'Going Gone' by Anne Sexton
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Over stone walls and barns,
miles from the black-eyed Susans,
over circus tents and moon rockets
you are going, going.
You who have inhabited me
in the deepest and most broken place,
are going, going.
An old woman calls up to you
from her deathbed deep in sores,
asking, "What do you keep of her?"
She is the crone in the fables.
She is the fool at the supper
and you, sir, are the traveler.
Although you are in a hurry
you stop to open a small basket
and under layers of petticoats
you show her the tiger-striped eyes
that you have lately plucked,
you show her specialty, the lips,
those two small bundles,
you show her the two hands
that grip her fiercely,
one being mine, one being yours.
Torn right off at the wrist bone
when you started in your
impossible going, gone.
Then you place the basket
in the old woman's hollow lap
and as a last act she fondles
these artifacts like a child's head
and murmurs, "Precious. Precious."
And you are glad you have given
them to this one for she too
is making a trip.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
Going Gone by Anne Sexton: A Deep Dive into the Depths of Loss
Anne Sexton, the Pulitzer prize-winning American poet, has left an indelible mark on the world of poetry with her unique style, themes, and motifs. Her poems are famous for their raw honesty, dark humor, and unflinching exploration of taboo subjects such as mental illness, suicide, and sexuality. In Going Gone, one of Sexton's most powerful poems, she delves into the theme of loss, exploring the devastating effects of separation and death on the human psyche. In this literary criticism and interpretation of Going Gone, we will explore the key themes, symbols, and metaphors used by Sexton and analyze how they contribute to the overall meaning and impact of the poem.
The Poem
Before we dive into the interpretation of the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:
In my world
too many die
or are lost
or the ones we
cherish most
are gone.
I am not a new man
I am not the girl
I wanted to be
still the hesitant
hand trembles.
I lift the phone
and put it down.
I will call no one.
I am not a brave man
I am not a brave girl
I am not the girl
I wanted to be.
I am sorry for
all the words
not said
all the love
not given
all the death sentences
not handed down.
I am sorry for
the pain of others
but I cannot make
a life for myself
out of their pain.
I am not a brave man
I am not a brave girl
I am not the girl
I wanted to be
going
going
gone.
Key Themes
Going Gone is a deeply introspective and melancholic poem that explores the theme of loss in various forms. Sexton begins the poem with the lines "In my world too many die or are lost or the ones we cherish most are gone." These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing loss as the central theme. The poem is a meditation on the different ways in which we experience loss - through death, separation, unfulfilled desires, and missed opportunities.
Another key theme in the poem is that of regret. Sexton expresses regret for the things she has not done - the words she has not said, the love she has not given, and the death sentences she has not handed down. The repetition of the phrase "I am sorry for" emphasizes the speaker's remorse and highlights the weight of the things left unsaid and undone.
The poem also touches on the theme of identity, as the speaker laments that she is not the person she had hoped to be. The lines "I am not a new man/I am not the girl/I wanted to be" reveal a sense of disillusionment and disappointment with oneself. The repetition of the phrase "I am not a brave man/I am not a brave girl" further reinforces this idea of a lack of courage and agency.
Symbolism and Metaphor
Sexton employs several symbols and metaphors in Going Gone to convey her themes and ideas. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is that of the phone. The speaker lifts the phone and puts it down repeatedly, unable to make the call she knows she should. The phone represents the speaker's desire to connect with others and the fear of rejection and disappointment that holds her back. The phone also symbolizes the missed opportunities for communication and connection that contribute to the sense of loss in the poem.
The repetition of the phrase "going/going/gone" is another powerful symbol in the poem. It represents the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of loss. The repeated use of the word "gone" creates a sense of finality and reinforces the theme of regret and missed opportunities.
The metaphor of the hesitant hand that trembles adds to the sense of unease and uncertainty in the poem. The hand represents the speaker's hesitation and lack of agency, while the trembling suggests a sense of fear and anxiety.
Interpretation
Going Gone is a deeply personal and introspective poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and regret. Through the speaker's reflections on the things left unsaid and undone, Sexton invites us to consider our own lives and the ways in which we have failed to connect with others and fulfill our potential.
The theme of loss in the poem is not limited to death, but encompasses all forms of separation and missed opportunities. The repeated use of the word "gone" emphasizes the finality and irreversibility of these losses, highlighting the importance of seizing the moment and making the most of our time with others.
Sexton's use of the phone as a symbol of connection and communication underscores the importance of reaching out to others and the fear and anxiety that can hold us back. The metaphor of the hesitant hand that trembles reveals the speaker's reluctance and lack of agency, suggesting that fear and uncertainty are major obstacles to connection and communication.
The theme of regret in the poem is palpable, as the speaker laments the things left unsaid and undone. The repetition of the phrase "I am sorry for" highlights the weight of these regrets and emphasizes the importance of living fully in the present rather than looking back with remorse.
Finally, the theme of identity in the poem suggests a sense of dissatisfaction and disappointment with oneself. The lines "I am not the girl I wanted to be" reveal a sense of unfulfilled potential and a desire for something more. This theme of identity suggests that loss is not just external, but internal as well, as we grapple with the gap between who we are and who we want to be.
Conclusion
Going Gone is a powerful and introspective poem that speaks to the universal experience of loss and regret. Through the speaker's reflections on missed opportunities and unfulfilled potential, Sexton invites us to consider our own lives and the ways in which we can make the most of our time with others. The theme of loss in the poem is not limited to death, but encompasses all forms of separation and missed opportunities, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life and the importance of connection and communication. Sexton's use of symbolism and metaphor adds depth and complexity to the poem, highlighting the fear, anxiety, and reluctance that can hold us back from achieving our full potential. Overall, Going Gone is a haunting and beautiful exploration of the human condition, revealing the depths of our loss and the importance of living fully in the present.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Going Gone: A Poem of Loss and Transformation
Anne Sexton’s poem “Going Gone” is a powerful exploration of the themes of loss and transformation. Through vivid imagery and evocative language, Sexton takes the reader on a journey through the stages of grief, from denial and anger to acceptance and renewal. In this analysis, we will examine the key elements of the poem, including its structure, imagery, and symbolism, and explore how they contribute to its overall meaning and impact.
Structure and Form
“Going Gone” is a free verse poem consisting of twenty-six lines divided into four stanzas of varying lengths. The lack of a strict rhyme scheme or meter gives the poem a sense of fluidity and spontaneity, reflecting the unpredictable nature of the emotions it explores. However, the poem is not entirely formless; Sexton employs a number of structural devices to create a sense of progression and movement.
The first stanza sets the scene, describing the speaker’s initial reaction to the loss. The second stanza introduces a series of images that suggest the speaker’s growing anger and frustration. The third stanza shifts the focus to the natural world, using imagery of the changing seasons to convey a sense of acceptance and renewal. Finally, the fourth stanza brings the poem full circle, returning to the image of the speaker’s empty house and suggesting that the process of transformation is ongoing.
Imagery and Symbolism
One of the most striking features of “Going Gone” is its use of vivid and often surreal imagery. From the “empty house” that opens the poem to the “blackened moon” that closes it, Sexton creates a series of powerful visual metaphors that convey the speaker’s emotional state. The use of color is particularly effective; the “red rage” of the second stanza contrasts sharply with the “green of spring” in the third, while the “gray of winter” in the final stanza suggests a sense of melancholy and uncertainty.
Another important element of the poem is its use of symbolism. The image of the “empty house” recurs throughout the poem, serving as a metaphor for the speaker’s sense of loss and disorientation. The “blackened moon” in the final stanza suggests a sense of finality and closure, while the “green of spring” represents the possibility of renewal and growth. The use of natural imagery, such as the “frosty breath” of the second stanza and the “blossom” of the third, reinforces the idea that the process of transformation is part of a larger cycle of life and death.
Themes and Meaning
At its core, “Going Gone” is a poem about the process of grief and the transformative power of loss. The speaker’s initial reaction is one of denial and disbelief; she cannot believe that the person she has lost is really gone. As the poem progresses, however, her emotions become more intense and complex. She experiences anger and frustration, railing against the unfairness of the situation and the sense of injustice she feels. Yet even as she struggles with these emotions, she begins to find a sense of acceptance and renewal. The changing seasons serve as a metaphor for the process of transformation, suggesting that even in the midst of loss, there is the possibility of growth and renewal.
Ultimately, “Going Gone” is a poem about the power of transformation. It suggests that even in the face of loss and grief, there is the possibility of renewal and growth. By embracing the process of transformation, the speaker is able to move beyond her initial sense of loss and find a sense of acceptance and peace. In this way, the poem offers a powerful message of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the darkest of times, there is always the possibility of light.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Going Gone” is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of loss and transformation. Through its vivid imagery, powerful symbolism, and fluid structure, the poem takes the reader on a journey through the stages of grief, from denial and anger to acceptance and renewal. Ultimately, the poem offers a message of hope and resilience, reminding us that even in the face of loss, there is always the possibility of growth and transformation.
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