'For The Year Of The Insane' by Anne Sexton


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a prayer



O Mary, fragile mother,

hear me, hear me now

although I do not know your words.

The black rosary with its silver Christ

lies unblessed in my hand

for I am the unbeliever.

Each bead is round and hard between my fingers,

a small black angel.

O Mary, permit me this grace,

this crossing over,

although I am ugly,

submerged in my own past

and my own madness.

Although there are chairs

I lie on the floor.

Only my hands are alive,

touching beads.

Word for word, I stumble.

A beginner, I feel your mouth touch mine.



I count beads as waves,

hammering in upon me.

I am ill at their numbers,

sick, sick in the summer heat

and the window above me

is my only listener, my awkward being.

She is a large taker, a soother.

The giver of breath

she murmurs,

exhaling her wide lung like an enormous fish.



Closer and closer

comes the hour of my death

as I rearrange my face, grow back,

grow undeveloped and straight-haired.

All this is death.

In the mind there is a thin alley called death

and I move through it as

through water.

My body is useless.

It lies, curled like a dog on the carpet.

It has given up.

There are no words here except the half-learned,

the Hail Mary and the full of grace.

Now I have entered the year without words.

I note the queer entrance and the exact voltage.

Without words they exist.

Without words on my touch bread

and be handed bread

and make no sound.



O Mary, tender physician,

come with powders and herbs

for I am in the center.

It is very small and the air is gray

as in a steam house.

I am handed wine as a child is handed milk.

It is presented in a delicate glass

with a round bowl and a thin lip.

The wine itself is pitch-colored, musty and secret.

The glass rises in its own toward my mouth

and I notice this and understand this

only because it has happened.



I have this fear of coughing

but I do not speak,

a fear of rain, a fear of the horseman

who comes riding into my mouth.

The glass tilts in on its own

and I amon fire.

I see two thin streaks burn down my chin.

I see myself as one would see another.

I have been cut int two.



O Mary, open your eyelids.

I am in the domain of silence,

the kingdom of the crazy and the sleeper.

There is blood here.

and I haven't eaten it.

O mother of the womb,

did I come for blood alone?

O little mother,

I am in my own mind.

I am locked in the wrong house.

Editor 1 Interpretation

For The Year Of The Insane: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry

Anne Sexton's poem, For The Year Of The Insane, is a masterpiece of confessional poetry that delves deep into the chaotic depths of the human psyche. With its raw emotion, stunning imagery, and relentless honesty, this poem stands as a striking testament to Sexton's immense talent as a poet.

Context and background

Before diving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Sexton was known for her deeply personal and confessional style of writing, which often explored themes of mental illness, trauma, and sexuality. For The Year Of The Insane was written in the late 1960s, a time when Sexton herself was struggling with mental illness, including depression and bipolar disorder.

It is worth noting that Sexton was not alone in her struggles during this time period. The 1960s were marked by a growing awareness of the importance of mental health, as well as a shift towards more open and honest discussions of mental illness. Sexton's work, particularly For The Year Of The Insane, can be seen as a part of this larger cultural conversation, as she fearlessly confronts the taboo subjects of madness and despair.

Analysis

At its core, For The Year Of The Insane is a meditation on the nature of madness and the toll that it takes on the human psyche. The poem is divided into three sections, each of which explores a different aspect of this theme.

Section 1: Madness as a physical experience

The first section of the poem focuses on the physical sensations of madness, as Sexton describes the "twitching" and "jerking" that she experiences during a manic episode. The language here is visceral and intense, as she describes her body as a "machine" that is "out of control."

What is particularly striking about this section is the way in which Sexton portrays madness as a physical experience. Rather than simply describing her thoughts and emotions, she emphasizes the bodily sensations that accompany her mental illness. This creates a powerful sense of immediacy and urgency, as the reader is pulled into the physical experience of madness alongside the speaker.

Section 2: The isolation of madness

The second section of the poem shifts focus to the emotional toll of madness. Here, Sexton describes the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies mental illness, as she feels "cut off" from the rest of the world.

The language here is haunting and evocative, as Sexton describes herself as a "ghost" that is "lost in a crowd." This sense of disconnection is further emphasized by the repeated use of the word "alone," which echoes throughout the stanza like a haunting refrain.

What is striking about this section is the way in which Sexton captures the emotional complexity of madness. While it is often portrayed as a purely negative experience, she acknowledges the sense of "strangeness" and "strangely calm" that can also accompany it. This creates a nuanced and multifaceted portrait of mental illness, one that acknowledges both its difficulties and its unique qualities.

Section 3: The hope of recovery

The final section of the poem offers a glimmer of hope amidst the darkness of madness. Here, Sexton describes the possibility of recovery, as she imagines a future in which she will "be saved" and "come back to life."

The language here is strikingly optimistic, as Sexton describes herself as a "phoenix" rising from the ashes of her illness. This sense of renewal is further emphasized by the vivid imagery of the final lines, in which she describes herself as a "bright scream" that will "shatter the night."

What is powerful about this section is the way in which Sexton offers a sense of hope and resilience in the face of mental illness. Rather than simply portraying madness as a purely negative experience, she acknowledges the possibility of recovery and growth. This creates a sense of empowerment for both the speaker and the reader, as they are reminded of the resilience of the human spirit.

Interpretation

At its core, For The Year Of The Insane is a poem about the human experience of madness. Through its stunning imagery and raw emotion, Sexton offers a powerful exploration of the physical, emotional, and spiritual toll of mental illness.

But the poem is also about more than just madness. It is about the power of language to heal and transform, as Sexton fearlessly confronts the taboo subjects of madness and despair. It is about the importance of honesty and vulnerability, as she lays bare her deepest fears and struggles. And it is about the possibility of redemption, as she offers a glimmer of hope in the face of darkness.

As a work of confessional poetry, For The Year Of The Insane is both intensely personal and deeply universal. It speaks to the human experience of pain and suffering, and offers a powerful reminder of the resilience of the human spirit. Through its stunning imagery, powerful language, and relentless honesty, this poem stands as a masterpiece of modern literature and a testament to Sexton's immense talent as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

For The Year Of The Insane: A Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Classic Poem

Anne Sexton's poem "For The Year Of The Insane" is a haunting and powerful piece of literature that explores the depths of mental illness and the struggles that come with it. Written in 1965, the poem is a reflection of Sexton's own experiences with mental illness and her time spent in psychiatric hospitals. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes and imagery of the poem, as well as the historical context in which it was written.

The poem begins with the line "The year of the insane" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of the word "insane" is deliberate and jarring, as it is a term that has been used to stigmatize and marginalize those with mental illness. Sexton is reclaiming the word and using it to describe her own experiences, as well as the experiences of others who have been labeled as "insane."

Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid and often disturbing imagery to convey the pain and isolation that comes with mental illness. In the second stanza, she writes "The night is only a sort of carbon paper, blueblack, with the much-poked periods of stars letting in the light." This image of the night sky as carbon paper is a powerful one, as it suggests that the darkness is all-encompassing and suffocating. The stars, which are usually seen as symbols of hope and beauty, are reduced to mere "poked periods" that offer little relief.

Sexton also uses animal imagery throughout the poem to convey the sense of being trapped and powerless. In the third stanza, she writes "The owl is the key to the poem" which suggests that the owl is a symbol of wisdom and understanding. However, in the next line, she writes "The cat is man's other eye" which suggests that the cat is a symbol of surveillance and control. The use of these two animals together creates a sense of tension and unease, as if the speaker is being watched and judged by some unseen force.

One of the most striking images in the poem comes in the fourth stanza, where Sexton writes "The moon is a face in water." This image is both beautiful and unsettling, as it suggests that the speaker's sense of self is constantly shifting and unstable. The moon, which is usually seen as a symbol of stability and constancy, is reduced to a mere reflection in water. This image suggests that the speaker's sense of self is constantly being distorted and manipulated by outside forces.

Throughout the poem, Sexton also explores the theme of isolation and the difficulty of connecting with others. In the fifth stanza, she writes "I am alone with the day, the sunless day which comes every day." This line suggests that the speaker is trapped in a cycle of loneliness and despair, with no hope of escape. The repetition of the phrase "every day" emphasizes the sense of monotony and hopelessness that comes with mental illness.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as Sexton writes "I am the insane one who has been sane enough to cling to my insanity." This line suggests that the speaker has found a way to cope with her mental illness by embracing it and accepting it as a part of herself. The use of the word "cling" suggests that this acceptance is not easy, but rather a constant struggle. However, by embracing her insanity, the speaker has found a sense of strength and resilience that allows her to survive in a world that often seems hostile and unforgiving.

In terms of historical context, it is important to note that "For The Year Of The Insane" was written during a time when mental illness was still heavily stigmatized and misunderstood. The 1960s saw a rise in the use of psychiatric hospitals and the use of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) as a treatment for mental illness. Sexton herself underwent ECT and spent time in psychiatric hospitals, which undoubtedly influenced her writing.

Overall, "For The Year Of The Insane" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the depths of mental illness and the struggles that come with it. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Sexton conveys the pain and isolation that comes with mental illness, as well as the strength and resilience that can be found in accepting and embracing one's own insanity.

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