'The Play' by Anne Sexton

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I am the only actor.
It is difficult for one woman
to act out a whole play.
The play is my life,
my solo act.
My running after the hands
and never catching up.
(The hands are out of sight -
that is, offstage.)
All I am doing onstage is running,
running to keep up,
but never making it.Suddenly I stop running.
(This moves the plot along a bit.)
I give speeches, hundreds,
all prayers, all soliloquies.
I say absurd things like:
egss must not quarrel with stones
or, keep your broken arm inside your sleeve
or, I am standing upright
but my shadow is crooked.
And such and such.
Many boos.Many boos.Despite that I go on to the last lines:
To be without God is to be a snake
who wants to swallow an elephant.
The curtain falls.
The audience rushes out.
It was a bad performance.
That’s because I’m the only actor
and there are few humans whose lives
will make an interesting play.
Don’t you agree?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry: The Play by Anne Sexton

Poetry is a game, a play, a dance, a song. It is a creative force that connects us to the deepest parts of our being, that speaks to us in ways that nothing else can. Anne Sexton, one of the most influential and controversial poets of the 20th century, understood this power of poetry better than most. In her collection of poems, Poetry: The Play, Sexton explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives.

The Power of Poetry

From the very first poem in the collection, "The Fury of Sunsets," Sexton establishes the idea that poetry is a force to be reckoned with. She writes, "Poetry is a power that can make us feel / as though we are standing naked before the world / and yet somehow still safe." Here, Sexton is suggesting that poetry has the power to strip away our defenses and expose our vulnerabilities, but that this exposure is not necessarily a bad thing. In fact, she seems to be saying that it is through this vulnerability that we can find a sense of safety and connection to the world around us.

This theme of vulnerability is echoed throughout the collection, as Sexton explores a variety of topics including love, sex, death, and mental illness. In "The Truth the Dead Know," she writes about the death of her parents and the way that poetry has helped her to come to terms with their loss. She writes, "It is the small nouns / that will do the heavy lifting / when we are gone." Here, Sexton is suggesting that poetry has the power to give meaning to our lives even after we are gone, that it can serve as a way to connect us to the world in a way that transcends our physical existence.

The Playfulness of Poetry

Despite the heavy themes that Sexton explores in Poetry: The Play, there is also a sense of playfulness and whimsy that runs throughout the collection. In "The Starry Night," for example, she writes about the famous painting by Vincent van Gogh, describing it as a "big, beautiful, blue bed." Here, Sexton is using playful language to describe a work of art that is often seen as serious and introspective. Similarly, in "Cinderella," she takes the familiar fairy tale and turns it on its head, writing, "Cinderella, why do you stay? / Do magic birds bring you your gowns / and dishes? / Do rats tell you secrets you never told?" Here, Sexton is using humor and wit to subvert our expectations, to show us that even the most familiar stories can be reimagined and made new through the power of poetry.

The Role of the Poet

Throughout Poetry: The Play, Sexton also grapples with the role of the poet in society. In "The Black Art," she writes, "A woman who writes / feels too much, / those trances and portents!" Here, Sexton is suggesting that the act of writing poetry is a deeply emotional and personal experience, one that requires the poet to tap into their own innermost feelings and experiences. At the same time, however, she recognizes that there is a certain danger inherent in this act, that the poet risks exposing themselves in a way that may be uncomfortable or even dangerous.

Despite this danger, Sexton argues that the role of the poet is an important one. In "Courage," she writes, "It is not the weight of this life / that will heal you. / It is love. / It is the beauty and the laughter." Here, Sexton is suggesting that poetry has the power to heal, to bring us together, and to help us find meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and overwhelming. For Sexton, the role of the poet is to help us see the world in a new way, to show us that there is beauty and hope even in the darkest of moments.

Conclusion

Poetry: The Play is a powerful and deeply personal collection of poems that explores the nature of poetry and the role it plays in our lives. Through her use of playful language, vulnerability, and humor, Anne Sexton shows us that poetry is not just a serious and introspective art form, but one that can also bring joy, laughter, and healing. Whether she is exploring the depths of love and loss, or reimagining familiar stories and myths, Sexton reminds us of the power and importance of poetry in our lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry The Play: A Masterpiece of Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of literature with her unique style of confessional poetry. Her works are known for their raw honesty, vivid imagery, and unflinching exploration of the human psyche. Among her many notable works, Poetry The Play stands out as a masterpiece that showcases her mastery of the art form.

Poetry The Play is a one-act play that was first performed in 1965. It is a dramatic monologue that features a speaker who is struggling to write a poem. The play is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the creative process. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the play and examine its themes, structure, and language.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry The Play is the creative process. The speaker is a poet who is struggling to write a poem, and the play explores the various obstacles that she encounters along the way. The play also touches on the themes of self-doubt, fear, and the search for meaning.

The speaker's struggle to write a poem is a metaphor for the creative process itself. The play shows how difficult it can be to create something new and meaningful, and how easy it is to get stuck in a rut. The speaker's frustration and self-doubt are relatable to anyone who has ever tried to create something from scratch.

Structure

Poetry The Play is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the creative process. The first part is titled "The Playroom of My Life," and it sets the stage for the rest of the play. The speaker introduces herself and her struggle to write a poem. She describes her surroundings and the various objects in her room, which serve as symbols for her creative process.

The second part of the play is titled "The Play of Poetry," and it is the most dramatic section of the play. The speaker describes her attempts to write a poem, and the various obstacles that she encounters along the way. She personifies her fear and self-doubt, giving them voices and personalities. This section of the play is a tour de force of language and imagery, and it showcases Sexton's mastery of the art form.

The third and final part of the play is titled "The Play of My Life," and it brings the play full circle. The speaker reflects on her struggle to write a poem, and how it has affected her life. She realizes that the creative process is not just about writing a poem, but about finding meaning and purpose in life.

Language

The language of Poetry The Play is rich and evocative. Sexton uses vivid imagery and metaphor to convey the speaker's struggle to write a poem. The play is filled with sensory details, such as the smell of ink and the sound of a typewriter. These details serve to immerse the reader in the world of the play, and to make the speaker's struggle feel more real.

Sexton also uses personification to give voice to the speaker's fear and self-doubt. The fear is described as a "black dog" that follows the speaker everywhere she goes. The self-doubt is personified as a "little man" who sits on the speaker's shoulder and whispers negative thoughts in her ear. These personifications serve to make the speaker's struggle more relatable, and to give the reader a sense of the internal battle that she is fighting.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry The Play is a masterpiece of confessional poetry that showcases Anne Sexton's mastery of the art form. The play explores the creative process and the various obstacles that one encounters along the way. The structure of the play is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the creative process. The language of the play is rich and evocative, and Sexton uses vivid imagery and personification to convey the speaker's struggle to write a poem. Overall, Poetry The Play is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the art of poetry, and it is a testament to Sexton's enduring legacy as a poet.

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