'The Frog Prince' by Anne Sexton
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Frau Doktor,
Mama Brundig,
take out your contacts,
remove your wig.
I write for you.
I entertain.
But frogs come out
of the sky like rain.
Frogs arrive
With an ugly fury.
You are my judge.
You are my jury.
My guilts are what
we catalogue.
I'll take a knife
and chop up frog.
Frog has not nerves.
Frog is as old as a cockroach.
Frog is my father's genitals.
Frog is a malformed doorknob.
Frog is a soft bag of green.
The moon will not have him.
The sun wants to shut off
like a light bulb.
At the sight of him
the stone washes itself in a tub.
The crow thinks he's an apple
and drops a worm in.
At the feel of frog
the touch-me-nots explode
like electric slugs.
Slime will have him.
Slime has made him a house.
Mr. Poison
is at my bed.
He wants my sausage.
He wants my bread.
Mama Brundig,
he wants my beer.
He wants my Christ
for a souvenir.
Frog has boil disease
and a bellyful of parasites.
He says: Kiss me. Kiss me.
And the ground soils itself.
Why
should a certain
quite adorable princess
be walking in her garden
at such a time
and toss her golden ball
up like a bubble
and drop it into the well?
It was ordained.
Just as the fates deal out
the plague with a tarot card.
Just as the Supreme Being drills
holes in our skulls to let
the Boston Symphony through.
But I digress.
A loss has taken place.
The ball has sunk like a cast-iron pot
into the bottom of the well.
Lost, she said,
my moon, my butter calf,
my yellow moth, my Hindu hare.
Obviously it was more than a ball.
Balls such as these are not
for sale in Au Bon March.
I took the moon, she said,
between my teeth
and now it is gone
and I am lost forever.
A thief had robbed by day.
Suddenly the well grew
thick and boiling
and a frog appeared.
His eyes bulged like two peas
and his body was trussed into place.
Do not be afraid, Princess,
he said, I am not a vagabond,
a cattle farmer, a shepherd,
a doorkeeper, a postman
or a laborer.
I come to you as a tradesman.
I have something to sell.
Your ball, he said,
for just three things.
Let me eat from your plate.
Let me drink from your cup.
Let me sleep in your bed.
She thought, Old Waddler,
those three you will never do,
but she made the promises
with hopes for her ball once more.
He brought it up in his mouth
like a tricky old dog
and she ran back to the castle
leaving the frog quite alone.
That evening at dinner time
a knock was heard on the castle door
and a voice demanded:
King's youngest daughter,
let me in. You promised;
now open to me.
I have left the skunk cabbage
and the eels to live with you.
The kind then heard her promise
and forced her to comply.
The frog first sat on her lap.
He was as awful as an undertaker.
Next he was at her plate
looking over her bacon
and calves' liver.
We will eat in tandem,
he said gleefully.
Her fork trembled
as if a small machine
had entered her.
He sat upon the liver
and partook like a gourmet.
The princess choked
as if she were eating a puppy.
From her cup he drank.
It wasn't exactly hygienic.
From her cup she drank
as if it were Socrates' hemlock.
Next came the bed.
The silky royal bed.
Ah! The penultimate hour!
There was the pillow
with the princess breathing
and there was the sinuous frog
riding up and down beside her.
I have been lost in a river
of shut doors, he said,
and I have made my way over
the wet stones to live with you.
She woke up aghast.
I suffer for birds and fireflies
but not frogs, she said,
and threw him across the room.
Kaboom!
Like a genie coming out of a samovar,
a handsome prince arose in the
corner of her bedroom.
He had kind eyes and hands
and was a friend of sorrow.
Thus they were married.
After all he had compromised her.
He hired a night watchman
so that no one could enter the chamber
and he had the well
boarded over so that
never again would she lose her ball,
that moon, that Krishna hair,
that blind poppy, that innocent globe,
that madonna womb.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Frog Prince: A Tale of Transformation
Introduction
When we hear the name “The Frog Prince,” most of us would think of a fairy tale that we heard in our childhood. However, Anne Sexton’s version of the story takes a different turn, exploring the themes of transformation, love, and redemption in a way that is unique to her style of poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at Sexton’s poem, examining the themes, structure, and literary devices used by the poet to convey her message.
Themes
One of the central themes of The Frog Prince is transformation. The poem is a retelling of the classic fairy tale, but Sexton adds her own twist by focusing on the transformation of the prince. The frog prince in Sexton’s version is not just physically transformed, but also changes on a deeper, psychological level. The poem describes how the prince was once a “creature of honor,” but after being cursed, he becomes a “creature of slime.” As the poem progresses, we see how the prince’s transformation reflects his emotional state, and how he longs for redemption.
Another theme that runs throughout the poem is love. The frog prince’s transformation is triggered by his desire to be loved, and throughout the poem, we see how this desire drives the prince. The poem explores the different forms of love, from the selfish love of the princess who only wants to break the curse for her own benefit, to the selfless love of the frog who sacrifices himself for the princess’s sake.
Redemption is another theme that is explored in the poem. The frog prince is a character who has made mistakes and has been punished for them. However, as the poem progresses, we see how he is given a chance at redemption. The prince’s transformation is not just physical, but also represents his desire to be redeemed and to make amends for his past mistakes. This theme is further emphasized in the final lines of the poem, where the prince says, “I am your prince, / your one and only prince / and all I have been / I now lay down at your feet.”
Structure
The structure of The Frog Prince plays an important role in conveying the themes of the poem. The poem consists of six stanzas, each with a varying number of lines. The irregular structure of the poem reflects the chaotic and unpredictable nature of the prince’s transformation. The use of enjambment also contributes to the poem’s structure, giving it a flowing, almost stream-of-consciousness feel.
The use of repetition is another structural device used in the poem. The line “I am your prince” is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the prince’s desire to be loved and his need for redemption. This repetition serves to unify the poem and reinforce its central themes.
Literary Devices
Anne Sexton’s use of literary devices in The Frog Prince is masterful, contributing to the poem’s emotional impact. One of the most striking devices used in the poem is imagery. The poem is full of vivid, often grotesque images, such as the “slime-filled eyes” of the frog prince or the “web of green veins” that cover his skin. These images serve to emphasize the prince’s physical and emotional transformation, as well as his feelings of isolation and despair.
The use of metaphor is another literary device used in the poem. The frog prince is a metaphor for the human condition, with his transformation serving as a metaphor for the transformations we undergo throughout our lives. The poem explores the idea that we are all capable of change, and that redemption is possible for those who seek it.
The use of allusion is another literary device used in the poem. Sexton alludes to the classic fairy tale of The Frog Prince, but puts her own spin on the story. This allusion serves to ground the poem in a familiar narrative, while also allowing Sexton to explore the themes of the original story in a new and unique way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Frog Prince is a powerful poem that explores the themes of transformation, love, and redemption. Anne Sexton’s masterful use of literary devices and imagery serves to convey the emotional impact of the prince’s transformation, as well as his desire for love and redemption. The poem is a testament to the power of storytelling, and a reminder that the stories we tell ourselves can have a profound impact on how we view ourselves and the world around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Frog Prince: A Tale of Transformation and Self-Discovery
Anne Sexton's "The Frog Prince" is a classic poem that tells the story of a young princess who meets a frog in the forest and is forced to confront her own prejudices and assumptions about the world. Through her encounter with the frog, the princess learns valuable lessons about the nature of love, transformation, and self-discovery.
The poem begins with the princess wandering through the forest, lost in thought and feeling disconnected from the world around her. She is searching for something, but she doesn't know what it is. Suddenly, she hears a voice calling out to her from a nearby pond. It is the voice of a frog, who begs her to help him escape from the water.
At first, the princess is repulsed by the frog's appearance and dismisses his pleas for help. She sees him as nothing more than a slimy, ugly creature that is beneath her notice. However, as the frog continues to plead with her, she begins to feel a sense of compassion and empathy for him. She realizes that he is not just a frog, but a living being with feelings and desires of his own.
As the princess helps the frog out of the pond, he transforms into a handsome prince. This sudden transformation shocks and confuses the princess, who is unsure of what to make of it. She is initially skeptical of the prince's true intentions, but he assures her that he is not a threat and that he only wants to be her friend.
Through her interactions with the prince, the princess learns important lessons about the nature of love and transformation. She discovers that true love is not based on appearances or social status, but on the deeper qualities of a person's character. She also learns that transformation is a natural part of life, and that it can be a positive force for growth and self-discovery.
One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of transformation. The frog's transformation into a prince is a powerful symbol of the transformative power of love and self-discovery. Through her encounter with the frog, the princess is able to transform her own perceptions of the world and herself. She learns to see beyond surface appearances and to appreciate the deeper qualities of the people around her.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of self-discovery. The princess's journey through the forest is a metaphor for her own journey of self-discovery. She is searching for something, but she doesn't know what it is. Through her encounter with the frog, she is able to discover a new sense of purpose and meaning in her life. She learns to embrace her own inner beauty and to see the world in a new and more positive light.
The poem also explores the theme of love. The princess's initial dismissal of the frog is based on her own prejudices and assumptions about the world. She sees him as a repulsive creature that is beneath her notice. However, as she gets to know him better, she begins to see beyond his appearance and to appreciate the deeper qualities of his character. This transformation of her perception is a powerful symbol of the transformative power of love.
Overall, "The Frog Prince" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores important themes of transformation, self-discovery, and love. Through her encounter with the frog, the princess is able to learn valuable lessons about the nature of the world and herself. She discovers that true beauty lies not in appearances, but in the deeper qualities of a person's character. She also learns that transformation is a natural part of life, and that it can be a positive force for growth and self-discovery.
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