'You, Doctor Martin' by Anne Sexton
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You, Doctor Martin, walk
from breakfast to madness. Late August,
I speed through the antiseptic tunnel
where the moving dead still talk
of pushing their bones against the thrust
of cure. And I am queen of this summer hotel
or the laughing bee on a stalk
of death. We stand in broken
lines and wait while they unlock
the doors and count us at the frozen gates
of dinner. The shibboleth is spoken
and we move to gravy in our smock
of smiles. We chew in rows, our plates
scratch and whine like chalk
in school. There are no knives
for cutting your throat. I make
moccasins all morning. At first my hands
kept empty, unraveled for the lives
they used to work. Now I learn to take
them back, each angry finger that demands
I mend what another will break
tomorrow. Of course, I love you;
you lean above the plastic sky,
god of our block, prince of all the foxes.
The breaking crowns are new
that Jack wore.
Your third eye
moves among us and lights the separate boxes
where we sleep or cry.
What large children we are
here. All over I grow most tall
in the best ward. Your business is people,
you call at the madhouse, an oracular
eye in our nest. Out in the hall
the intercom pages you. You twist in the pull
of the foxy children who fall
like floods of life in frost.
And we are magic talking to itself,
noisy and alone. I am queen of all my sins
forgotten. Am I still lost?
Once I was beautiful. Now I am myself,
counting this row and that row of moccasins
waiting on the silent shelf.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Literary Criticism of Anne Sexton's "You, Doctor Martin"
Anne Sexton's poem "You, Doctor Martin" is a stunning piece of literary work that delves deep into the human psyche and emotions. The poem presents a clear picture of the character Doctor Martin and his relationship with the narrator, who is a patient of his. Sexton's use of vivid imagery, powerful language, and intense emotions make this poem an exceptional piece of literature. In this literary criticism, we will analyze the poem in detail and explore the various themes and literary devices used by the poet.
The Theme of Mental Illness
One of the most prominent themes in "You, Doctor Martin" is mental illness. The poem revolves around the narrator's experience of being a patient of Doctor Martin, who is a psychiatrist. The poet paints a vivid picture of the struggles and pain that people with mental illness go through. The poem highlights the fact that mental illness is a serious issue that needs to be addressed with sensitivity and care.
Sexton uses powerful language to describe the narrator's feelings of despair and hopelessness. For instance, in the lines "I was once a woman who sat / near a window that looked out / upon a landscape of trees and roofs / and when I wrote I wrote / of the sun that branded the page / and left a brown spot," the poet conveys the narrator's overwhelming sense of sadness and isolation.
The Relationship between Doctor Martin and the Narrator
Another important theme in the poem is the relationship between Doctor Martin and the narrator. The poem suggests that Doctor Martin is a caring and empathetic doctor who genuinely cares about his patients. However, the poem also suggests that the relationship between Doctor Martin and the narrator is complex and fraught with tension.
Sexton uses vivid imagery to describe Doctor Martin's office and the various objects in it. For instance, in the lines "Your office was a museum of the dead, / the ghastly artifacts of a war / that never ends," the poet paints a vivid picture of the gloomy and depressing atmosphere of Doctor Martin's office.
The poem also highlights the power dynamic between Doctor Martin and the narrator. The narrator is in a vulnerable position as a patient, and Doctor Martin holds all the power. However, the poem suggests that Doctor Martin uses his power responsibly and with care.
The Use of Imagery
Sexton uses powerful imagery throughout the poem to convey the narrator's emotions and feelings. The poet uses vivid descriptions of the natural world to contrast with the narrator's experience of mental illness. For instance, in the lines "Outside leaves scrolled past, / snapping like shells / as they hit the pavement," the poet uses the image of leaves falling to convey the sense of loss and despair that the narrator feels.
The poet also uses powerful visual imagery to describe Doctor Martin's office and the various objects in it. For instance, in the lines "There was a bell jar over a dead bird, / a dog in a glass/frame, / and your diploma on the wall / that I read while you measured me / with your eyes," the poet uses the image of the dead bird and the dog in a glass frame to convey the sense of mortality and despair that pervades Doctor Martin's office.
The Use of Language
Sexton's use of language is one of the most impressive aspects of the poem. The poet uses powerful and evocative language to convey the narrator's emotions and feelings. For instance, in the lines "You took me in your hands / like a teacup, and promised / to be careful with me," the poet uses the metaphor of a teacup to convey the narrator's sense of vulnerability and fragility.
The poet also uses language to convey the tension and complexity in the relationship between Doctor Martin and the narrator. For instance, in the lines "You leaned toward me, / and I could smell your breath, / discern the little hairs / that lay like secrets on your wrist," the poet uses language to convey the sense of intimacy and tension in their relationship.
The Poet's Style
Sexton's poetic style is characterized by its rawness and emotional intensity. The poet uses vivid imagery and powerful language to convey complex emotions and ideas. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to experiment with different rhythms and structures.
The poem is also notable for its use of repetition. The poet repeats certain phrases and images throughout the poem, which creates a sense of unity and cohesion. For instance, the phrase "You, Doctor Martin" is repeated throughout the poem, which emphasizes the importance of Doctor Martin in the narrator's life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Anne Sexton's poem "You, Doctor Martin" is a powerful and evocative work of literature. The poem delves deep into the human psyche and explores complex themes such as mental illness, power dynamics, and relationships. The poet's use of imagery, language, and repetition create a sense of unity and cohesion that makes the poem a stunning piece of literary work.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
You, Doctor Martin: A Poem of Love and Loss
Anne Sexton’s poem, “You, Doctor Martin,” is a hauntingly beautiful tribute to a lost love. Written in the confessional style that Sexton is known for, the poem is a deeply personal exploration of the poet’s emotions and experiences. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and raw emotion, Sexton creates a moving portrait of a relationship that was both intense and ultimately doomed.
The poem begins with a simple statement of fact: “You, Doctor Martin, walk from breakfast / to madness.” This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a journey from the mundane to the extraordinary. The use of the name “Doctor Martin” is significant, as it suggests a sense of distance and formality between the speaker and her lover. This distance is further emphasized by the fact that the speaker is not named, and remains anonymous throughout the poem.
As the poem progresses, Sexton uses a series of vivid images to convey the intensity of the speaker’s emotions. She describes the lover’s “hands like birds” and “eyes like a cat’s,” creating a sense of otherworldliness and mystery. The use of animal imagery is particularly effective, as it suggests a primal, instinctual connection between the two lovers. This connection is further emphasized by the repeated use of the word “you,” which creates a sense of intimacy and closeness.
Throughout the poem, Sexton uses metaphors to explore the complex emotions that the speaker is experiencing. She describes the lover as a “black hole,” suggesting that he is both all-consuming and impossible to understand. This metaphor is particularly effective, as it captures the sense of helplessness and confusion that the speaker feels in the face of her lover’s intensity.
The poem also explores the theme of loss, as the speaker reflects on the end of the relationship. She describes the lover as “a ghost,” suggesting that he is no longer present in her life. This sense of absence is further emphasized by the use of the past tense, as the speaker reflects on what has been lost. The poem ends with the haunting image of the lover “walking away / into the dark,” suggesting that he has disappeared forever.
Overall, “You, Doctor Martin” is a powerful and moving poem that explores the complexities of love and loss. Through her use of vivid imagery, powerful metaphors, and raw emotion, Sexton creates a portrait of a relationship that was both intense and ultimately doomed. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the deepest emotions and experiences of the human heart.
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