'The Fury Of God's Good-bye' by Anne Sexton

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One day He
tipped His top hat
and walked
out of the room,
ending the arguement.
He stomped off
saying:
I don't give guarentees.
I was left
quite alone
using up the darkenss.
I rolled up
my sweater,
up into a ball,
and took itto bed with me,
a kind of stand-in
for God,
what washerwomanwho walks out
when you're clean
but not ironed.
When I woke up
the sweater
had turned to
bricks of gold.
I'd won the world
but like a
forsaken explorer,
I'd lost
my map.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Fury of God's Good-bye: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

What happens when a poet grapples with the overwhelming presence of God in their life? How do they reconcile the pain and suffering in the world with the idea of a loving deity? These are the questions that Anne Sexton explores in her poem, "The Fury of God's Good-bye." Published in 1974, this poem is a haunting exploration of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes and motifs of the poem, as well as analyze the language and imagery Sexton uses to convey her message.

The Fury of God's Good-bye: An Overview

Before we dive into the details of the poem, let's first provide a brief overview. "The Fury of God's Good-bye" is a five-stanza poem, each stanza containing four lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. The language used is stark and powerful, with images of violence and destruction juxtaposed with moments of tenderness and vulnerability. Throughout the poem, Sexton grapples with the idea of a vengeful God who punishes his children for their sins, as well as the question of whether such a God can be considered truly loving.

Themes and Motifs

One of the central themes of "The Fury of God's Good-bye" is the idea of divine punishment. Sexton portrays God as a vengeful deity who punishes his children for their sins, often in violent and destructive ways. In the first stanza, she writes, "He opens the door./The light spills out like punishment." Here, the act of God opening the door is likened to an act of violence, with the light symbolizing punishment. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, in which God's presence is often associated with destruction and violence.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Sexton writes, "I look for the words/that are killing me/and cannot find them." This line speaks to the idea that sometimes we struggle to find meaning in our lives, even in the face of overwhelming pain and suffering. The speaker is searching for the words that will help her make sense of the world, but they elude her.

The motif of light and darkness is also prevalent in the poem. The light that spills out of God's door is associated with punishment and destruction, while darkness is often associated with tenderness and vulnerability. In the second stanza, Sexton writes, "It is dark in here,/in the well of the stairs,/where I wait for him." Here, the darkness is comforting and protective, a contrast to the punishing light of God's presence.

Language and Imagery

One of the things that makes "The Fury of God's Good-bye" such a powerful poem is the language and imagery that Sexton uses to convey her message. The language is stark and spare, with images of violence and destruction juxtaposed with moments of tenderness and vulnerability. In the third stanza, Sexton writes, "He comes down the stairs/with a ring of keys/and a suicide's face." Here, the image of God as a suicide is jarring and unexpected, highlighting the speaker's sense of despair and hopelessness.

The imagery in the poem is also striking. In the fourth stanza, Sexton writes, "He touches my cheek/like a doctor, like a mother,/and his hand is cold as a tombstone." Here, the image of God as both a doctor and a mother is powerful, suggesting that even though he is a punishing deity, there is still some tenderness and compassion in his nature. The image of his hand as cold as a tombstone is also powerful, suggesting that his touch brings death and finality.

Interpretation

So what does "The Fury of God's Good-bye" mean? At its core, this poem is a meditation on the nature of faith and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Sexton grapples with the idea of a punishing God, one who inflicts pain and suffering on his children as a form of divine retribution. At the same time, she acknowledges the moments of tenderness and compassion that exist in the divine, suggesting that even though God may be harsh and punishing, there is still some measure of love and compassion in his nature.

Ultimately, "The Fury of God's Good-bye" is a poem about the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often violent and cruel. The speaker searches for words that will help her make sense of the pain and suffering around her, but they elude her. In the end, all she is left with is the image of a vengeful God, one who inflicts punishment and destruction on his children. And yet, there is still a glimmer of hope in the darkness, a sense that even in the face of overwhelming pain and suffering, there is still some measure of tenderness and compassion in the world.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Fury of God's Good-bye" is a haunting and powerful poem that explores the nature of faith, doubt, and the search for meaning in a seemingly meaningless world. Through her stark language and powerful imagery, Sexton grapples with the idea of a punishing God, one who inflicts pain and suffering on his children as a form of divine retribution. At the same time, she acknowledges the moments of tenderness and compassion that exist in the divine, suggesting that even though God may be harsh and punishing, there is still some measure of love and compassion in his nature. Ultimately, this is a poem about the struggle to find meaning in a world that is often violent and cruel, and the search for hope and tenderness in the darkness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Fury of God's Goodbye: A Poetic Masterpiece by Anne Sexton

Anne Sexton is a renowned American poet who is known for her confessional style of writing. Her poems are often autobiographical and deal with themes of mental illness, death, and sexuality. One of her most famous poems is "The Fury of God's Goodbye," which was published in her collection "The Awful Rowing Toward God" in 1975. This poem is a powerful and emotional exploration of the human experience of loss and grief, and it is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet.

The poem begins with a description of a storm, which serves as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional turmoil. The storm is described as "a black umbrella blown inside out" and "a tree that has been struck by lightning." These images convey a sense of chaos and destruction, which reflects the speaker's inner turmoil. The storm is also described as "a woman who has been raped," which is a powerful and disturbing image that highlights the violence and trauma of the speaker's experience.

The next stanza of the poem introduces the central metaphor of the poem, which is the idea of God's goodbye. The speaker describes God as "a lover who has left," and she compares her grief to the grief of a lover who has been abandoned. This metaphor is powerful because it suggests that the speaker's relationship with God is deeply personal and emotional, and that her loss is as profound as the loss of a romantic partner.

The speaker then goes on to describe the physical and emotional effects of her grief. She describes herself as "a woman with a dead child," which is a heartbreaking image that conveys the depth of her pain. She also describes her grief as a physical sensation, saying that it is "a stone in my throat" and "a knife in my heart." These images are visceral and powerful, and they convey the intensity of the speaker's emotions.

The next stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it describes the speaker's anger and frustration with God. She says that she wants to "smash his face" and "rip his heart out," which are violent and disturbing images. However, they also convey the depth of the speaker's anger and the intensity of her emotions. The speaker is not afraid to express her anger and frustration with God, and this is a testament to her honesty and authenticity as a poet.

The final stanza of the poem is a powerful and emotional conclusion to the speaker's journey of grief and loss. She says that she is "a woman who has been raped by God," which is a shocking and disturbing image. However, it also conveys the sense of violation and trauma that the speaker has experienced. She then goes on to say that she is "a woman who has been loved by God," which is a beautiful and hopeful image. This final line suggests that despite her pain and grief, the speaker still believes in the power of love and the possibility of healing.

In conclusion, "The Fury of God's Goodbye" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the human experience of loss and grief. Anne Sexton's use of metaphor and imagery is masterful, and she is not afraid to express the depth of her emotions. This poem is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexity of the human experience. It is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has experienced loss or grief, and it is a testament to the power of poetry to express the deepest and most profound emotions.

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