'The Fury Of Sunsets' by Anne Sexton

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The Death Notebooks1974Somethingcold is in the air,an aura of iceand phlegm.All day I've builta lifetime and nowthe sun sinks toundo it.The horizon bleedsand sucks its thumb.The little red thumbgoes out of sight.And I wonder aboutthis lifetime with myself,this dream I'm living.I could eat the skylike an applebut I'd ratherask the first star:why am I here?why do I live in this house?who's responsible?eh?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Fury Of Sunsets: A Literary Criticism

Anne Sexton was a complex, enigmatic poet whose work often delved into the dark, unexplored corners of the human psyche. Her poem, The Fury Of Sunsets, is a haunting meditation on the inevitability of death, the transience of life, and the fleeting beauty of the natural world. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, symbols, and literary devices used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of Sexton's unique voice and perspective.

The Themes

At its core, The Fury Of Sunsets is an elegy, a mournful tribute to the passing of time and the eventual end of all things. The poem begins with an image of the sun setting over the ocean, a scene that is both beautiful and melancholy. The speaker notes that "the sun was gone and the sky was filled with stars," a classic symbol of the passage of time and the impermanence of life.

Throughout the poem, Sexton juxtaposes the fleeting beauty of nature with the harsh reality of death. She describes the "graceful waves" that "broke against the shore," but also notes that "the sea is never still." This sense of constant motion and change is a powerful reminder that nothing lasts forever. The speaker muses that "all that we see is but a shadow and a dream," echoing the themes of transience and impermanence that run throughout the poem.

Another key theme in The Fury Of Sunsets is the idea of memory and the role it plays in our lives. The speaker notes that "the memories are like stars that shine and twinkle in the night," suggesting that our memories are a source of light and comfort in times of darkness. However, she also acknowledges that memories can be painful, saying that "sometimes they burn like an ember and leave a scar."

Overall, The Fury Of Sunsets is a meditation on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. It is a haunting reminder that all things must pass, but that there is beauty to be found in the passing of time.

The Symbols

Throughout the poem, Sexton employs a number of powerful symbols to convey her message. One of the most striking is the image of the sun setting over the ocean. This symbolizes the passage of time and the inevitability of death. The fact that the sun disappears and is replaced by stars suggests that there is always something new to come, but also that we must accept the passing of what has come before.

Another important symbol in the poem is the sea. The sea represents the vastness and mystery of the natural world, but it also represents the constant motion and change that is a part of life. The fact that the sea is "never still" suggests that we must always be prepared for change and embrace the impermanence of life.

Finally, the stars themselves are powerful symbols in The Fury Of Sunsets. They represent memory and the passage of time, but they also suggest the possibility of hope and renewal. The fact that they "shine and twinkle in the night" suggests that even in times of darkness, there is always the possibility of light.

The Literary Devices

Sexton's use of literary devices in The Fury Of Sunsets is masterful, adding depth and complexity to the poem. One of the most striking devices she employs is repetition. The phrase "the sun was gone" appears multiple times throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of loss and inevitability that permeates the text.

Another powerful device used in the poem is imagery. Sexton's descriptions of the sea, the stars, and the sunset are vivid and evocative, creating a strong sense of atmosphere and mood. The use of simile and metaphor is also effective, particularly in the line "the memories are like stars that shine and twinkle in the night."

Finally, Sexton's use of language is both poetic and precise. Her choice of words and phrasing creates a sense of musicality and rhythm that is both beautiful and haunting. For example, the line "the sea is never still" has a lilting, almost musical quality that emphasizes the sense of constant motion and change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Fury Of Sunsets is a powerful and haunting work that explores the themes of death, transience, and memory. Sexton's use of symbols and literary devices creates a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both beautiful and melancholy. The poem is a testament to Sexton's unique voice and perspective, and a reminder of the power of poetry to capture the complexities of the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Fury of Sunsets: A Poetic Masterpiece by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, known for her confessional style of writing that delves deep into the human psyche. Her poem, The Fury of Sunsets, is a prime example of her poetic genius, exploring themes of mortality, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life.

The poem begins with a vivid description of a sunset, with the speaker marveling at the beauty of the sky as it turns from blue to orange to red. However, this beauty is short-lived, as the speaker notes that "the sun is gone" and "the world is dark." This sudden shift from light to darkness sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death.

The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality, as the speaker notes that "we are all going" and "we know it." This sense of impending doom is further emphasized by the image of "the black horse" that "rides through the sky" and "takes us with him." This horse is a symbol of death, and its presence in the poem serves as a reminder that our time on earth is limited.

Despite the bleakness of these images, the poem is not without hope. In the third stanza, the speaker notes that "we are alive in these times" and that "we can watch the whole world / spin out like an old gold coin." This image of the world spinning out like a coin suggests that even though life is fleeting, it is still valuable and worth cherishing.

The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the beauty of life and the inevitability of death. She notes that "we are alive in the time of the sunsets" and that "we can see the beauty in the dying of the light." This image of the dying light is a metaphor for the end of life, and the speaker suggests that even in death, there is beauty to be found.

The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of mortality and beauty together, as the speaker notes that "we are all going" but that "we can go with grace." This idea of going with grace suggests that even though death is inevitable, we can still face it with dignity and acceptance. The final lines of the poem, "we can give thanks / and kiss the earth goodbye," suggest that even in death, there is a sense of gratitude and appreciation for the beauty of life.

Overall, The Fury of Sunsets is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of mortality, beauty, and the fleeting nature of life. Through vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Anne Sexton reminds us that even though life is short, it is still valuable and worth cherishing. The poem is a testament to Sexton's poetic genius and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few short lines.

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