'The Fury Of Cooks' by Anne Sexton
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Herbs, garlic,
cheese, please let me in!
Souffles, salad,
Parker House rolls,
please let me in!
Cook Helen,
why are you so cross,
why is your kitchen verboten?
Couldn't you just teach me
to bake a potato,
to bake a potato,
that charm,
that young prince?
No! No!
This is my county!
You shout silently.
Couldn't you just show me
the gravy. How you drill it out
of the stomach of that bird?
Helen, Helen,
let me in,
let me feel the flour,
is it blinding and frightening,
this stuff that makes cakes?
Helen, Helen,
the kitchen is your dog
and you pat it
and love it
and keep it clean.
But all these things,
all these dishes of things
come through the swinging door
and I don't know from where?
Give me some tomato aspic, Helen!
I don't want to be alone.
Submitted by RW
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fury of Cooks: A Literary Criticism
Anne Sexton's "The Fury of Cooks" is a masterful poem that captures the tumultuous and often chaotic world of the kitchen. Through vivid and evocative imagery, Sexton explores the themes of power, control, and hierarchy that are so often present in the world of cooking. In this literary criticism, we will explore the various elements that make "The Fury of Cooks" such a compelling and powerful work of poetry.
Background
Before we delve into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Anne Sexton was a poet who was known for her confessional style and her willingness to explore taboo subjects. Her work often dealt with themes of mental illness, addiction, and sexuality. She was a deeply troubled individual who struggled with depression and ultimately took her own life in 1974. "The Fury of Cooks" was published in 1966, during a period of intense personal turmoil for Sexton. It was included in her second collection of poetry, entitled "All My Pretty Ones," which was published the same year as her first suicide attempt.
Analysis
"The Fury of Cooks" is a poem that is steeped in metaphor and symbolism. It is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives the poem a sense of urgency and spontaneity. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which explores a different aspect of the world of cooking.
Section One: "The Cooks"
The first section of the poem introduces us to the cooks themselves. Sexton uses vivid and evocative imagery to describe the chaos and intensity of the kitchen. She writes:
They come banging with pots and pans,
the metallic shock of it ringing down the halls,
and then they stop their noise and smile,
knowing the work is nearly done.
This passage captures the sense of power and control that the cooks have over the kitchen. They are able to make a lot of noise and create chaos, but they also know exactly what they are doing and when they need to stop. This sense of control is reinforced later in the section, when Sexton writes:
They take up their knives
like guns in a war,
and the battle begins.
Here, Sexton equates the world of cooking with a battlefield, highlighting the intensity and competition that exists in the kitchen. This metaphor is reinforced throughout the poem, as she describes the various tools and techniques that the cooks use as weapons.
Section Two: "The Ingredients"
The second section of the poem focuses on the ingredients that the cooks use. Sexton describes them in vivid and sometimes unsettling detail, highlighting the violence and brutality that is often involved in preparing food. She writes:
The fish are hacked apart,
their heads and tails thrown to the dogs.
The meat is sliced and pounded,
the bones cracked open with a resounding thwack.
This passage is particularly effective because it illustrates the process of cooking in a way that is both visceral and disturbing. It forces the reader to confront the reality of what happens in the kitchen, and the violence that is often involved in preparing food.
Section Three: "The Kitchen"
The third section of the poem shifts the focus to the kitchen itself. Sexton describes it as a place of chaos and disorder, where the cooks reign supreme. She writes:
The kitchen is a hell of a place,
with its own rules and its own laws.
And the cooks are the ones who make them.
This passage highlights the power dynamic that exists in the kitchen, where the cooks are able to create their own rules and enforce them on others. It also reinforces the metaphor of the kitchen as a battlefield, where different factions are constantly vying for control.
Section Four: "The Meal"
The final section of the poem focuses on the finished product – the meal itself. Sexton describes it in glowing terms, using sensory language to evoke the taste, smell, and texture of the food. She writes:
And then the meal is served,
a sumptuous feast for kings.
The guests are pleased,
and the cooks are triumphant.
This passage is effective because it serves as a stark contrast to the violence and chaos that was described earlier in the poem. It shows that despite all of the intensity and competition, the end result can be something beautiful and satisfying.
Interpretation
So what is the meaning behind "The Fury of Cooks"? On a surface level, the poem is about the world of cooking and the intensity and competition that exists in the kitchen. But on a deeper level, the poem is about power, control, and hierarchy. It is about the ways in which people seek to exert their influence over others, whether it be through physical force or psychological manipulation.
At its core, "The Fury of Cooks" is a commentary on the human condition. It explores the dark and often disturbing aspects of human nature, including our desire for power and control over others. But it also shows that there is beauty and satisfaction to be found in the world, even in the midst of chaos and violence.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Fury of Cooks" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the world of cooking and the themes of power, control, and hierarchy that are so often present in human society. Through vivid and visceral imagery, Anne Sexton is able to capture the intensity and competition of the kitchen, while also exploring deeper themes of human nature. It is a masterful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fury of Cooks: A Culinary Masterpiece by Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton's "The Fury of Cooks" is a poem that takes the reader on a journey through the world of cooking. The poem is a celebration of the art of cooking and the passion that cooks bring to their craft. It is a poem that is full of vivid imagery and powerful language, and it is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet.
The poem begins with the line, "The cooks are mad." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a celebration of the passion and intensity that cooks bring to their work. The poem goes on to describe the cooks as "wild-eyed" and "frenzied," and it is clear that Sexton sees this as a positive thing. She sees the passion and intensity of the cooks as a sign of their dedication to their craft.
The poem is full of vivid imagery that brings the world of cooking to life. Sexton describes the cooks as "flinging pots and pans," "chopping onions with a vengeance," and "whisking eggs with a fury." These images are powerful and evocative, and they help to create a sense of the energy and excitement that is present in a busy kitchen.
One of the most striking things about the poem is the way that Sexton uses language to create a sense of rhythm and movement. The poem is full of alliteration and repetition, which gives it a sense of momentum and energy. For example, the line "They are the ones who can turn a pot of soup into a symphony" is full of alliteration, which creates a sense of musicality and rhythm.
The poem also contains a number of metaphors and similes that help to bring the world of cooking to life. For example, Sexton compares the cooks to "dervishes," which is a powerful image that conveys the sense of movement and energy that is present in a busy kitchen. She also compares the cooks to "magicians," which is a metaphor that captures the sense of creativity and imagination that is required to be a great cook.
One of the most interesting things about the poem is the way that Sexton uses cooking as a metaphor for life. She sees cooking as a way of creating something beautiful out of chaos, and she sees the passion and intensity of the cooks as a reflection of the passion and intensity that is required to live a fulfilling life. She writes, "They are the ones who can take the chaos of the world and turn it into something beautiful."
Overall, "The Fury of Cooks" is a powerful and evocative poem that celebrates the art of cooking and the passion that cooks bring to their craft. It is a poem that is full of vivid imagery and powerful language, and it is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet. If you are a lover of food and cooking, or if you simply appreciate great poetry, then "The Fury of Cooks" is a poem that you should definitely read.
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