'Baby Picture' by Anne Sexton
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It's in the heart of the grape
where that smile lies.
It's in the good-bye-bow in the hair
where that smile lies.
It's in the clerical collar of the dress
where that smile lies.
What smile?
The smile of my seventh year,
caught here in the painted photograph.
It's peeling now, age has got it,
a kind of cancer of the background
and also in the assorted features.
It's like a rotten flag
or a vegetable from the refrigerator,
pocked with mold.
I am aging without sound,
into darkness, darkness.
Anne,
who are you?
I open the vein
and my blood rings like roller skates.
I open the mouth
and my teeth are an angry army.
I open the eyes
and they go sick like dogs
with what they have seen.
I open the hair
and it falls apart like dust balls.
I open the dress
and I see a child bent on a toilet seat.
I crouch there, sitting dumbly
pushing the enemas out like ice cream,
letting the whole brown world
turn into sweets.
Anne,
who are you?
Merely a kid keeping alive.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Baby Picture by Anne Sexton: A Poem about the Fragility of Childhood
Anne Sexton's Baby Picture is a classic poem that captures the innocence and vulnerability of childhood. This poem is a reflection on the past, a reminiscence of the poet's own childhood, and a meditation on the fleeting nature of life.
At its core, Baby Picture is a poem about the fragility of childhood. The poet uses vivid images and metaphors to convey this idea. She describes the baby in the picture as "a small, delicate bone that would break in two" and "a thin curve of flesh, red in the sun". These images suggest that the baby is fragile and vulnerable, and that its life is precarious.
The poet also uses the image of a "yellow halo" around the baby's head to suggest its innocence and purity. This halo is a symbol of the baby's goodness and purity, and it reinforces the idea that childhood is a time of innocence and goodness.
Another key theme in Baby Picture is the idea of loss and nostalgia. The poet looks back on her childhood with a sense of longing and sadness. She describes the baby in the picture as "a ghost that has gone beyond recall", and she suggests that her own childhood is similarly lost and irretrievable.
The poem is also about memory and the power of images to evoke memories. The poet describes how the baby in the picture "smiles for the camera" and "turns its head". These actions suggest that the baby is alive and full of energy, and they also suggest that the poet has a vivid memory of this moment. The image of the baby in the picture is therefore a trigger for the poet's memory, and it allows her to relive this moment from her past.
Overall, Baby Picture is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the fragility and innocence of childhood. It is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, the power of memory, and the loss and nostalgia that comes with the passage of time.
Form and Structure
The form and structure of Baby Picture is relatively simple. The poem consists of three stanzas of four lines each, and each stanza follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem is therefore relatively easy to read and understand, and its simple structure reinforces its themes of innocence and fragility.
The poet also uses enjambment to great effect in this poem. Enjambment is the technique of running one line into the next without a pause or punctuation mark. In Baby Picture, the poet uses enjambment to create a sense of flow and continuity. This technique suggests that the poet's memories of her childhood are interconnected and flowing, and that they are constantly shifting and changing.
The poem also features a number of rhetorical devices, including metaphors, similes, and personification. These devices help to bring the poem to life and make it more engaging and memorable for the reader.
Poetic Devices
Anne Sexton uses a number of poetic devices in Baby Picture to convey her themes and ideas. One of the most prominent of these devices is metaphor. The poet uses metaphors to compare the baby in the picture to various objects and beings. For example, she describes the baby as "a small, delicate bone that would break in two", which compares the baby's fragility to that of a fragile bone.
The poet also uses simile to great effect in this poem. For example, she describes the baby's "thin curve of flesh, red in the sun", which compares the baby's skin to a thin, red ribbon. This simile emphasizes the baby's fragility and vulnerability, and it reinforces the poem's central theme.
Personification is another important poetic device in Baby Picture. The poet personifies the baby in the picture, describing how it "smiles for the camera" and "turns its head". This personification suggests that the baby is alive and full of energy, and it reinforces the poem's themes of innocence and fragility.
The poem also features a number of sensory images, including the image of the baby's "yellow halo" and the description of the baby's skin as "red in the sun". These images help to bring the poem to life and create a vivid picture in the reader's mind.
Themes and Ideas
The central theme of Baby Picture is the fragility and innocence of childhood. The poem is a reflection on the past, a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the power of memory, and a commentary on the loss and nostalgia that comes with the passage of time.
The poem also explores the idea of identity and the way in which our childhood experiences shape us as individuals. The poet looks back on the baby in the picture with a sense of longing and sadness, suggesting that her own childhood experiences have had a profound impact on her life.
Another important theme in Baby Picture is the idea of mortality and the inevitability of death. The poet suggests that childhood is a time of innocence and purity, but that this innocence is fleeting and fragile. The image of the baby's "yellow halo" suggests that this innocence is a kind of protective shield, but that it is ultimately unable to protect the baby from the harsh realities of life.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton's Baby Picture is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the fragility and innocence of childhood. The poem is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life, the power of memory, and the loss and nostalgia that comes with the passage of time. Through vivid imagery, metaphor, and personification, the poet creates a vivid portrait of the baby in the picture, and she explores the themes of identity, mortality, and the fragility of childhood. Baby Picture is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it stands as a testament to the power of poetry to capture the complexities and beauty of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Enigmatic Beauty of Anne Sexton's "Baby Picture"
Anne Sexton is a name that needs no introduction in the world of poetry. Her works are known for their raw honesty, unflinching exploration of the human psyche, and the ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in a few lines. One of her most celebrated poems, "Baby Picture," is a perfect example of her poetic prowess. In this article, we will delve into the enigmatic beauty of this poem and explore its various themes, motifs, and symbols.
The Poem
Before we begin our analysis, let us first take a look at the poem itself:
A baby’s first step,
as important as it is,
hardly compares to that
enormous first step
adults must take
against their own fears
and flawed beliefs.
Oh, I had to learn
to walk alone
and I have stumbled
from time to time.
But how much more
terrible it would have been
if I had been born
a woman.
At first glance, the poem seems deceptively simple. It consists of only six lines, and the language used is straightforward. However, as we delve deeper, we realize that there is much more to this poem than meets the eye.
Themes
One of the central themes of the poem is the idea of growth and development. The first two lines of the poem set the tone for this theme. The speaker acknowledges that a baby's first step is an important milestone, but it pales in comparison to the first step that adults must take against their own fears and flawed beliefs. This line is a metaphor for the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that every individual must undertake.
The second theme that the poem explores is the idea of independence. The speaker talks about how she had to learn to walk alone and how she has stumbled from time to time. This line is a metaphor for the struggles that individuals face when they try to break free from the constraints of society and establish their own identity.
The third and most prominent theme of the poem is the idea of gender inequality. The last two lines of the poem are a stark reminder of the fact that women have to face more obstacles in their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. The speaker says that it would have been much more terrible if she had been born a woman. This line is a commentary on the patriarchal society that we live in, where women are often denied the same opportunities as men.
Motifs
One of the most striking motifs in the poem is the use of the metaphor of walking. The first two lines of the poem talk about a baby's first step, and the speaker compares it to the first step that adults must take against their own fears and flawed beliefs. This metaphor is used to convey the idea of growth and development.
The second motif that the poem explores is the idea of stumbling. The speaker talks about how she has stumbled from time to time, which is a metaphor for the struggles that individuals face when they try to break free from the constraints of society and establish their own identity.
Symbols
The most prominent symbol in the poem is the image of the baby. The first line of the poem talks about a baby's first step, which is a symbol for the beginning of life and the journey of self-discovery that every individual must undertake.
The second symbol that the poem explores is the idea of fear. The speaker talks about the first step that adults must take against their own fears and flawed beliefs. This symbol is used to convey the idea that fear is one of the biggest obstacles that individuals face in their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth.
Analysis
The poem "Baby Picture" is a powerful commentary on the journey of self-discovery and personal growth that every individual must undertake. The speaker acknowledges that a baby's first step is an important milestone, but it pales in comparison to the first step that adults must take against their own fears and flawed beliefs. This line is a metaphor for the struggles that individuals face when they try to break free from the constraints of society and establish their own identity.
The poem also explores the idea of gender inequality. The last two lines of the poem are a stark reminder of the fact that women have to face more obstacles in their journey towards self-discovery and personal growth. The speaker says that it would have been much more terrible if she had been born a woman. This line is a commentary on the patriarchal society that we live in, where women are often denied the same opportunities as men.
The use of the metaphor of walking and stumbling is also significant. The speaker talks about how she had to learn to walk alone and how she has stumbled from time to time. This line is a metaphor for the struggles that individuals face when they try to break free from the constraints of society and establish their own identity.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Baby Picture" is a powerful poem that explores the themes of growth, development, independence, and gender inequality. The use of metaphors, motifs, and symbols adds depth and complexity to the poem, making it a timeless piece of literature. Anne Sexton's ability to capture the complexities of human emotions in a few lines is truly remarkable, and "Baby Picture" is a perfect example of her poetic prowess.
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