'The Children' by Anne Sexton
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The children are all crying in their pens
and the surf carries their cries away.
They are old men who have seen too much,
their mouths are full of dirty clothes,
the tongues poverty, tears like puss.
The surf pushes their cries back.
Listen.
They are bewitched.
They are writing down their life
on the wings of an elf
who then dissolves.
They are writing down their life
on a century fallen to ruin.
They are writing down their life
on the bomb of an alien God.
I am too.
We must get help.
The children are dying in their pens.
Their bodies are crumbling.
Their tongues are twisting backwards.
There is a certain ritual to it.
There is a dance they do in their pens.
Their mouths are immense.
They are swallowing monster hearts.
So is my mouth.Listen.
We must all stop dying in the little ways,
in the craters of hate,
in the potholes of indifference--
a murder in the temple.
The place I live in
is a maze
and I keep seeking
the exit or the home.
Yet if I could listen
to the bulldog courage of those children
and turn inward into the plague of my soul
with more eyes than the stars
I could melt the darkness--
as suddenly as that time
when an awful headache goes away
or someone puts out the fire--
and stop the darkness and its amputations
and find the real McCoy
in the private holiness
of my hands.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Children by Anne Sexton: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that made you feel like you were floating in the abyss of emotions? A poem that spoke to you so deeply that you could feel it in every nerve of your body? Well, that's what Anne Sexton's "The Children" did to me. This poem is a breathtaking masterpiece that captures the essence of motherhood, love, and loss in a way that only a genius like Sexton could pull off.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive deep into Sexton's "The Children," analyzing its themes, literary devices, and overall impact on the reader. So, fasten your seatbelts and get ready for an emotional ride.
The Themes
"The Children" is a poem that explores the themes of motherhood, love, and loss. The poem starts off with the speaker addressing her children and asking them to come to her. The maternal love that the speaker has for her children is evident from the very beginning. She wants to hold them in her arms and protect them from the world. However, as the poem progresses, we see that the speaker is aware that she cannot protect her children from everything. She knows that they will grow up and face the harsh realities of life.
The theme of loss is also very prominent in this poem. The speaker is aware that her children will eventually leave her and go out into the world. She knows that she will not always be able to be there for them. This realization fills her with a sense of sadness and loss. She wants to hold onto her children and keep them with her forever, but she knows that she cannot.
The Literary Devices
Sexton's use of literary devices in this poem is nothing short of brilliant. She uses repetition, imagery, and metaphor to create a powerful and emotional piece of poetry.
Repetition is used throughout the poem to create a sense of longing and desire. The speaker repeatedly asks her children to come to her, creating a sense of urgency and longing. This repetition also emphasizes the theme of loss, as the speaker knows that her children will not always be with her.
Imagery is also used effectively in this poem. The speaker describes her children as "little fish" and "curly heads." These descriptions create a vivid image in the reader's mind and make the poem more relatable. The use of water imagery also adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The speaker talks about her children being "drowned by time" and "washed up." These images create a sense of sadness and loss, as the speaker knows that her children will eventually be taken away from her.
Metaphor is also used to great effect in this poem. The speaker compares her children to "little fish" and herself to a "fisherman." This metaphor creates a sense of vulnerability and helplessness, as the fisherman is at the mercy of the fish. Similarly, the speaker is at the mercy of time and the world, unable to protect her children from everything.
The Impact
The impact of "The Children" on the reader is nothing short of profound. Sexton's use of language and imagery creates a powerful emotional response in the reader. The themes of motherhood, love, and loss are universal and relatable, making the poem resonate with readers of all ages.
The sense of loss that permeates the poem is particularly poignant. The speaker's realization that her children will eventually leave her and go out into the world is something that many parents can relate to. This creates a sense of empathy and understanding in the reader, as they too have experienced the pain of letting go of a loved one.
The use of water imagery also adds to the emotional impact of the poem. Water is a powerful symbol of life and death, and the speaker's use of water imagery creates a sense of inevitability and finality. The feeling of being "drowned by time" is something that many readers can relate to, as they too have experienced the passage of time and the loss of loved ones.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's "The Children" is a masterpiece of poetry. The themes of motherhood, love, and loss are explored with depth and nuance, creating a powerful emotional response in the reader. Sexton's use of literary devices such as repetition, imagery, and metaphor add to the emotional impact of the poem, making it both relatable and universal. "The Children" is a poem that speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human, and it will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a powerful medium that can evoke emotions, spark imagination, and inspire change. Anne Sexton's poem "The Children" is a classic example of how poetry can capture the essence of human experience and convey it in a way that is both poignant and thought-provoking. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in "The Children" to understand the deeper meaning behind this masterpiece.
First, let's take a look at the structure of the poem. "The Children" is a free verse poem, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, Sexton uses line breaks and enjambment to create a sense of flow and rhythm. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus. The first stanza introduces the children and their innocence, the second stanza explores the darker aspects of their lives, and the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of hope.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, introducing the children as "little poppies" who "sleeping lay." The imagery of poppies is significant because they are often associated with sleep and death. This foreshadows the darker themes that will be explored later in the poem. The children are described as innocent and pure, with "rosy cheeks" and "golden hair." Sexton uses alliteration to create a sense of harmony and balance in this stanza, emphasizing the beauty and simplicity of childhood.
The second stanza takes a darker turn, exploring the harsh realities of the children's lives. Sexton uses vivid imagery to paint a picture of poverty and neglect. The children are described as "thin as a cricket" and "barefoot in the dirt." The use of simile and metaphor creates a sense of contrast between the beauty of the first stanza and the harshness of the second. The children are no longer innocent and carefree, but rather victims of circumstance.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close with a sense of hope. Sexton uses the image of a "silver moon" to symbolize the possibility of change and renewal. The children are described as "singing" and "dancing," suggesting that they have found joy and happiness despite their difficult circumstances. The final line, "We are tired, Beloved, of poverty," is a powerful statement of defiance and determination. The children refuse to be defined by their circumstances and instead choose to embrace life with all its challenges and opportunities.
One of the most striking aspects of "The Children" is the use of language. Sexton's language is simple and direct, yet it conveys a depth of emotion and meaning that is truly remarkable. She uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and emphasis, as in the line "We are tired, Beloved, of poverty." The repetition of "tired" and "poverty" emphasizes the exhaustion and frustration that the children feel.
Sexton also uses metaphor and simile to create vivid images that stay with the reader long after the poem is finished. For example, the line "Their beds are white as driftwood" creates a sense of emptiness and desolation, while the image of the children as "thin as a cricket" emphasizes their vulnerability and fragility.
Another important aspect of "The Children" is the theme of poverty and its impact on children. Sexton's poem is a powerful commentary on the social and economic inequalities that exist in our society. The children in the poem are victims of poverty, forced to live in squalor and deprivation. Yet despite their circumstances, they remain resilient and hopeful, refusing to be defined by their poverty.
In conclusion, "The Children" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of childhood and the impact of poverty on young lives. Sexton's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a sense of depth and emotion that is both poignant and thought-provoking. The poem is a reminder that even in the darkest of circumstances, there is always hope and the possibility of change. As we reflect on the themes and imagery of "The Children," we are reminded of the power of poetry to inspire and transform our lives.
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