'The Other' by Anne Sexton
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Under my bowels, yellow with smoke,
it waits.
Under my eyes, those milk bunnies,
it waits.
It is waiting.
It is waiting.
Mr. Doppelganger. My brother. My spouse.
Mr. Doppelganger. My enemy. My lover.
When truth comes spilling out like peas
it hangs up the phone.
When the child is soothed and resting on the breast
it is my other who swallows Lysol.
When someone kisses someone or flushes the toilet
it is my other who sits in a ball and cries.
My other beats a tin drum in my heart.
My other hangs up laundry as I try to sleep.
My other cries and cries and cries
when I put on a cocktail dress.
It cries when I prick a potato.
It cries when I kiss someone hello.
It cries and cries and cries
until I put on a painted mask
and leer at Jesus in His passion.
Then it giggles.
It is a thumbscrew.
Its hatred makes it clairvoyant.
I can only sign over everything,
the house, the dog, the ladders, the jewels,
the soul, the family tree, the mailbox.
Then I can sleep.
Maybe.
Anonymous submission.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Other: A Masterpiece by Anne Sexton
When you first read Anne Sexton's poem, "The Other," it might leave you feeling a little disturbed, as if someone just spilled a cup of cold water down your back. But as you keep reading, the imagery starts to reveal itself, the symbols start to speak out, and the themes start to emerge. And before you know it, you are drowning in a pool of emotions, thoughts, and questions, all stirred by this masterpiece of poetry.
In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the world of "The Other," exploring its linguistic, structural, and thematic elements, and uncovering the layers of meaning that make it one of the most profound and resonant poems of our times. So let's buckle up, grab a cup of coffee, and enter the realm of Anne Sexton's "The Other."
Linguistic Analysis
To fully appreciate the power of "The Other," we must start with its linguistic elements, which are perhaps the most striking and distinctive features of the poem. From the very first line, Sexton sets the tone with her use of vivid and unsettling imagery:
There was a knock on the door
and I knew it was the horse.
Notice how the horse is not just any horse, but "the horse," as if it is a mythical creature with a capital H. And notice how it is not walking or running to the door, but knocking on it, as if it has human-like qualities. These images create a sense of foreboding, as if something strange and unconventional is about to happen.
Then, we have the first sentence of the second stanza:
He was in bed with me
and had the face of me.
This sentence is a prime example of Sexton's masterful use of language to create a sense of ambiguity and duality. Notice how the pronoun "he" is not attributed to any specific person or entity, leaving us to wonder who or what the speaker is referring to. Is it a man? A ghost? A dream? And notice how the phrase "and had the face of me" creates a mirror image, as if the speaker is looking at herself and seeing someone else. This duality sets the stage for the central theme of the poem, which we will explore later.
Another example of Sexton's linguistic prowess can be found in the third stanza:
He took off his hat
and there was his face
and it was my face
at last.
Here, Sexton uses repetition and inversion to create a sense of surprise and revelation. Notice how the phrase "and it was my face at last" is not a complete sentence, leaving us hanging for a moment, wondering what it means. And notice how the word "last" is used to imply a long and arduous journey to this point, as if the speaker has been searching for this face for a lifetime.
Overall, "The Other" is a linguistic tour de force, showcasing Sexton's ability to use words, phrases, and images to create a sense of unease, duality, and revelation.
Structural Analysis
The linguistic elements of "The Other" are supported by its structural elements, which are equally masterful and purposeful. The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and each with its own distinct tone and imagery.
The first stanza sets the stage, with the horse knocking on the door and the speaker knowing it is the horse. This creates a sense of anticipation, as if something unusual is about to happen.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the presence of "him," who is in bed with the speaker and has her face. This creates a sense of ambiguity and duality, as if the speaker is split between two identities.
The third stanza reveals the face of "him," which turns out to be the face of the speaker at last. This creates a sense of surprise and revelation, as if the mystery is finally solved.
The fourth and final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the horse leaving and the speaker saying goodbye to "him." This creates a sense of closure and resolution, as if the speaker has come to terms with her duality and the presence of the other.
Notice how each stanza builds on the previous one, creating a sense of progression and development. And notice how the final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the horse leaving and the speaker saying goodbye to "him," as if the journey is complete.
Thematic Analysis
The linguistic and structural elements of "The Other" support its central themes, which are perhaps the most complex and thought-provoking aspects of the poem. At its core, "The Other" is a poem about duality, identity, and acceptance.
Throughout the poem, the speaker struggles to come to terms with her duality. She is split between two identities: the "me" and the "him." This duality is represented by the horse, who is both a symbol of freedom and a symbol of bondage, and by the face, which is both a source of recognition and a source of alienation.
But the speaker also struggles to accept her duality. She fears the other, who is both a source of fascination and a source of repulsion. She fears the loss of identity, the merging of two selves into one. And she fears the judgment of society, which demands conformity and uniformity.
Yet, despite these fears, the speaker ultimately comes to accept her duality. She embraces the other, saying "Goodbye my love, my horse, my god," as if acknowledging the other as a part of herself. And she finds comfort in the idea that "I am the other woman. I am the other woman," as if celebrating her uniqueness and her difference.
In this sense, "The Other" is a poem about the human condition, about the struggle to reconcile the self with the other, the individual with the collective, the unique with the universal. It is a poem that invites us to question our own identities, to explore our own duality, and to embrace the other within us.
Conclusion
Anne Sexton's "The Other" is a masterpiece of poetry, a work of art that combines linguistic, structural, and thematic elements to create a sense of unease, duality, and revelation. It is a poem that challenges us to explore our own identities, to embrace our own duality, and to accept the other within us. It is a poem that reminds us that we are all the other, and that the other is us. So let us read it, let us feel it, and let us celebrate it as one of the greatest poems of our times.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Other: A Poem of Self-Discovery and Acceptance
Anne Sexton’s poem, The Other, is a powerful and introspective piece that explores the themes of identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and raw emotions, Sexton takes the reader on a journey of self-exploration, as she grapples with the idea of the “other” within herself. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem’s meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore how Sexton’s personal experiences shaped her writing.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a dream she had, where she saw herself as “the other woman”. This dream serves as a metaphor for the speaker’s internal struggle with her own identity. She feels like an outsider in her own life, disconnected from her true self. The use of the word “other” is significant here, as it highlights the speaker’s sense of alienation and disconnection from her own identity.
As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to explore the idea of the “other” in more detail. She describes how she has always felt like an outsider, even in her own body. She talks about how she has tried to conform to societal norms and expectations, but has always felt like she was living a lie. The line “I have been her kind” is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker has tried to fit in with others, but has always felt like an imposter.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as the speaker describes her desire to escape from herself. She talks about how she has tried to kill herself, and how she has felt like a “ghost” in her own life. This section of the poem is particularly powerful, as it highlights the speaker’s deep sense of despair and hopelessness. The use of the word “ghost” is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker feels like she is not truly alive.
However, the poem ends on a more hopeful note, as the speaker begins to accept herself for who she is. She talks about how she has learned to love herself, and how she has found a sense of peace within herself. The final lines of the poem, “I am the other woman / who has loved a man / and I am the man / who has loved a woman”, suggest that the speaker has come to accept all aspects of herself, including her sexuality.
One of the most striking aspects of The Other is its structure. The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with a different tone and mood. The first stanza is dreamlike and surreal, while the second is more introspective and reflective. The third stanza is darker and more despairing, while the final stanza is more hopeful and accepting. This structure mirrors the speaker’s journey of self-discovery, as she moves from a state of confusion and despair to one of acceptance and self-love.
Sexton’s use of literary devices is also noteworthy. The poem is full of vivid imagery, such as the line “I have ridden in your cart, driver, / waved my nude arms at villages going by”. This image of the speaker waving her arms in the air is both sensual and liberating, and suggests a sense of freedom and release. The use of repetition is also effective, as the repeated phrase “I am the other woman” reinforces the speaker’s sense of alienation and disconnection from herself.
It is also important to consider the context in which Sexton wrote this poem. Sexton was a confessional poet, known for her deeply personal and autobiographical writing. She struggled with mental illness throughout her life, and attempted suicide multiple times. The Other can be seen as a reflection of Sexton’s own struggles with identity and self-acceptance. The poem is a testament to the power of self-discovery and acceptance, and serves as a reminder that we are all capable of finding peace within ourselves.
In conclusion, The Other is a powerful and introspective poem that explores the themes of identity, self-discovery, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery and raw emotions, Sexton takes the reader on a journey of self-exploration, as she grapples with the idea of the “other” within herself. The poem’s structure and literary devices are effective in conveying the speaker’s journey of self-discovery, and the context in which Sexton wrote the poem adds an extra layer of depth and meaning. The Other is a timeless piece of poetry that speaks to the human experience of self-discovery and acceptance, and is sure to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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