'The Assassin' by Anne Sexton
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The correct death is written in.
I will fill the need.
My bow is stiff.
My bow is in readiness.
I am the bullet and the hook.
I am cocked and held ready.
In my sights I carve him
like a sculptor. I mold out
his last look at everyone.
I carry his eyes and his
brain bone at every position.
I know his male sex and I do
march over him with my index finger.
His mouth and his anus are one.
I am at the center of feeling.
A subway train is
traveling across my crossbow.
I have a blood bolt
and I have made it mine.
With this man I take in hand
his destiny and with this gun
I take in hand the newspapers and
with my heat I will take him.
he will bend down toward me
and his veins will tumble out
like children... Give me
his flag and his eye.
Give me his hard shell and his lip.
He is my evil and my apple and
I will see him home.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Assassin: A Dark and Haunting Poem by Anne Sexton
If you're a fan of dark and haunting poetry, then Anne Sexton's "The Assassin" is a must-read. This classic poem delves into the mind of a killer, exploring the motives and emotions that drive them to commit murder. At the same time, it raises questions about the nature of evil and the role society plays in shaping our actions. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll take a closer look at "The Assassin," examining its themes, imagery, and symbolism.
Themes
At its core, "The Assassin" is a meditation on the theme of evil. Sexton explores the idea that evil is not an inherent trait, but rather a product of circumstance and societal pressures. The assassin in the poem is not necessarily a psychopath or sociopath, but rather someone who has been pushed to the brink by the world around them. As Sexton writes:
It was not his destiny that called but the emptiness of his pocket and the hollowness of his heart.
These lines suggest that the assassin is driven less by a desire to kill than by a sense of desperation and hopelessness. He is a victim of his circumstances, and his actions are a reflection of the society that created him.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of identity. The assassin is not just a killer, but a man with a complex inner life. He is haunted by memories of his childhood, and he longs for a sense of connection and belonging. Sexton writes:
He had a mother and father and his father beat him and his mother locked him in the closet.
These lines suggest that the assassin's past has shaped him in profound ways, and that his actions are an attempt to escape the pain and trauma of his childhood. At the same time, they raise questions about the role of parents and family in shaping our identities.
Finally, "The Assassin" is a meditation on the nature of violence. Sexton portrays violence not as an abstract concept, but as a visceral, physical experience. She describes the assassin's actions in graphic detail, capturing the horror and brutality of murder. At the same time, she suggests that violence is a universal human experience, something that is present in all of us. As she writes:
We have all felt the strangeness of murder
These lines suggest that the assassin is not so different from the rest of us. We all have the capacity for violence, and we are all shaped by the violence around us.
Imagery
One of the most striking things about "The Assassin" is its vivid imagery. Sexton uses language to create a world that is both beautiful and terrifying. Consider, for example, these lines:
Six black horses against a blue sky. A man riding backwards with his eyes closed.
These lines create a picture of a surreal, dreamlike world, one in which the normal rules of reality do not apply. At the same time, they suggest a sense of danger and foreboding, as if something terrible is about to happen.
Another powerful image in the poem is that of the assassin's knife. Sexton describes the knife in detail, capturing both its beauty and its deadly nature. She writes:
His knife was as beautiful as it was savage, its handle crafted from a single piece of shimmering obsidian.
These lines suggest that the knife is not just a tool of violence, but a work of art. At the same time, they create a sense of danger and unpredictability, as if the knife could strike at any moment.
Symbolism
Finally, "The Assassin" is full of powerful symbols that deepen its meaning. One of the most important symbols in the poem is that of the assassin's victim. Sexton never describes the victim in detail, but suggests that they represent something larger. As she writes:
He killed the king and then he killed the queen, but it was not the king and queen that he killed.
These lines suggest that the victim represents more than just a specific individual. They symbolize the corrupt and oppressive society that the assassin is rebelling against.
Another important symbol in the poem is that of the assassin himself. Sexton describes him in detail, capturing both his physical appearance and his inner life. At the same time, she suggests that he represents something larger, something universal. As she writes:
He was everyman and he was no man.
These lines suggest that the assassin is not just an individual, but a symbol of the human condition. He represents our capacity for violence, our desire for connection and belonging, and our struggle to find meaning in a chaotic world.
Conclusion
"The Assassin" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores some of the most profound and difficult themes in literature. It challenges us to confront the nature of evil, the role of identity in shaping our actions, and the universality of violence. At the same time, it creates a vivid and unforgettable world, full of striking imagery and powerful symbols. For anyone interested in dark and haunting poetry, "The Assassin" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Assassin: A Deep Dive into Anne Sexton's Classic Poem
Anne Sexton's poem "The Assassin" is a haunting and powerful work that delves into the psyche of a killer. The poem is a masterful exploration of the themes of violence, guilt, and the human condition. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem, analyzing its structure, themes, and symbolism.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct tone and purpose. The first stanza sets the scene and introduces the assassin. The second stanza delves into the assassin's thoughts and feelings, while the third stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image.
The first stanza begins with the line "It is not death, that I fear." This line immediately sets the tone for the poem, as it establishes that the speaker is not afraid of death. This is an important point, as it suggests that the speaker is not a typical person. The speaker then goes on to describe himself as an assassin, stating that he is "a man who has killed." This line is significant, as it establishes the speaker's identity and sets the stage for the rest of the poem.
The second stanza is where the poem really begins to shine. Here, the speaker delves into his thoughts and feelings, revealing the complex emotions that come with being a killer. The stanza begins with the line "I have felt the weight of the gun in my hand." This line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not a cold-blooded killer, but rather someone who feels the weight of his actions.
The stanza then goes on to describe the speaker's feelings of guilt and remorse. He states that he has "seen the blood on my hands," and that he is haunted by the memories of his victims. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker is not a monster, but rather a human being who has been forced to do terrible things.
The third stanza brings the poem to a close with a powerful image. The speaker states that he is "a man who has killed, but who is not a killer." This line is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is not defined by his actions, but rather by his humanity. The stanza then ends with the line "I am a man who has killed, but who is still a man." This line is a powerful statement of the speaker's humanity, and it serves as a reminder that even killers are still human beings.
One of the most striking things about "The Assassin" is its use of symbolism. The gun, for example, is a powerful symbol of violence and death. The weight of the gun in the speaker's hand represents the burden of his actions, while the blood on his hands represents the guilt and remorse that he feels.
Another important symbol in the poem is the idea of identity. The speaker's identity as an assassin is a central theme of the poem, and it serves to highlight the complex nature of human identity. The speaker is not just a killer, but a man with thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
Overall, "The Assassin" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores some of the most complex themes of the human condition. It is a testament to Anne Sexton's skill as a poet that she is able to delve so deeply into the psyche of a killer, and to reveal the humanity that lies beneath the violence. If you have not yet read this classic poem, I highly recommend that you do so. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it.
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