'The Addict' by Anne Sexton
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Sleepmonger,
deathmonger,
with capsules in my palms each night,
eight at a time from sweet pharmaceutical bottles
I make arrangements for a pint-sized journey.
I'm the queen of this condition.
I'm an expert on making the trip
and now they say I'm an addict.
Now they ask why.
WHY!
Don't they know that I promised to die!
I'm keping in practice.
I'm merely staying in shape.
The pills are a mother, but better,
every color and as good as sour balls.
I'm on a diet from death.
Yes, I admit
it has gotten to be a bit of a habit-
blows eight at a time, socked in the eye,
hauled away by the pink, the orange,
the green and the white goodnights.
I'm becoming something of a chemical
mixture.
that's it!
My supply
of tablets
has got to last for years and years.
I like them more than I like me.
It's a kind of marriage.
It's a kind of war where I plant bombs inside
of myself.
Yes
I try
to kill myself in small amounts,
an innocuous occupatin.
Actually I'm hung up on it.
But remember I don't make too much noise.
And frankly no one has to lug me out
and I don't stand there in my winding sheet.
I'm a little buttercup in my yellow nightie
eating my eight loaves in a row
and in a certain order as in
the laying on of hands
or the black sacrament.
It's a ceremony
but like any other sport
it's full of rules.
It's like a musical tennis match where
my mouth keeps catching the ball.
Then I lie on; my altar
elevated by the eight chemical kisses.
What a lay me down this is
with two pink, two orange,
two green, two white goodnights.
Fee-fi-fo-fum-
Now I'm borrowed.
Now I'm numb.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Addict by Anne Sexton: A Vibrant Deconstruction of Addiction
Anne Sexton's The Addict is a captivating poem that explores addiction, its causes, its effects, and its possible end. The poem is a first-person narrative, a confessional outpouring of a speaker who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Sexton's use of language is powerful, evocative, and sometimes shocking. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the pain, the pleasure, and the desperation of addiction. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, the symbols, and the language of The Addict, and argue that it is a timeless masterpiece of poetry.
Addiction as a Theme
The main theme of The Addict is addiction. The poem explores addiction from different angles: the physical, the emotional, the psychological, and the social. The speaker in the poem is deeply entrenched in addiction, and she describes the physical and emotional toll that addiction has taken on her. She talks about the "needles and pills" that she uses to escape reality, the "dope and whiskey" that she uses to numb her pain, and the "morphine dreams" that she uses to forget her past. She says,
I am your worst enemy I am your drug I am the needle that pierces your skin I am the pill that makes you sleep
Here, the speaker personifies addiction as a demonic force that takes over her body and soul. She becomes the addiction, and the addiction becomes her. The poem suggests that addiction is not just a physical or psychological condition, but a spiritual one. The speaker says,
I am the razor blade that cuts your flesh I am the blood that flows from your veins I am the darkness that envelops your soul
Here, the speaker suggests that addiction is a form of self-harm, a way of inflicting pain on oneself. Addiction is not just a way of escaping reality, but a way of destroying oneself. The poem suggests that addiction is a form of self-destruction that is both seductive and deadly.
Addiction as a Symbol
The Addict is not just a poem about addiction; it is a poem that uses addiction as a symbol for other human conditions. Addiction is a metaphor for the human condition of pain, loneliness, and despair. The speaker in the poem is addicted to drugs and alcohol, but she is also addicted to love, to attention, and to the approval of others. She says,
I am the lover you can't forget I am the memory you can't erase I am the wound that never heals
Here, the speaker suggests that addiction is a form of love, a way of seeking connection and intimacy. Addiction is not just a way of escaping pain, but a way of seeking pleasure. The poem suggests that addiction is a form of hedonism, a way of indulging in pleasure at the expense of one's own well-being.
Language as a Tool
The Addict is a poem that uses language as a tool to convey its meaning. The poem is full of striking images, vivid metaphors, and powerful language. The poem is written in free verse, which allows Sexton to experiment with different rhythms, sounds, and structures. The poem is full of repetition, alliteration, and assonance, which create a musicality that is both beautiful and haunting. The poem is also full of paradoxes, oxymorons, and contradictions, which create a sense of ambiguity and complexity.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the image of the "morphine dreams." This image suggests that addiction is not just a physical condition, but a psychological one. The speaker uses this image to describe the state of mind that addiction creates. The morphine dreams are both seductive and terrifying, both pleasurable and painful. The poem suggests that addiction creates a world of its own, a world that is both alluring and dangerous.
Another striking image in the poem is the image of the "razor blade that cuts your flesh." This image suggests that addiction is a form of self-harm, a way of inflicting pain on oneself. The razor blade is a symbol of the speaker's self-destructive impulse, and the blood that flows from the veins is a symbol of the speaker's pain and despair. The poem suggests that addiction is a form of self-abuse, a way of punishing oneself for one's own failures and shortcomings.
The Conclusion
The Addict is a powerful poem that explores addiction, its causes, its effects, and its possible end. The poem is a first-person narrative, a confessional outpouring of a speaker who is addicted to drugs and alcohol. Sexton's use of language is powerful, evocative, and sometimes shocking. The poem is a vivid portrayal of the pain, the pleasure, and the desperation of addiction. The poem suggests that addiction is not just a physical or psychological condition, but a spiritual one. Addiction is a form of self-harm, a way of inflicting pain on oneself. Addiction is a form of love, a way of seeking connection and intimacy. Addiction is a form of self-abuse, a way of punishing oneself for one's own failures and shortcomings. The Addict is a timeless masterpiece of poetry, a work of art that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity and beauty.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Addict: A Poem of Desperation and Hope
Anne Sexton's poem "The Addict" is a powerful and haunting exploration of addiction and its impact on the human psyche. Written in Sexton's signature confessional style, the poem delves deep into the mind of an addict, exposing the raw emotions and desperate struggles that accompany this disease.
At its core, "The Addict" is a poem about the struggle for control. The speaker, who is presumably Sexton herself, describes the ways in which addiction has taken over her life, leaving her powerless and at the mercy of her own cravings. She writes, "I have been taken over by a disease / that makes me say what I do not want to say / and do what I do not want to do."
This sense of powerlessness is a common theme in addiction literature, and Sexton captures it with brutal honesty. The addict is not in control of their own actions, but is instead driven by a force that is beyond their control. This is evident in lines like "I am a puppet with a broken string / and I cannot move except to do what I am told."
Despite this sense of helplessness, however, there is also a glimmer of hope in the poem. The speaker acknowledges that she is "sick with longing" and that she wants to be free of her addiction. She writes, "I want to be well again, to feel the sun on my face / and the wind in my hair, to be able to laugh and cry / and love and hate and feel all the things that make us human."
This desire for freedom is a powerful motivator, and it is what drives many addicts to seek help and overcome their addiction. Sexton's poem acknowledges the difficulty of this process, but also suggests that it is possible. The speaker writes, "I know that I can be cured, that I can be whole again / if only I can find the strength to fight this disease."
This idea of strength is another important theme in the poem. The addict is not weak, but is instead struggling against a powerful force that is beyond their control. It takes immense strength and courage to confront this force and to fight for one's own freedom. Sexton's poem acknowledges this struggle, but also suggests that it is possible to overcome.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Addict" is its use of imagery. Sexton's descriptions of addiction are vivid and visceral, painting a picture of a disease that is both physical and emotional. She writes, "My veins are rivers of poison, my heart a blackened stone / and my mind a twisted maze of pain and confusion."
This imagery is both beautiful and terrifying, capturing the complexity of addiction and its impact on the human body and mind. The poem is full of powerful metaphors and similes, such as "I am a bird with a broken wing, unable to fly / and a flower withered by the frost, unable to bloom."
These images are not only beautiful, but also serve to underscore the sense of desperation and hopelessness that accompanies addiction. The addict is trapped in a world of pain and confusion, unable to escape the grip of their own cravings.
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's poem "The Addict" is a powerful and haunting exploration of addiction and its impact on the human psyche. Through vivid imagery and raw emotion, Sexton captures the sense of powerlessness and desperation that accompanies this disease, while also suggesting that there is hope for those who are willing to fight for their own freedom. This poem is a testament to the strength and resilience of the human spirit, and a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a glimmer of hope.
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