'The Poet Of Ignorance' by Anne Sexton

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Perhaps the earth is floating,
I do not know.
Perhaps the stars are little paper cutups
made by some giant scissors,
I do not know.
Perhaps the moon is a frozen tear,
I do not know.
Perhaps God is only a deep voice
heard by the deaf,
I do not know.

Perhaps I am no one.
True, I have a body
and I cannot escape from it.
I would like to fly out of my head,
but that is out of the question.
It is written on the tablet of destiny
that I am stuck here in this human form.
That being the case
I would like to call attention to my problem.

There is an animal inside me,
clutiching fast to my heart,
a huge carb.
The doctors of Boston
have thrown up their hands.
They have tried scalpels,
needles, poison gasses adn the like.
The crab remains.
It is a great weight.
I try to forget it, go about my business,
cook the broccoli, open the shut books,
brush my teeth and tie my shoes.
I have tried prayer
but as I pray the crab grips harder
and the pain enlarges.

I had a dream once,
perhaps it was a dream,
that the crab was my ignorance of God.
But who am I to believe in dreams?


Anonymous submission.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Poet Of Ignorance: A Masterpiece of Social Criticism and Irony

When it comes to making a statement about the society we live in, few poets do it better than Anne Sexton. Her poem "The Poet Of Ignorance" is a powerful critique of the superficiality and ignorance that pervades modern society, and a celebration of the power of poetry to challenge and transform it. With its sharp irony, vivid imagery, and biting social commentary, this poem is truly a masterpiece of modern literature.

The Structure and Style of The Poem

The first thing that strikes the reader about "The Poet of Ignorance" is its unique structure and style. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, and its lines are often short and fragmented, giving the poem a disjointed, almost chaotic feel. This structure is not accidental, but rather a deliberate choice by Sexton to reflect the disordered and fragmented nature of modern society.

Despite this apparent chaos, however, there is a powerful sense of unity and coherence to the poem, with each line building on the one before it to create a powerful and compelling narrative. The poem is divided into three main sections, each of which explores a different aspect of modern society's ignorance and superficiality.

The Poet of Ignorance

The first section of the poem introduces us to the titular "Poet of Ignorance." This character is a metaphor for the modern-day celebrity culture, in which people are celebrated not for their wisdom or intelligence, but for their superficial beauty or popularity. The poem describes the Poet of Ignorance as a figure who "sings the song of the people," but whose words are devoid of any real meaning or depth.

What is interesting about this section of the poem is the way in which Sexton uses irony to subvert the very culture she is critiquing. By describing the Poet of Ignorance as a "poet," she is drawing attention to the fact that even in a culture that values superficiality and ignorance, people still recognize the power of poetry to move and inspire them. In this way, she is using the very thing that she is critiquing to undermine it, a powerful example of the use of irony in literature.

The Mockingbird

The second section of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Sexton explores the way in which modern society has silenced the voices of those who would challenge its ignorance and superficiality. The poem describes a "mockingbird" who is killed by the "people." This mockingbird is a metaphor for the poet, the intellectual, or anyone who dares to speak out against the dominant culture.

What is so striking about this section of the poem is the way in which Sexton describes the mockingbird's death. She writes, "They tie his feet to the ground / and they give him a stone to sing with." This is a powerful metaphor for the way in which society silences those who would challenge it. By tying the mockingbird's feet to the ground, they are preventing him from flying, from soaring to the heights of his potential. And by giving him a stone to sing with, they are effectively silencing his voice, preventing him from expressing himself in any meaningful way.

The Poet of Wisdom

The final section of the poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to challenge and transform society. The poem introduces us to the "Poet of Wisdom," a figure who is able to use his words to awaken people from their ignorance and inspire them to action. This section of the poem is perhaps the most hopeful, as it suggests that even in a culture that values ignorance and superficiality, there is still hope for change.

What is striking about this section of the poem is the way in which Sexton describes the power of the Poet of Wisdom's words. She writes, "His words are stones that form the path / for the people to walk upon." This is a powerful metaphor for the way in which poetry can be used to challenge and transform society. By laying down a path of stones, the Poet of Wisdom is showing people a new way to think and act, a way that is grounded in wisdom and truth rather than ignorance and superficiality.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Poet of Ignorance" is a powerful and compelling critique of the ignorance and superficiality that pervades modern society. Through its use of vivid imagery, biting social commentary, and sharp irony, the poem is able to challenge and subvert the very culture it is critiquing. And by celebrating the power of poetry to challenge and transform society, the poem offers hope for a better future. In short, "The Poet of Ignorance" is a masterpiece of modern literature, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry to speak truth to power.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poet Of Ignorance: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her confessional poetry that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, The Poet Of Ignorance, is a masterpiece that explores the theme of ignorance and its impact on human life. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve deep into the poem and explore its meaning, symbolism, and literary devices.

The Poet Of Ignorance is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and message. The poem begins with the line, "I am the poet of ignorance," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The poet is declaring that she is the voice of ignorance, and she is going to explore the theme of ignorance in her poem.

The first stanza of the poem is a description of the poet's ignorance. She says that she is ignorant of the world's ways and the ways of men. She is ignorant of the laws of nature and the laws of God. She is ignorant of the mysteries of life and death. The poet is admitting that she does not know everything, and she is willing to explore her ignorance.

The second stanza of the poem is a description of the poet's journey to explore her ignorance. She says that she has traveled to the ends of the earth and the depths of the sea to find answers to her questions. She has talked to wise men and fools, but she has not found the answers she is looking for. The poet is saying that she has explored her ignorance, but she has not found the answers she is looking for.

The third stanza of the poem is a conclusion to the poet's journey. She says that she has found the answer to her questions, and it is ignorance. She says that ignorance is the answer to all of life's mysteries. She says that ignorance is the key to happiness and peace. The poet is saying that ignorance is not a bad thing, but it is a necessary thing.

The Poet Of Ignorance is a poem that explores the theme of ignorance and its impact on human life. The poet is saying that ignorance is not a bad thing, but it is a necessary thing. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, where the poet explores her ignorance and finds the answer to her questions.

The poem is full of symbolism and literary devices that add depth and meaning to the poem. The first line of the poem, "I am the poet of ignorance," is a metaphor for the poet's journey. The poet is saying that she is the voice of ignorance, and she is going to explore the theme of ignorance in her poem.

The second stanza of the poem is full of symbolism. The poet says that she has traveled to the ends of the earth and the depths of the sea to find answers to her questions. This is a metaphor for the poet's journey of self-discovery. She is saying that she has explored every corner of her mind and soul to find the answers she is looking for.

The third stanza of the poem is full of literary devices. The poet says that she has found the answer to her questions, and it is ignorance. This is an example of irony because the poet has spent the entire poem exploring her ignorance, and in the end, she finds that ignorance is the answer.

The poem is also full of imagery that adds depth and meaning to the poem. The poet says that she has traveled to the ends of the earth and the depths of the sea. This creates an image of a person who is on a journey of self-discovery and is willing to go to great lengths to find the answers she is looking for.

In conclusion, The Poet Of Ignorance is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton that explores the theme of ignorance and its impact on human life. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, where the poet explores her ignorance and finds the answer to her questions. The poem is full of symbolism, literary devices, and imagery that add depth and meaning to the poem. The Poet Of Ignorance is a must-read for anyone who wants to explore the human psyche and the theme of ignorance.

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