take a slug if you please
and make myself a perfectly good appendix.
Give me a fingernail for an eyeglass.
The world was milky all along.
I will take an iron and press out
my slipped disk until it is flat.
But take away my mother's carcinoma
for I have only one cup of fetus tears.
Take away my father's cerebral hemorrhage
for I have only a jigger of blood in my hand.
Take away my sister's broken neck
for I have only my schoolroom ruler for a cure.
Is there such a device for my heart?
I have only a gimmick called magic fingers.
Let me dilate like a bad debt.
Here is a sponge. I can squeeze it myself.
O heart, tobacco red heart,
beat like a rock guitar.
I am at the ship's prow.
I am no longer the suicide
with her raft and paddle.
Herr Doktor! I'll no longer die
to spite you, you wallowing
seasick grounded man.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Doctor Of The Heart: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
The Doctor Of The Heart by Anne Sexton is a classic poem that delves into the complexities of love and the human heart. The poem is a beautiful piece of literary work that has captured the hearts of readers over the years. In this literary criticism and interpretation of The Doctor Of The Heart, we will analyze the themes, literary devices, and the use of imagery in the poem. We will also explore the meanings hidden within the lines of the poem and the author's intention for writing it.
Themes
The Doctor Of The Heart is a poem that explores the different aspects of love. From the first line of the poem, it is clear that the author is talking about love. The poem, however, is not just about the joys of love or the pleasures of being in love. Instead, it is a poem that explores the darker side of love. The themes of love, loss, and heartbreak feature prominently in the poem.
The poem is a reflection of the author's personal life experiences. Anne Sexton was a poet who was known for writing about her personal struggles. Her poems were a way for her to express the pain and the darkness that she felt within her. The Doctor Of The Heart is a perfect example of this. The poem is a reflection of the author's personal feelings of heartbreak and loss.
Literary Devices
Sexton makes use of a number of literary devices in The Doctor Of The Heart. One of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The author uses vivid imagery to bring the poem to life. The use of imagery in the poem helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood.
For instance, in the first stanza, the author uses the image of "the doctor of the heart" to create an atmosphere of seriousness and importance. The image of the doctor is one that is associated with healing and care.
The author also makes use of metaphors in the poem to convey her messages. For example, the author uses the metaphor of the "heart's blackboard" to represent the pain that comes with heartbreak. The metaphor of the "blackboard" is a powerful one that helps to convey the sense of darkness and despair that comes with heartbreak.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. The author repeats the phrase "the doctor of the heart" throughout the poem. This repetition helps to emphasize the importance of the doctor and the role that he plays in healing the heart.
Imagery
As mentioned earlier, imagery is one of the most prominent literary devices used in The Doctor Of The Heart. The author uses vivid and powerful imagery to bring the poem to life.
For instance, in the second stanza, the author describes the heart as a "cave of darkness". This image is a powerful one that helps to convey the sense of despair and hopelessness that comes with heartbreak. The author also uses the image of a "bird of prey" to describe the pain that comes with heartbreak. This image is a powerful one that helps to convey the sense of loss and despair that comes with heartbreak.
The author also uses the image of a "knife" in the poem. This image is used to describe the pain that comes with heartbreak. The image of the knife is a powerful one that helps to convey the sense of pain and suffering that comes with heartbreak.
Interpretation
The Doctor Of The Heart is a poem that is open to interpretation. The poem can be interpreted in a number of ways depending on the reader's perspective.
One interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the author's personal struggles with heartbreak. The poem can be seen as a way for the author to express her personal feelings of pain and loss.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a commentary on the nature of love. The poem can be seen as a reflection on the fact that love is not always perfect. Love can be painful and can lead to heartbreak.
The poem can also be seen as a commentary on the healing power of love. The doctor in the poem can be seen as a metaphor for love. Love has the power to heal and to mend broken hearts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Doctor Of The Heart is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of love and heartbreak. The use of literary devices such as imagery and metaphors help to bring the poem to life. The poem is a reflection of the author's personal struggles and can be interpreted in a number of ways. The poem is a reminder that love is not always perfect, but it has the power to heal and to mend broken hearts.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Doctor of the Heart: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her confessional poetry that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, The Doctor of the Heart, is a masterpiece that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the human heart. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the doctor of the heart, who is a metaphor for a lover or a therapist. The speaker is seeking help for her broken heart, which is a common theme in Sexton's poetry. The doctor of the heart is portrayed as a healer who can mend the speaker's broken heart. The use of the word "doctor" implies that the speaker sees her heartbreak as a physical ailment that needs to be cured.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker describes her heart as a "wild thing" that has been tamed by the doctor. The use of the word "wild" suggests that the speaker's heart was once untamed and uncontrollable, but the doctor has brought it under control. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a bird to describe her heart, which is a common symbol in Sexton's poetry. The bird represents the speaker's emotions, which are fragile and easily hurt.
In the second stanza, the speaker describes the doctor's methods for healing her heart. The doctor uses a "silver needle" to sew up the speaker's heart, which is a metaphor for the healing process. The use of the word "silver" suggests that the healing process is precious and valuable. The speaker also describes the doctor's touch as "gentle" and "firm," which implies that the doctor is both caring and skilled.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker describes the pain of heartbreak as a "black hole" that sucks everything in. The use of the word "black" suggests that the pain is dark and all-consuming. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a "worm" to describe the pain, which implies that it is a destructive force that eats away at the speaker's heart.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker describes the doctor's ability to heal not just the physical heart but also the emotional heart. The doctor is able to "mend the broken heart" and "heal the wounded soul." The use of the word "soul" suggests that the doctor is not just healing the speaker's physical heart but also her spiritual self. The speaker also describes the doctor's touch as "holy," which implies that the healing process is sacred and divine.
The fifth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker describes the doctor's ability to bring the dead back to life. The doctor is able to "raise the dead" and "bring back the lost." The use of the word "dead" suggests that the speaker's heart was once lifeless and without hope, but the doctor has brought it back to life. The speaker also uses the metaphor of a "lost child" to describe herself, which implies that she was once lost and without direction, but the doctor has helped her find her way.
In the final stanza, the speaker expresses her gratitude to the doctor. She describes the doctor as a "miracle worker" who has saved her life. The use of the word "miracle" suggests that the healing process was something extraordinary and beyond human understanding. The speaker also describes the doctor's touch as "blessed," which implies that the healing process was a divine intervention.
In conclusion, The Doctor of the Heart is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton that explores the complexities of love, loss, and the human heart. The poem uses powerful metaphors and symbols to convey the speaker's emotions and experiences. The doctor of the heart is portrayed as a healer who can mend not just the physical heart but also the emotional and spiritual heart. The poem is a testament to the power of love and the human spirit to overcome even the darkest of pains.
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