'The Fury Of Overshoes' by Anne Sexton
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They sit in a row
outside the kindergarten,
black, red, brown, all
with those brass buckles.
Remember when you couldn't
buckle your own
overshoe
or tie your own
overshoe
or tie your own shoe
or cut your own meat
and the tears
running down like mud
because you fell off your
tricycle?
Remember, big fish,
when you couldn't swim
and simply slipped under
like a stone frog?
The world wasn't
yours.
It belonged to
the big people.
Under your bed
sat the wolf
and he made a shadow
when cars passed by
at night.
They made you give up
your nightlight
and your teddy
and your thumb.
Oh overshoes,
don't you
remember me,
pushing you up and down
in the winter snow?
Oh thumb,
I want a drink,
it is dark,
where are the big people,
when will I get there,
taking giant steps
all day,
each day
and thinking
nothing of it?
Submitted by RW
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Fury Of Overshoes: A Masterpiece Of Confessional Poetry
Anne Sexton's poem, The Fury Of Overshoes, is a stunning example of confessional poetry that explores themes of family dysfunction, mental illness, and the search for identity. Written in 1960, this poem is considered one of Sexton's most powerful works and has been widely studied and analyzed by literary scholars around the world.
Overview of the Poem
The Fury Of Overshoes is a deeply personal and autobiographical poem that traces the speaker's journey from childhood to adulthood. The poem is divided into four sections, each of which reflects a different stage of the speaker's life.
In the first section, the speaker describes her childhood, which she characterizes as a time of fear and confusion. She recalls her father's abusive behavior, which she likens to a storm, and his eventual departure from the family. The speaker also describes her own mental illness, which she refers to as a "madness" that she inherited from her mother.
In the second section, the speaker describes her adolescence, which she characterizes as a time of rebellion and experimentation. She recalls her sexual experiences, her drug use, and her attempts to escape her family's dysfunction.
In the third section, the speaker describes her adulthood, which she characterizes as a time of self-discovery and acceptance. She reflects on her relationships, her creative work, and her ongoing struggle with mental illness.
In the final section, the speaker reflects on the meaning of her life and her relationships. She expresses a sense of acceptance and gratitude for the people who have supported her, even as she acknowledges the pain and difficulty of her journey.
Themes and Motifs
One of the key themes of The Fury Of Overshoes is the search for identity. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with questions of who she is, where she comes from, and what kind of life she wants to lead. She reflects on the influence of her family, her mental illness, and her own desires and experiences in shaping her sense of self.
Another key theme of the poem is family dysfunction. The speaker describes a childhood marked by abuse, neglect, and mental illness, and she reflects on the impact that these experiences have had on her life. She also explores the ways in which her own behavior and choices have contributed to the dysfunction of her family and relationships.
One of the most striking motifs in the poem is the use of weather imagery to convey the speaker's emotional states. Throughout the poem, the speaker describes her emotions in terms of storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters. This motif underscores the intensity and volatility of the speaker's feelings, as well as the sense of chaos and unpredictability that characterizes her life.
Interpretation
The Fury Of Overshoes is a complex and multi-layered poem that rewards close reading and careful analysis. At its core, the poem is a deeply personal and confessional work that reflects Sexton's own struggles with mental illness, family dysfunction, and the search for identity.
One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is its unflinching honesty. Sexton does not shy away from depicting the ugliness and pain of her experiences, nor does she try to sugarcoat or romanticize her own behavior. Instead, she lays bare the raw truth of her life, sharing her deepest fears, desires, and regrets with the reader.
Another striking aspect of the poem is its use of vivid and evocative imagery. Sexton's descriptions of storms, hurricanes, and other natural disasters bring a sense of drama and intensity to the poem, underscoring the speaker's emotional volatility and the turbulence of her life.
Finally, the poem is notable for its exploration of the theme of self-discovery. Throughout the poem, the speaker grapples with questions of identity and selfhood, reflecting on the ways in which her past experiences and relationships have shaped her sense of self. Ultimately, she finds a sense of acceptance and gratitude for the people who have supported her, even as she acknowledges the pain and difficulty of her journey.
Conclusion
The Fury Of Overshoes is a stunning work of confessional poetry that combines raw honesty, vivid imagery, and deep introspection. Through her exploration of themes of family dysfunction, mental illness, and the search for identity, Anne Sexton offers a powerful and compelling portrait of one woman's journey through life. This poem remains a timeless and enduring work of literature, and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexity and richness of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Fury of Overshoes: A Poem of Anger and Frustration
Anne Sexton's poem, The Fury of Overshoes, is a powerful expression of anger and frustration. It is a poem that speaks to the human experience of feeling trapped, overwhelmed, and powerless. Through vivid imagery and a raw, emotional voice, Sexton captures the intensity of these feelings and the struggle to find a way out.
The poem begins with a description of overshoes, a practical item of clothing that protects shoes from the elements. However, Sexton quickly turns this mundane object into a symbol of oppression and confinement. She writes, "Overshoes, / they buckle and zip up, / covering the needy shoes / and then they stand out like big boxes / admitting nothing but feet." Here, overshoes become a metaphor for the limitations and restrictions that we impose on ourselves and others. They are a barrier that prevents us from fully experiencing the world around us.
Sexton then moves on to describe the speaker's frustration with the overshoes. She writes, "I hate them for the way they ignore / the poor shoes that need them." This line highlights the speaker's sense of injustice and anger at the overshoes for not fulfilling their purpose. It also suggests a deeper frustration with the way that society often ignores the needs of the vulnerable and marginalized.
The poem then takes a darker turn as Sexton describes the speaker's desire to destroy the overshoes. She writes, "I want to take a hammer / and batter them into nothingness." This violent imagery is a reflection of the speaker's intense emotions and the sense of powerlessness that comes with feeling trapped. It also speaks to the human desire for control and agency in our lives.
Sexton then shifts the focus of the poem to the speaker's relationship with her mother. She writes, "My mother tells me to put them on / and I tell her I hate them / and then she tells me / to stop screaming." This exchange highlights the tension between the speaker and her mother, as well as the generational divide between them. It also suggests a larger societal pressure to conform and accept the limitations that are placed upon us.
The poem then returns to the overshoes, which have now become a symbol of the speaker's own internal struggles. Sexton writes, "They are the wrong shoes / but they are all I have / and they are with me / wherever I go." Here, the overshoes represent the speaker's own limitations and insecurities. They are a reminder of the ways in which we can become trapped by our own fears and doubts.
The poem ends with a powerful image of the speaker breaking free from the overshoes. Sexton writes, "I take them off / and throw them in the trash / and then I walk barefoot / down the cold street." This final image is a symbol of liberation and freedom. It suggests that we have the power to break free from the limitations that we impose on ourselves and to embrace the world around us.
Overall, The Fury of Overshoes is a powerful and emotional poem that speaks to the human experience of feeling trapped and powerless. Through vivid imagery and a raw, emotional voice, Sexton captures the intensity of these feelings and the struggle to find a way out. It is a poem that encourages us to break free from the limitations that we impose on ourselves and to embrace the world around us with open arms.
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