'The Black Art' by Anne Sexton
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A woman who writes feels too much,
those trances and portents!
As if cycles and children and islands
weren't enough; as if mourners and gossips
and vegetables were never enough.
She thinks she can warn the stars.
A writer is essentially a spy.
Dear love, I am that girl.
A man who writes knows too much,
such spells and fetiches!
As if erections and congresses and products
weren't enough; as if machines and galleons
and wars were never enough.
With used furniture he makes a tree.
A writer is essentially a crook.
Dear love, you are that man.
Never loving ourselves,
hating even our shoes and our hats,
we love each other, precious, precious.
Our hands are light blue and gentle.
Our eyes are full of terrible confessions.
But when we marry,
the children leave in disgust.
There is too much food and no one left over
to eat up all the weird abundance.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Black Art by Anne Sexton: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry
Anne Sexton was a master of confessional poetry, a genre that emerged in the 1950s and 1960s in which poets revealed their personal experiences and emotions in their work. Her poem "The Black Art" is a prime example of this style, as it delves into the dark corners of her psyche and exposes her deepest fears and desires. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze Sexton's use of language, imagery, and form to convey her central themes of madness, violence, and sexuality.
Analysis of Language and Imagery
"The Black Art" begins with the ominous declaration, "A woman who writes feels too much," setting the tone for the rest of the poem. Sexton immediately establishes the idea that writing is a form of catharsis for her, a way to purge herself of the overwhelming emotions that she feels. This idea is further reinforced in the second stanza, where she writes, "it is dangerous / to let the outside in." Here, Sexton suggests that her internal world is so tumultuous that she fears it will consume and destroy her if she doesn't find a way to express it.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses vivid and often violent imagery to convey her emotions. For example, she writes that "the fingers are ready to kill" and that "the woman in the attic / feeds upon her own breast." These images are disturbing and unsettling, but they also serve to illustrate the intensity of Sexton's feelings. She is not afraid to confront the darker aspects of her psyche, and she uses language to create a visceral reaction in the reader.
One of the most striking images in the poem is the "black art" itself, which Sexton describes as "the art of the dark." By using the color black, she conveys a sense of danger and mystery, and by calling it an art, she suggests that there is a certain skill and mastery involved in accessing the depths of one's psyche. The phrase "the art of the dark" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing its importance as a central theme.
Interpretation of Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "The Black Art" is madness. Sexton writes that "the woman in the attic / is howling," suggesting that she herself is on the edge of sanity. This idea is reinforced by the violent and disturbing imagery throughout the poem. However, Sexton also suggests that madness can be a form of liberation. She writes that "the madman drum / taps out the message: / death! death! death!" Here, the madman is not a figure of fear, but rather a messenger of truth. By embracing madness, Sexton is able to confront the darker aspects of her psyche and free herself from societal constraints.
Another major theme in the poem is violence. Sexton writes that "the fingers are ready to kill," suggesting that there is a primal, animalistic urge within her that is capable of extreme violence. This theme is also present in the image of the woman in the attic who "feeds upon her own breast." This violent act can be interpreted as a form of self-destruction, but it can also be seen as a way to access a deeper level of understanding and truth.
Finally, sexuality is a central theme in "The Black Art." Sexton writes that "the woman in the attic / strips off her clothes / and the man climbs on top of her," suggesting that she is not afraid to explore her own desires and confront the societal taboos surrounding female sexuality. However, this exploration is not without its risks. Sexton suggests that the woman in the attic is both the victim and the perpetrator of sexual violence, saying that "her mouth blooms like a cut / with rows of incisors / and the blood talks in her veins." This image is both beautiful and terrifying, illustrating the complex and often contradictory nature of female sexuality.
Analysis of Form
"The Black Art" is written in free verse, with no regular meter or rhyme scheme. This form allows Sexton to experiment with language and imagery, creating a sense of chaos and unpredictability that reflects the content of the poem. However, despite the lack of a regular structure, there are several repeated phrases and images throughout the poem that serve to tie it together thematically. For example, the phrase "the woman in the attic" is repeated several times, emphasizing its importance as a central image.
Additionally, the poem is broken into stanzas of varying lengths, which serve to create a sense of momentum and progression. Each stanza introduces a new idea or image, building upon the themes established in the previous stanza. The final stanza is the longest, and it serves as a sort of culmination of the ideas presented throughout the poem. In this stanza, Sexton writes, "The black telephone's off at the root, / the voices just can't worm through." This line suggests that Sexton has reached a point of complete isolation and alienation, unable to connect with the outside world. However, she concludes the poem with the declaration that "the woman in the attic / writes poetry," suggesting that writing is her salvation and her way of connecting with the world.
Conclusion
"The Black Art" is a powerful and provocative poem that delves into the darkest corners of Anne Sexton's psyche. Through her use of language, imagery, and form, Sexton is able to convey her central themes of madness, violence, and sexuality in a way that is both unsettling and beautiful. This poem is a masterpiece of confessional poetry, and it serves as a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her willingness to confront the most difficult aspects of her own humanity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Black Art: A Masterpiece of Confessional Poetry
Anne Sexton's The Black Art is a masterpiece of confessional poetry that explores the dark and complex themes of mental illness, suicide, and the human psyche. Written in 1962, the poem is a powerful and haunting portrayal of the author's struggles with depression and her desperate search for meaning and purpose in life.
The poem is divided into three parts, each of which explores a different aspect of the human condition. The first part, titled "The Addict," is a vivid and visceral depiction of the author's addiction to drugs and alcohol. Sexton describes the physical and emotional toll that addiction takes on the body and mind, using vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to convey the sense of desperation and despair that she feels.
In the second part of the poem, titled "The Suicide," Sexton explores the theme of suicide and the complex emotions that lead people to take their own lives. She describes the feelings of hopelessness and despair that can overwhelm a person in the depths of depression, and the sense of isolation and loneliness that can make suicide seem like the only way out.
The final part of the poem, titled "The Mystic," is a powerful and moving exploration of the human spirit and the search for meaning and purpose in life. Sexton describes the transformative power of spiritual experience, and the sense of connection and unity that can be found in the midst of suffering and pain.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses a variety of poetic techniques to convey the complex emotions and themes that she is exploring. She uses vivid imagery and powerful metaphors to create a sense of immediacy and intensity, and she employs a range of poetic devices such as repetition, alliteration, and rhyme to create a sense of rhythm and musicality.
One of the most striking features of the poem is its confessional tone. Sexton is brutally honest about her struggles with addiction and depression, and she lays bare her deepest fears and anxieties in a way that is both raw and powerful. This confessional style was a hallmark of the confessional poetry movement of the 1960s, of which Sexton was a leading figure.
The Black Art is also notable for its use of religious imagery and symbolism. Sexton draws on a range of religious traditions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and Hinduism, to explore the themes of spirituality and transcendence. She uses images of angels, demons, and mystical experiences to create a sense of the numinous and the transcendent, and she explores the idea of redemption and salvation in the face of suffering and pain.
Overall, The Black Art is a powerful and moving work of poetry that explores some of the most profound and complex themes of the human experience. Sexton's confessional style and her use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors create a sense of immediacy and intensity that is both haunting and unforgettable. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest and most profound aspects of the human psyche, and it remains a classic of confessional poetry to this day.
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