'Rowing' by Anne Sexton

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A story, a story!
(Let it go.Let it come.)
I was stamped out like a Plymouth fender
into this world.
First came the crib
with its glacial bars.
Then dolls
and the devotion to their plactic mouths.
Then there was school,
the little straight rows of chairs,
blotting my name over and over,
but undersea all the time,
a stranger whose elbows wouldn't work.
Then there was life
with its cruel houses
and people who seldom touched-
though touch is all-
but I grew,
like a pig in a trenchcoat I grew,
and then there were many strange apparitions,
the nagging rain, the sun turning into poison
and all of that, saws working through my heart,
but I grew, I grew,
and God was there like an island I had not rowed to,
still ignorant of Him, my arms, and my legs worked,
and I grew, I grew,
I wore rubies and bought tomatoes
and now, in my middle age,
about nineteen in the head I'd say,
I am rowing, I am rowing
though the oarlocks stick and are rusty
and the sea blinks and rolls
like a worried eyebal,
but I am rowing, I am rowing,
though the wind pushes me back
and I know that that island will not be perfect,
it will have the flaws of life,
the absurdities of the dinner table,
but there will be a door
and I will open it
and I will get rid of the rat insdie me,
the gnawing pestilential rat.
God will take it with his two hands
and embrace it.As the African says:
This is my tale which I have told,
if it be sweet, if it be not sweet,
take somewhere else and let some return to me.
This story ends with me still rowing.

Editor 1 Interpretation

An In-depth Analysis of Anne Sexton's "Rowing"

Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you asking yourself, "What did the poet intend to convey?" Anne Sexton's "Rowing" is one such work of art that leaves you pondering about its meaning. With its complex use of allegory and imagery, the poem presents a challenge to readers who seek to unravel its underlying message. In this analysis, we will examine the themes, structure, and imagery used in "Rowing" and the significance they bring to the poem.

Themes

At a glance, "Rowing" may seem like a poem about a woman rowing a boat. However, upon closer inspection, the poem presents a deeper meaning. The poem revolves around themes such as the struggle for control, the pursuit of freedom, and the inevitability of death.

The Struggle for Control

The persona in the poem is in a constant struggle for control. She wants to take charge of her life and move forward, but she is held back by external forces such as the wind, the water, and the oars. The wind represents the unpredictable nature of life, while the water represents the obstacles that one faces in life. The oars represent the persona's efforts to control her life.

The persona's struggle for control is evident in the lines, "I pull with the oars and / the metal hinges squeal / on the un-oiled rowlocks / but I go on rowing." Despite the difficulties, the persona refuses to give up and continues to row. This struggle for control is a universal theme that many people can relate to.

The Pursuit of Freedom

Another theme that is evident in "Rowing" is the pursuit of freedom. The persona wants to break free from the constraints that she faces in life. She wants to escape the societal norms and expectations that hold her back. The line, "I bend to my oars" shows the persona's determination to break free from these constraints and pursue her own dreams.

The Inevitability of Death

The theme of death is also evident in "Rowing." The persona is aware of her mortality and knows that death is inevitable. The line, "It is not a question of whether / I will die, but when" shows the persona's acceptance of her mortality. The poem reminds readers that life is short and that one should make the most of it.

Structure

The structure of "Rowing" is free verse. The poem consists of three stanzas of varying lengths. The lack of a regular rhyme scheme and meter gives the poem a natural and spontaneous feel.

Enjambment

The poem is characterized by extensive enjambment. The use of enjambment creates a flow to the poem, which reflects the persona's struggle against the natural forces that hold her back. It also creates a sense of urgency that reflects the persona's determination to break free from the constraints that she faces in life.

Repetition

Repetition is also used in the poem to emphasize key themes and ideas. The phrase "But I go on rowing" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the persona's determination to keep going despite the obstacles she faces. The repetition of the phrase "It is not a question of whether" emphasizes the inevitability of death.

Imagery

Imagery is used extensively in "Rowing" to create a vivid picture in the reader's mind. The poem is filled with sensory details that evoke the persona's struggle against the natural forces that hold her back.

Water and Wind

The water and wind are two major images used in the poem. The water represents the obstacles that one faces in life, while the wind represents the unpredictability of life. The line, "The water roils, black and fresh" creates an image of rough waters that the persona must navigate. The line, "The wind pummels me" creates an image of a strong wind that the persona must fight against.

Oars

The oars are also an important image in the poem. The oars represent the persona's efforts to control her life. The line, "I pull with the oars" creates an image of the persona using all her strength to row the boat.

Death

Death is also an important image in the poem. The line, "It is not a question of whether / I will die, but when" creates an image of the inevitability of death. The persona is aware of her mortality and knows that death is inevitable.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Rowing" is a complex poem that presents a challenge to readers who seek to unravel its underlying message. Through its themes, structure, and imagery, the poem presents a vivid picture of the persona's struggle against the natural forces that hold her back. The poem reminds readers that life is short and that one should make the most of it. It is a poem that leaves a lasting impression on the reader, and one that will be remembered for years to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Rowing: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Masterpiece

Anne Sexton's Poetry Rowing is a masterpiece of modern poetry that has captivated readers for decades. This poem is a perfect example of Sexton's unique style, which is characterized by her use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and a deep understanding of human emotions. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Poetry Rowing to understand why it is considered one of Sexton's greatest works.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry Rowing is the struggle of the human condition. Sexton uses the metaphor of rowing to represent the journey of life, with its ups and downs, its moments of calm and its moments of turbulence. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which represents a different stage in the journey of life.

The first section of the poem describes the beginning of the journey, where the speaker is rowing alone in a small boat. The imagery used in this section is dark and foreboding, with the speaker describing the water as "black and full of stars." This imagery creates a sense of isolation and loneliness, which is a common feeling at the beginning of any journey.

The second section of the poem represents the middle of the journey, where the speaker is joined by others in their boat. The imagery used in this section is more hopeful, with the speaker describing the water as "blue and alive." This imagery creates a sense of community and togetherness, which is a common feeling in the middle of any journey.

The third and final section of the poem represents the end of the journey, where the speaker is alone once again. The imagery used in this section is peaceful and serene, with the speaker describing the water as "green and quiet." This imagery creates a sense of acceptance and closure, which is a common feeling at the end of any journey.

Structure

The structure of Poetry Rowing is unique, with each section of the poem representing a different stage in the journey of life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different number of lines. The first stanza has six lines, the second stanza has eight lines, and the third stanza has six lines.

The use of different stanza lengths creates a sense of progression, with the poem building towards its climax in the middle section. The middle section is also the longest section of the poem, which emphasizes its importance in the overall structure.

Literary Devices

Sexton's use of literary devices in Poetry Rowing is masterful, with each device contributing to the overall meaning of the poem. Some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem include:

Metaphor: The use of rowing as a metaphor for the journey of life is the central metaphor of the poem. This metaphor is used throughout the poem to create a sense of continuity and to emphasize the different stages of the journey.

Imagery: The use of vivid imagery is one of Sexton's greatest strengths as a poet. In Poetry Rowing, she uses imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and emotion. The imagery in the first section is dark and foreboding, while the imagery in the second section is more hopeful and alive. The imagery in the third section is peaceful and serene, which creates a sense of closure.

Repetition: The repetition of certain phrases and words throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and continuity. For example, the phrase "I rowed" is repeated throughout the poem, which emphasizes the central metaphor of rowing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry Rowing is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the struggle of the human condition through the metaphor of rowing. Sexton's use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and literary devices creates a sense of atmosphere and emotion that is both powerful and moving. The structure of the poem, with its three sections representing different stages of the journey of life, creates a sense of progression and continuity that is both satisfying and meaningful. Overall, Poetry Rowing is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her deep understanding of the human experience.

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