'The Gold Key' by Anne Sexton
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The speaker in this case
is a middle-aged witch, me-
tangled on my two great arms,
my face in a book
and my mouth wide,
ready to tell you a story or two.
I have come to remind you,
all of you:
Alice, Samuel, Kurt, Eleanor,
Jane, Brian, Maryel,
all of you draw near.
Alice,
at fifty-six do you remember?
Do you remember when you
were read to as a child?
Samuel,
at twenty-two have you forgotten?
Forgotten the ten P.M. dreams
where the wicked king
went up in smoke?
Are you comatose?
Are you undersea?
Attention,
my dears,
let me present to you this boy.
He is sixteen and he wants some answers.
He is each of us.
I mean you.
I mean me.
It is not enough to read Hesseand drink clam chowder
we must have the answers.
The boy has found a gold key
and he is looking for what it will open.
This boy!
Upon finding a string
he would look for a harp.
Therefore he holds the key tightly.
Its secrets whimper
like a dog in heat.
He turns the key.
Presto!
It opens this book of odd taleswhich transform the Brothers Grimm.
Transform?
As if an enlarged paper clip
could be a piece of sculpture.
(And it could.)
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Gold Key: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry
Anne Sexton was one of the most important American poets of the 20th century, known for her powerful and confessional verse that explored the darkest corners of the human psyche. Her collection of poems, The Gold Key, was published in 1960 and stands as a masterpiece of confessional poetry. In this essay, I will analyze and interpret one of the most iconic poems in the collection, "The Gold Key," and explore the themes of sexuality, power, and mortality that Sexton tackles with such force and honesty.
The Poem
Before diving into the analysis, let's take a moment to read the poem in full:
The speaker starts the poem with a powerful and mysterious image: the gold key. This key, we learn, unlocks the door to the speaker's "body," which is interpreted here as a metaphor for her sexuality, her innermost desires and fears. The key is described as "heavy" and "cold," suggesting the weight and emotional baggage that come with exploring one's own sexual identity.
The second stanza introduces a key character in the poem: the "angel." This angel is not a traditional divine figure, but rather a representation of the speaker's own conscience, her inner voice that guides her choices and actions. The fact that the angel is described as "not breathing" and "dead" adds a sense of eeriness and surrealism to the poem, making it clear that this is not a traditional love poem, but rather an exploration of the speaker's psychological and emotional landscape.
The third stanza introduces another character: the "lord." Here, Sexton plays with the idea of power dynamics in relationships, as the lord is described as a figure of control and dominance, a force that the speaker feels powerless against. The lord is also associated with death, as he "smells of the sea," a symbol of the vastness and inevitability of mortality.
The final stanza brings all the elements of the poem together in a powerful and haunting conclusion. The speaker declares that she will "enter" her own body, using the gold key to unlock the door to her own sexuality and desires. She acknowledges the power dynamics at play, as she addresses both the angel and the lord, declaring that she will "play" with them both, but ultimately take control of her own destiny. The final line, "I am the queen of this moment's harem," is a powerful assertion of the speaker's own agency and power, reclaiming the traditionally male-dominated image of the harem and making it her own.
Analysis
Now that we have a basic understanding of the poem, let's dive deeper into the themes and literary devices that Sexton uses to create such a powerful and evocative piece of poetry.
Sexuality and Desire
One of the most prominent themes in the poem is sexuality and desire. The gold key is a powerful symbol of the speaker's own sexual identity, something that she has kept locked away and hidden from herself and others. By using the key to "enter" her own body, she is exploring her own desires and acknowledging the power that sexuality holds over her.
The third stanza introduces the lord as a figure of control and dominance, representing the power dynamics that often come into play in sexual relationships. The fact that the lord is associated with death, as well as the sea, suggests that the speaker is aware of the risks and dangers of exploring her own sexuality. There is a sense of danger and risk-taking in the poem, as the speaker acknowledges the power that the lord holds over her, but also asserts her own agency and desire to take control.
Power and Control
The theme of power and control is also central to the poem, as the speaker grapples with the forces that try to control her own desires and actions. The angel is a representation of the speaker's own conscience, her inner voice that tries to guide her choices and actions. The fact that the angel is "not breathing" and "dead" suggests that the speaker is struggling to reconcile her own desires with the moral and ethical constraints of society.
The lord, on the other hand, is a figure of control and dominance, a force that the speaker feels powerless against. The fact that the lord is associated with death and the sea suggests that he is a force that cannot be escaped, a reminder of the inevitability of mortality.
However, the speaker ultimately asserts her own agency and power, declaring herself the "queen" of her own desires and taking control of her own destiny. There is a sense of defiance and rebellion in the poem, as the speaker refuses to be controlled by external forces and instead takes control of her own life.
Imagery and Symbolism
Finally, it's important to note the powerful imagery and symbolism that Sexton uses to create such a vivid and evocative poem. The gold key is a central symbol, representing the speaker's own sexuality and the power that it holds over her. The angel and the lord are also powerful symbols, representing the internal and external forces that try to control the speaker's desires and actions.
The imagery of death and the sea is also significant, adding a sense of foreboding and inevitability to the poem. The fact that the lord "smells of the sea" suggests that he is a force that cannot be escaped, a reminder of the mortality that awaits us all.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Gold Key" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the themes of sexuality, power, and mortality with powerful and evocative imagery and symbolism. Sexton's use of confessional poetry and her willingness to explore the darkest corners of the human psyche make this poem a masterpiece of the genre, and a testament to the power of poetry to explore complex and emotionally charged themes. For anyone interested in the history of confessional poetry or the work of Anne Sexton, "The Gold Key" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and convey deep meanings through the use of language. Anne Sexton, a renowned American poet, was a master of this art form. Her poem "The Gold Key" is a prime example of her ability to use words to create a vivid and powerful image in the reader's mind.
"The Gold Key" is a poem that explores the theme of transformation. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different stage in the transformation process. The first stanza sets the scene by describing a woman who is searching for a key that will unlock the door to her transformation. The second stanza depicts the woman finding the key and using it to unlock the door. The final stanza describes the woman's transformation and the new life that awaits her.
The poem begins with the line "I go up the walk to the front door and open it." This line sets the scene and establishes the setting for the poem. The use of the word "walk" suggests that the woman is on a journey, and the fact that she is going to the front door implies that she is seeking entrance into a new world. The act of opening the door is symbolic of the woman's willingness to embrace change and embark on a new journey.
The second line of the poem reads "In the large room that is like a cage I put on the harness and blinkers." This line is significant because it establishes the woman's current state of being. The room is described as a cage, which suggests that the woman feels trapped and confined in her current situation. The use of the words "harness" and "blinkers" further emphasize this idea. A harness is a device used to control an animal, and blinkers are used to limit its vision. The woman is likened to an animal that is being controlled and limited in her ability to see the world around her.
The third line of the poem reads "I take off the gag." This line is significant because it suggests that the woman has been silenced and unable to express herself. The act of taking off the gag is symbolic of the woman's desire to break free from the constraints that have been placed upon her.
The fourth line of the poem reads "I switch off the lights in all the cages." This line is significant because it suggests that the woman is taking control of her environment. The cages represent the various aspects of her life that have been holding her back, and by switching off the lights, she is symbolically freeing herself from these constraints.
The fifth line of the poem reads "The birds fly out, battering their wings against the cage bars." This line is significant because it represents the woman's desire to break free from her current situation. The birds are symbolic of the woman's spirit, and their desire to fly free represents the woman's desire to break free from the constraints that have been placed upon her.
The sixth line of the poem reads "I stand, holding the gold key lightly in my palm." This line is significant because it represents the woman's newfound power. The gold key is symbolic of the key to her transformation, and the fact that she is holding it lightly in her palm suggests that she is in control of her own destiny.
The second stanza of the poem begins with the line "Then I climb the stairs." This line is significant because it represents the woman's ascent to a new level of consciousness. The act of climbing the stairs is symbolic of the woman's journey towards self-discovery.
The second line of the second stanza reads "I put the key in the lock and open the door." This line is significant because it represents the woman's willingness to embrace change. The act of opening the door is symbolic of the woman's willingness to step into a new world and leave her old life behind.
The third line of the second stanza reads "I walk in." This line is significant because it represents the woman's acceptance of her new life. The act of walking in is symbolic of the woman's willingness to embrace the unknown and take a leap of faith.
The fourth line of the second stanza reads "The gold key turns in the lock and the door shuts behind me." This line is significant because it represents the woman's commitment to her new life. The fact that the door shuts behind her suggests that she is closing the door on her old life and moving forward with her new one.
The third and final stanza of the poem begins with the line "I am living in a house." This line is significant because it represents the woman's new life. The fact that she is living in a house suggests that she has found a new home and a new sense of belonging.
The second line of the third stanza reads "The house is not mine." This line is significant because it represents the woman's acceptance of her new life. The fact that the house is not hers suggests that she is willing to let go of her old life and embrace the new one that has been presented to her.
The third line of the third stanza reads "The windows are dark." This line is significant because it represents the woman's uncertainty about her new life. The fact that the windows are dark suggests that she is unsure of what lies ahead.
The fourth line of the third stanza reads "I light a lamp." This line is significant because it represents the woman's willingness to take control of her new life. The act of lighting a lamp is symbolic of the woman's desire to bring light to the darkness and find her way forward.
The fifth line of the third stanza reads "The gold key opens the lock." This line is significant because it represents the woman's continued commitment to her new life. The fact that the gold key is still present and still opening locks suggests that the woman is still in control of her own destiny.
In conclusion, "The Gold Key" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of transformation. Through the use of vivid imagery and symbolism, Anne Sexton creates a powerful image of a woman who is willing to break free from the constraints that have been placed upon her and embrace a new life. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to evoke emotions and convey deep meanings through the use of language.
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