'To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph' by Anne Sexton
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Consider Icarus, pasting those sticky wintgs on,
testing that strange little tug at his shoulder blade,
and think of that first flawless moment over the lawn
of the labyrinth. Think of the difference it made!
There below are the trees, as awkward as camels;
and here are the shocked starlings pumping past
and think of innocent Icarus who is doing quite well:
larger than a sail, over the fog and the blast
of the plushy ocean, he goes. Admire his wings!
Feel the fire at his neck and see how casually
he glances up and is caught, wondrously tunneling
into that hot eye. Who cares that feel back to the sea?
See him acclaiming the sun and come plunging down
while his sensible daddy goes straight into town.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph: A Literary Criticism
Introduction
Anne Sexton's poem "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" is a work of art that captures the essence of success, loss, and friendship. This poem is an ode to a friend who has achieved great success in their field, but Sexton's underlying message is that success often comes with a price. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its interpretation and appreciate its artistry.
Themes
The poem is about success and the price of success. Sexton's friend has achieved great success in their field, but they have lost something along the way. This poem is a reminder that success is not always what it seems. Sexton is warning her friend that they should not forget their roots and their past. The poem is also about the power of friendship. The speaker is not envious of her friend's success but rather proud of it. The poem is an ode to their friendship and how it has survived.
Structure
The poem is a four-stanza lyric poem. Each stanza contains six lines, and the poem has a consistent rhyme scheme. It follows an ABABCC pattern, where the final two lines of each stanza rhyme. The consistent rhyme scheme gives the poem a musical quality, and the repetition of the final two lines in each stanza makes the poem more memorable. The poem's structure is simple, but it's highly effective in conveying its message.
Language
The language in the poem is simple, but it's highly effective. Sexton uses a lot of imagery to convey her message. For example, she uses the metaphor of a "great bird" to describe her friend's success. This metaphor is effective because it conveys the idea that success is powerful and majestic, but it can also be dangerous. Sexton also uses the metaphor of a "flame" to describe her friend's talent. This metaphor is powerful because it conveys the idea that talent is something that can burn brightly but can also burn out. The language in the poem is highly effective in conveying its message.
Interpretation
The poem "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" is about the price of success. Sexton's friend has achieved great success in their field, but they have lost something along the way. The poem is a reminder that success is not always what it seems. Sexton's message is that her friend should not forget their roots and their past. The poem is also about the power of friendship. The speaker is not envious of her friend's success but rather proud of it. The poem is an ode to their friendship and how it has survived.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton's poem "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" is a work of art that captures the essence of success, loss, and friendship. The poem is a reminder that success is not always what it seems, and it often comes at a price. Sexton's message is that her friend should not forget their roots and their past. The poem is also an ode to the power of friendship and how it can survive even when one friend achieves great success. The poem's language is simple but highly effective in conveying its message, and its structure is simple but highly memorable. This poem is a masterpiece that reminds us that success is not everything and that the price of success can be high.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph: A Poem Analysis
Anne Sexton's poem, To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph, is a beautiful and powerful tribute to a friend who has achieved success in their work. The poem is a celebration of the friend's hard work, dedication, and perseverance, and it is a reminder that success is possible for those who are willing to put in the effort.
The poem is written in free verse, which allows Sexton to express her thoughts and emotions in a natural and unstructured way. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message and tone.
The first stanza of the poem is a reflection on the friend's journey to success. Sexton writes, "Consider Icarus, pasting those sticky wings on, testing his wingspan, / fluttering a few feet above the sea." This reference to the Greek myth of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death, is a metaphor for the friend's struggle to achieve success. The friend has taken risks, tested their limits, and overcome obstacles to reach their goal.
Sexton goes on to describe the friend's journey as "a triumph of needles and thread over the burnt-out ends of natural fiber." This metaphor suggests that the friend has worked tirelessly to achieve their success, using their skills and talents to overcome the limitations of their natural abilities.
The second stanza of the poem is a celebration of the friend's success. Sexton writes, "You have done what you wanted to do, / You have eaten that which you wanted to eat." This line is a reminder that success is not just about achieving a goal, but also about enjoying the fruits of one's labor.
Sexton goes on to describe the friend's success as "a triumph of the will / over ugliness and silence." This line is a powerful reminder that success is not just about achieving external goals, but also about overcoming internal obstacles such as self-doubt and fear.
The third and final stanza of the poem is a message of hope and encouragement. Sexton writes, "You are a witness to yourself, / the rest is silence." This line suggests that the friend's success is not just about achieving external goals, but also about finding inner peace and contentment.
Sexton goes on to write, "Now you can lie back finally / in the sweet smother of your triumph." This line is a reminder that success is not just about achieving a goal, but also about finding happiness and fulfillment in one's life.
Overall, To A Friend Whose Work Has Come To Triumph is a beautiful and powerful tribute to the power of hard work, dedication, and perseverance. The poem is a celebration of the friend's success, and it is a reminder that success is possible for those who are willing to put in the effort. The poem is a message of hope and encouragement, and it is a reminder that success is not just about achieving external goals, but also about finding inner peace and contentment.
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