'Housewife' by Anne Sexton


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Some women marry houses.
It's another kind of skin; it has a heart,
a mouth, a liver and bowel movements.
The walls are permanent and pink.
See how she sits on her knees all day,
faithfully washing herself down.
Men enter by force, drawn back like Jonah
into their fleshy mothers.
A woman is her mother.
That's the main thing.


Submitted by Emily

Editor 1 Interpretation

Housewife by Anne Sexton: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation

As a literary work, Housewife by Anne Sexton is a remarkable poem that tells the story of a woman who is trapped in the mundane routine of housekeeping and child-rearing. The poem explores the psychological and emotional impact of this monotonous existence on the narrator, who yearns for a more fulfilling life beyond the confines of her domestic duties. The poem's themes of gender roles, social expectations, and the search for identity are all relevant to contemporary society, making Housewife a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.

The Poem's Structure and Form

Housewife is a free verse poem that consists of three stanzas, each with a different number of lines. The first stanza has six lines, the second has five, and the third has ten. This uneven structure gives the poem a sense of unpredictability and instability, mirroring the narrator's own feelings of restlessness and dissatisfaction with her life.

The poem's form is also significant in that it lacks any discernible rhyme scheme, further emphasizing the narrator's sense of fragmentation and disconnection from the world around her.

The Poem's Tone and Imagery

The tone of Housewife is one of resignation and despair, as the narrator laments her lack of agency and excitement in life. The imagery used throughout the poem is often domestic and domesticated, further emphasizing the narrator's sense of entrapment. For example, the opening lines of the poem describe the narrator as a "cleaning woman" who is "scrubbing the kitchen floor" (1-2), while later in the poem she compares herself to a "tractor" (9) that is endlessly plowing through the same routine tasks day after day.

The poem's use of domestic imagery is also significant in that it highlights the gendered expectations of women in the 1950s, when the poem was written. The narrator's role as a housewife is seen as both mundane and oppressive, as she is expected to find fulfillment in her domestic duties rather than in her own personal pursuits.

The Poem's Themes

The themes of gender roles, social expectations, and the search for identity are all present in Housewife, making it a complex and multi-layered work of literature.

Gender Roles

One of the most prominent themes in Housewife is the idea of gender roles and how they shape the narrator's life. The poem explores the expectations placed on women in the 1950s, when the poem was written, and how these expectations limit the narrator's ability to pursue her own interests and desires.

The opening lines of the poem reveal the narrator's role as a "cleaning woman" (1) who is "scrubbing the kitchen floor" (2), setting the tone for the rest of the poem. The narrator's domestic duties are seen as both mundane and oppressive, as she is expected to find fulfillment in her role as a housewife rather than in her own personal pursuits.

Social Expectations

Another important theme in Housewife is the idea of social expectations and how they contribute to the narrator's sense of entrapment. The poem suggests that the narrator's life is shaped not only by her gender but also by the social norms and conventions of her time.

The narrator's sense of entrapment is captured in the image of the "tractor" (9) that is "plowing through a field of mud" (10). This image suggests that the narrator is stuck in a rut, unable to break free from the expectations placed upon her.

The Search for Identity

Lastly, Housewife is a poem about the search for identity and the struggle to find meaning in life. The narrator's dissatisfaction with her life is rooted in her desire for something more, something that will give her a sense of purpose and fulfillment.

This theme is captured in the closing lines of the poem, where the narrator reflects on the "woman who is me" (19) and wonders what kind of life she might have had if she had been born under different circumstances. This moment of introspection highlights the narrator's desire for self-discovery and her longing for a life that is not defined by her gender or social status.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Housewife by Anne Sexton is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of gender roles, social expectations, and the search for identity. The poem's use of imagery, tone, and form effectively convey the narrator's sense of entrapment and dissatisfaction with her life, making it a timeless work of literature that continues to resonate with readers today. Whether read as a commentary on gender norms, a critique of social expectations, or a meditation on the human condition, Housewife is a poem that is sure to provoke discussion and reflection among readers of all backgrounds and ages.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Housewife: A Poem of Domestic Despair

Anne Sexton's poem "Housewife" is a haunting portrayal of the mundane and oppressive life of a housewife in the 1950s. The poem is a powerful commentary on the societal expectations placed on women during that era, and the toll it took on their mental health and well-being. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand the deeper meaning behind Sexton's words.

Themes

The central theme of "Housewife" is the oppressive nature of domestic life for women in the 1950s. Sexton portrays the housewife as a prisoner in her own home, trapped in a cycle of cooking, cleaning, and caring for her family. The poem highlights the monotony and drudgery of this life, as well as the lack of fulfillment and purpose it provides.

Another theme that emerges in the poem is the idea of societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The housewife is expected to be the perfect wife and mother, always cheerful and content in her role. However, Sexton shows us that this is a façade, and that beneath the surface, the housewife is struggling with feelings of isolation, frustration, and despair.

Imagery

Sexton uses vivid and often disturbing imagery to convey the sense of entrapment and despair felt by the housewife. The opening lines of the poem set the tone:

Some women marry houses. It's another kind of skin; it has a heart, a mouth, a liver and bowel movements.

Here, Sexton compares the house to a living organism, suggesting that the housewife is trapped inside it like a parasite. The use of bodily functions like "bowel movements" adds a visceral quality to the imagery, emphasizing the sense of confinement and claustrophobia.

Throughout the poem, Sexton uses domestic objects and activities to create a sense of suffocation. For example, she describes the housewife's apron as "a metal cuirass" and her vacuum cleaner as a "suctioning dragon." These images suggest that the housewife is weighed down by the trappings of domestic life, unable to escape the constant demands of her role.

Language

Sexton's language in "Housewife" is simple and direct, but also highly evocative. She uses short, declarative sentences to convey the sense of monotony and routine in the housewife's life. For example:

The floors go on./The doors go on./The stairs go on.

These lines create a sense of endless repetition, emphasizing the unchanging nature of the housewife's existence.

Sexton also uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, she repeats the phrase "I'm lonely" several times throughout the poem, each time with a slightly different inflection. This repetition emphasizes the housewife's isolation and the desperation of her situation.

Conclusion

"Housewife" is a powerful and haunting poem that speaks to the experiences of women in the 1950s. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and evocative language creates a sense of entrapment and despair, highlighting the oppressive nature of domestic life for women during that era. The poem is a powerful commentary on the societal expectations placed on women, and the toll it took on their mental health and well-being. Despite its bleak subject matter, "Housewife" is a beautifully crafted work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.

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