'Small Wire' by Anne Sexton
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My faith
is a great weight
hung on a small wire,
as doth the spider
hang her baby on a thin web,
as doth the vine,
twiggy and wooden,
hold up grapes
like eyeballs,
as many angels
dance on the head of a pin.
God does not need
too much wire to keep Him there,
just a thin vein,
with blood pushing back and forth in it,
and some love.
As it has been said:
Love and a cough
cannot be concealed.
Even a small cough.
Even a small love.
So if you have only a thin wire,
God does not mind.
He will enter your hands
as easily as ten cents used to
bring forth a Coke.
Submitted by Emily
Editor 1 Interpretation
Small Wire: A Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Poetry
Anne Sexton is a name that is synonymous with confessional poetry, an art form that brought to light the innermost thoughts and emotions of poets. Her poem, Small Wire, is a remarkable example of her style. As a literary critic, I have been enamored by the depth and beauty of Sexton's poetry. In this 4000-word literary criticism, I will delve into the intricacies of Small Wire, interpret its meaning, and explore the themes that are present in this classic poem.
The Poem
Small Wire is a poem that is hauntingly beautiful. It is not just the words that are powerful but also the way Sexton delivers them. Her poetry is raw and unapologetic, and Small Wire is no exception. The poem consists of nine stanzas, each with four lines, and is written in free verse. Sexton's use of free verse is deliberate as it allows her to experiment with form and structure while giving her the freedom to express herself fully.
The beekeeper's daughter
married a king.
The king poster said,
"Beware the small wire."
The poem starts with a simple narrative, the story of the beekeeper's daughter marrying a king. However, the addition of the king's poster warning about the small wire adds a sense of mystery and foreboding to the poem. One cannot help but wonder what the small wire is and why it is significant.
And so she thought
the small wire was a telephone
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the second stanza, the beekeeper's daughter misunderstands the meaning of the small wire and assumes it is a telephone. The king's response, "But it's only a small wire," suggests that he is aware of the real meaning of the small wire, but he is dismissive of its importance.
And so she thought
the small wire was a golden ring
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the third stanza, the beekeeper's daughter again misunderstands the meaning of the small wire, this time thinking it is a golden ring. The king's response is the same as before, "But it's only a small wire." This repetition of the same phrase emphasizes the king's nonchalance and dismissive attitude towards the small wire.
And so she thought
the small wire was a curled worm
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the fourth stanza, the beekeeper's daughter's misunderstanding of the small wire continues. This time, she thinks it is a curled worm. The king's response is still the same, "But it's only a small wire." This repetition emphasizes the king's lack of interest in the small wire and his inability to understand its significance.
And so she thought
the small wire was a small vine
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the fifth stanza, the beekeeper's daughter continues to misunderstand the small wire, thinking it is a small vine. The king's response, once again, is dismissive. This repetition emphasizes the king's lack of curiosity and his disregard for the small wire.
And so she thought
the small wire was a hairpin
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the sixth stanza, the beekeeper's daughter again misunderstands the small wire, this time thinking it is a hairpin. The king's response is the same as before, "But it's only a small wire." This repetition emphasizes the king's lack of concern and his failure to grasp the importance of the small wire.
And so she thought
the small wire was a lover's hat
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the seventh stanza, the beekeeper's daughter continues to misunderstand the small wire, this time thinking it is a lover's hat. The king's response is, once again, dismissive. This repetition emphasizes the king's inability to understand the small wire's significance and his lack of empathy towards his wife's fears.
And so she thought
the small wire was a small snake
and she told the king
and he said, "But it's only a small wire."
In the eighth stanza, the beekeeper's daughter misunderstands the small wire once again, this time thinking it is a small snake. The king's response is still dismissive. This repetition emphasizes the king's failure to understand the small wire's significance and his lack of empathy towards his wife's fears.
But one day
the small wire
caught her by the heart
and she could not breathe
and she died.
In the final stanza, the beekeeper's daughter's misunderstanding of the small wire leads to her demise. The small wire "caught her by the heart," and she dies. The poem ends on a tragic note, emphasizing the fatal consequences of the beekeeper's daughter's misunderstanding and the king's dismissive attitude towards the small wire.
Interpretation
Small Wire is a poem that is open to interpretation. However, there are a few common themes and ideas that emerge upon closer inspection.
Misunderstanding and Miscommunication
One theme that is present in Small Wire is misunderstanding and miscommunication. The beekeeper's daughter misunderstands the meaning of the small wire, and each time she shares her interpretation with the king, he dismisses her fears. The king's dismissive attitude towards the small wire highlights the lack of communication between the two. The beekeeper's daughter is unable to express her fears fully to the king, and the king is unable to understand the significance of the small wire.
Power Imbalances
Another theme that is present in Small Wire is power imbalances. The beekeeper's daughter, who comes from a humble background, marries a king, who holds all the power. The king's dismissive attitude towards the small wire highlights the power imbalance between the two. The beekeeper's daughter is unable to make the king understand the significance of the small wire, and her fears are dismissed.
Death
The final theme of Small Wire is death. The beekeeper's daughter's misunderstanding of the small wire leads to her death. The small wire "caught her by the heart," and she dies. This emphasis on death highlights the tragic consequences of miscommunication and misunderstanding.
Conclusion
Small Wire is a remarkable poem that delves into the themes of miscommunication, power imbalances, and death. Anne Sexton's use of repetition and free verse emphasizes the tragedy of the beekeeper's daughter's misunderstanding of the small wire and the king's dismissive attitude towards it. As a literary critic, I am in awe of Sexton's ability to express complex emotions through her poetry. Small Wire is a timeless classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Small Wire: A Poem of Despair and Hope
Anne Sexton’s poem Small Wire is a hauntingly beautiful piece of literature that explores the themes of despair, hope, and the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the fragility of life and the struggles that we all face in our journey through it. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the meaning of the poem and explore the various literary devices that Sexton employs to convey her message.
The poem begins with the image of a small wire, which serves as a metaphor for the human condition. The wire is described as “thin as a human hair” and “brittle as bone”. This image immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it suggests that life is fragile and easily broken. The wire is also described as being “tangled and frayed”, which suggests that life is often messy and complicated.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of despair. The speaker describes a “blackness” that surrounds her, which she cannot escape. This blackness is a metaphor for depression or a sense of hopelessness. The speaker feels trapped and unable to break free from the darkness that surrounds her.
In the third stanza, the speaker begins to explore the theme of hope. She describes a “tiny light” that shines in the darkness. This light represents hope and the possibility of a better future. The speaker acknowledges that the light is small and fragile, but she also recognizes that it is there and that it can guide her through the darkness.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker describes how she has “wrapped the wire around her wrist” and “pulled it tight”. This image is a metaphor for suicide, as the speaker is contemplating ending her life. However, the speaker also acknowledges that there is still hope, as she has not yet let go of the wire. She is still holding on, even though she is in a dark and desperate place.
The fifth stanza of the poem is a turning point. The speaker describes how she has “unwrapped the wire” and “let it fall”. This image represents a moment of surrender, as the speaker lets go of her despair and embraces hope. She acknowledges that life is fragile and that there will be struggles, but she also recognizes that there is still beauty and joy to be found in the world.
The final stanza of the poem is a message of hope and resilience. The speaker describes how she has “picked up the wire” and “twisted it into a ring”. This image represents the speaker’s transformation from a place of despair to a place of hope. She has taken the small wire, which once represented her own fragility, and turned it into a symbol of strength and resilience.
Throughout the poem, Sexton employs a variety of literary devices to convey her message. One of the most powerful devices is the use of metaphor. The small wire serves as a metaphor for the human condition, while the blackness represents depression or hopelessness. The tiny light represents hope, while the act of wrapping the wire around the wrist is a metaphor for suicide. These metaphors help to create a powerful and evocative image of the struggles that we all face in life.
Another literary device that Sexton employs is repetition. The phrase “small wire” is repeated throughout the poem, which serves to reinforce the metaphor and create a sense of continuity. The repetition of the phrase “let it fall” also creates a sense of release and surrender, which is a key theme in the poem.
In conclusion, Small Wire is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of despair, hope, and the human condition. Through the use of metaphor and repetition, Sexton creates a vivid image of the struggles that we all face in life. The poem is a message of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in our darkest moments, there is still light to be found.
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