'Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall' by Anne Sexton
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Oh down at the tavern
the children are singing
around their round table
and around me still.
Did you hear what it said?
I only said
how there is a pewter urn
pinned to the tavern wall,
as old as old is able
to be and be there still.
I said, the poets are tere
I hear them singing and lying
around their round table
and around me still.
Across the room is a wreath
made of a corpse's hair,
framed in glass on the wall,
as old as old is able
to be and be remembered still.
Did you hear what it said?
I only said
how I want to be there and I
would sing my songs with the liars
and my lies with all the singers.
And I would, and I would but
it's my hair in the hair wreath,
my cup pinned to the tavern wall,
my dusty face they sing beneath.
Poets are sitting in my kitchen.
Why do these poets lie?
Why do children get children and
Did you hear what it said?
I only said
how I want to be there,
Oh, down at the tavern
where the prophets are singing
around their round table
until they are still.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall by Anne Sexton
Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall is a beautifully crafted poem written by Anne Sexton. This poem is a tribute to an old woman whose portrait hangs on the wall of a college tavern. The poet takes the portrait as a symbol of the woman's life and tries to unravel the mysteries of her past.
Summary
The poem begins with the poet describing the portrait of the old woman. She says that the portrait is painted in a style that is old-fashioned and that it is the only thing that is old in the college tavern. The poet then goes on to describe the woman in the portrait – her hair, her eyes, and her expression. The woman appears to be sad and the poet wonders what could have caused her sadness.
In the second stanza, the poet begins to speculate about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as a young girl, full of life and hope. She imagines her falling in love and getting married, but then something happens, and the woman's life takes a turn for the worse. The poet wonders if the woman lost her love or if she had a child who died.
In the third stanza, the poet continues to speculate about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as a middle-aged woman, still beautiful despite the hardships of life. She imagines the woman as a mother, taking care of her children and nurturing them. She wonders if the woman ever had any regrets in life or if she was content with her lot.
In the final stanza, the poet concludes her speculation about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as an old woman, sitting alone in her room, surrounded by memories of her past. The poet wonders if the woman ever had any friends or if she lived her life alone. She acknowledges that she will never know the answers to her questions and that the woman's secrets will remain with her forever.
Interpretation
Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall is a poem that explores the themes of aging, loneliness, and the mysteries of the past. The poem is a tribute to an old woman who has lived a long life and whose secrets are shrouded in mystery.
The poem is written in four stanzas, each one exploring a different aspect of the woman's life. In the first stanza, the poet describes the portrait of the old woman. The woman is described as sad, and the poet wonders what could have caused her sadness. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is an exploration of the woman's past and the possible reasons for her sadness.
In the second stanza, the poet begins to speculate about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as a young girl, full of life and hope. However, something happens, and the woman's life takes a turn for the worse. The poet wonders if the woman lost her love or if she had a child who died. This stanza is a reflection on the fragility of life and the fact that even the happiest of people can experience tragedy.
In the third stanza, the poet continues to speculate about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as a middle-aged woman, still beautiful despite the hardships of life. She imagines the woman as a mother, taking care of her children and nurturing them. This stanza is a tribute to the resilience of the human spirit and the fact that even in the face of adversity, people can find happiness and contentment.
In the final stanza, the poet concludes her speculation about the woman's past. She imagines the woman as an old woman, sitting alone in her room, surrounded by memories of her past. The poet wonders if the woman ever had any friends or if she lived her life alone. This stanza is a reflection on the fact that no matter how much we know about someone, there will always be mysteries and secrets that will remain with them forever.
Overall, Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of aging, loneliness, and the mysteries of the past. The poem is a tribute to an old woman who has lived a long life and whose secrets are shrouded in mystery. Anne Sexton's use of language is evocative and powerful, and she manages to convey a deep sense of empathy for the woman in the portrait.
Literary Criticism
Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall is a poem that has been subject to much literary criticism over the years. Critics have praised the poem for its evocative language and its exploration of the themes of aging and loneliness.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of aging. The poem is a reflection on the fact that as we get older, we accumulate more and more memories, both good and bad. These memories can weigh us down, and it can be difficult to let go of the past. The old woman in the portrait is a symbol of this idea. She is someone who has lived a long life and has accumulated many memories along the way.
Another key theme of the poem is the idea of loneliness. The woman in the portrait appears to be sad, and the poet wonders what could have caused her sadness. This is a reflection on the fact that as we get older, we often become more isolated from the people around us. We lose friends and family members, and we are left alone with our memories. The woman in the portrait is a symbol of this idea.
Finally, the poem is a reflection on the mysteries of the past. The woman in the portrait is a mystery to the poet, and she acknowledges that she will never know the answers to her questions. This is a reflection on the fact that no matter how much we know about someone, there will always be mysteries and secrets that will remain with them forever.
In conclusion, Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall is a beautifully crafted poem that explores the themes of aging, loneliness, and the mysteries of the past. Anne Sexton's use of language is evocative and powerful, and she manages to convey a deep sense of empathy for the woman in the portrait. The poem is a tribute to an old woman who has lived a long life and whose secrets are shrouded in mystery.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton
Anne Sexton, the American poet, is known for her confessional poetry that explores the themes of mental illness, motherhood, and sexuality. Her poem, "Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of aging and the inevitability of death. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing an old woman's portrait hanging on the wall of a college tavern. The woman in the portrait is described as "old, very old, / and dressed in a black shawl." The use of the color black suggests mourning and death, which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The woman's face is described as "wrinkled and wise," which suggests that she has lived a long life and has gained wisdom through her experiences.
The first stanza ends with the speaker asking the old woman in the portrait to "tell me your story." This line sets up the theme of storytelling, which is prevalent throughout the poem. The speaker wants to know the old woman's story, which suggests that she is interested in learning from her experiences.
In the second stanza, the speaker imagines the old woman's life. She imagines the woman as a young girl, "dancing in the fields," and as a young woman, "with a lover's arms around her." The use of the word "lover" suggests that the woman had a romantic relationship, which adds to her life experiences. The speaker also imagines the woman as a mother, "rocking a child to sleep," which suggests that she has experienced the joys and challenges of motherhood.
The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker imagines the old woman's life as she ages. She imagines the woman as a widow, "weeping in her shawl," which suggests that she has experienced loss and grief. The speaker also imagines the woman as she nears the end of her life, "sitting alone in her room," which suggests that she has become isolated and lonely.
The fourth stanza is where the poem reaches its climax. The speaker imagines the old woman's death. She imagines the woman "lying in her bed," surrounded by her loved ones. The use of the word "loved ones" suggests that the woman has made connections throughout her life, which adds to the richness of her experiences. The speaker also imagines the woman's last breath, which suggests that death is inevitable and that we must all face it.
The final stanza is where the poem ends on a hopeful note. The speaker imagines the old woman's legacy. She imagines the woman's portrait hanging on the wall of the college tavern, where it will be seen by generations to come. The use of the word "generations" suggests that the woman's legacy will live on long after she is gone. The speaker also imagines the woman's story being told, which suggests that her experiences will continue to inspire and teach others.
The themes of aging and death are prevalent throughout the poem. The use of the color black, the description of the woman's wrinkles, and the imagery of her death all suggest that death is a natural part of life. However, the poem also suggests that we can find hope in the legacy we leave behind. The woman's portrait and her story will continue to inspire and teach others, which suggests that our experiences can have a lasting impact on the world.
The language used in the poem is simple yet powerful. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "old," adds to the poem's rhythm and emphasizes the theme of aging. The use of imagery, such as the description of the woman's wrinkles and the use of the color black, adds to the poem's tone and emphasizes the theme of death. The use of metaphor, such as the woman's portrait being a legacy, adds to the poem's depth and emphasizes the theme of storytelling.
In conclusion, "Portrait Of An Old Woman On The College Tavern Wall" is a masterpiece of Anne Sexton that explores the themes of aging, death, and legacy. The poem's simple yet powerful language, its use of imagery and metaphor, and its emphasis on storytelling all contribute to its significance. The poem reminds us that death is a natural part of life, but that we can find hope in the legacy we leave behind. The old woman's portrait and her story will continue to inspire and teach others, which suggests that our experiences can have a lasting impact on the world.
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