'Housewife' by Anne Sexton
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Some women marry houses.
It's another kind of skin; it has a heart,a mouth, a liver and bowel movements.
The walls are permanent and pink.
See how she sits on her knees all day,faithfully washing herself down.
Men enter by force, drawn back like Jonah
into their fleshy mothers.
A woman is her mother.
That's the main thing.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Housewife by Anne Sexton is a powerful poem that explores the life of a housewife and the struggles she faces daily. The poem delves into the monotony of household chores and the lack of recognition that women face for their hard work. It also highlights the societal expectations placed on women to be perfect homemakers, wives, and mothers. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and poetic devices, such as repetition and metaphor, contribute to the overall impact of the poem.
The Life of a Housewife
The poem begins with the line, "Some women marry houses," which sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The use of personification creates an image of women being trapped inside their own homes. The use of the word "houses" instead of "men" emphasizes the idea that women are expected to devote their lives to maintaining the household.
The poem then goes on to describe the daily routine of a housewife. The repetition of the phrase "The hours rise up" emphasizes the monotony of the routine. The use of vivid imagery such as "Breakfast rolls around" and "The milkman comes" creates a sense of realism and familiarity. The speaker's use of the present tense also adds to the sense of routine and repetition.
Sexton also highlights the lack of recognition that housewives receive for their hard work. The line "No one to hear the clatter of the dry beans" emphasizes the solitude of the housewife's life. The use of the word "clatter" creates an image of the housewife working hard, but no one noticing or caring. This lack of recognition can lead to feelings of isolation and worthlessness.
Societal Expectations
The poem also explores the societal expectations placed on women to be perfect homemakers, wives, and mothers. The line "Some women marry priests" highlights the pressure on women to conform to traditional gender roles. The use of the word "priests" adds a religious connotation, emphasizing the idea that women are expected to be pure and virtuous.
Sexton also uses metaphor to explore these societal expectations. The line "Some women marry prisoners" creates an image of women being trapped in their own homes, unable to escape the expectations placed on them. The use of the word "prisoners" adds a sense of confinement and restriction.
The Impact of Housewife
Housewife is a powerful poem that explores the struggles of women in the 1950s and 1960s. The poem's use of vivid imagery and poetic devices, such as repetition and metaphor, contribute to the overall impact of the piece.
The poem resonates with readers today as well, as the expectations placed on women continue to be a relevant issue. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing the hard work of women, both in the home and in the workplace.
Conclusion
Overall, Housewife by Anne Sexton is a powerful poem that explores the struggles of women in the 1950s and 1960s. The poem's use of vivid imagery and poetic devices, such as repetition and metaphor, contribute to the overall impact of the piece. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing the hard work of women, both in the home and in the workplace. As a reader, I found Housewife to be a thought-provoking and impactful poem that continues to resonate today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Housewife: An Analysis of Anne Sexton's Classic Poem
Anne Sexton's Poetry Housewife is a classic poem that has been widely studied and analyzed by literary scholars and enthusiasts alike. This poem is a powerful representation of the struggles and challenges faced by women in the 1950s and 60s, particularly those who were expected to conform to traditional gender roles and societal expectations.
In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Poetry Housewife, and how they contribute to the overall meaning and message of the poem.
Themes
One of the main themes of Poetry Housewife is the idea of confinement and restriction. The speaker of the poem is a housewife who is trapped in her domestic duties and responsibilities. She is expected to cook, clean, and take care of her family, with little time or opportunity for personal fulfillment or creative expression.
The poem also explores the theme of identity and self-discovery. The speaker of the poem is struggling to find her place in the world and to define herself beyond her role as a housewife. She longs to break free from the constraints of her domestic life and to pursue her passion for poetry.
Imagery
Sexton uses vivid and powerful imagery throughout the poem to convey the speaker's feelings of confinement and frustration. For example, in the opening lines of the poem, the speaker describes herself as "a pot of tea, / the mother of two, / a reformed alcoholic." This imagery suggests that the speaker is seen as nothing more than a domestic object, a vessel for others to use and consume.
The poem also uses imagery of nature to convey the speaker's desire for freedom and self-expression. For example, the speaker describes herself as a "wild thing" and a "bird on fire," suggesting a longing to break free from the confines of her domestic life and to soar into the unknown.
Language
Sexton's use of language in Poetry Housewife is both powerful and evocative. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives the language a sense of freedom and spontaneity.
The language is also highly metaphorical, with the speaker using a range of metaphors and similes to convey her feelings and experiences. For example, she describes herself as a "housewife poet, / like a caged bird / yearning for the sky," which captures the sense of confinement and longing that permeates the poem.
The language is also highly emotive, with the speaker using strong and vivid language to convey her frustration and anger. For example, she describes her domestic life as a "dull, gray, drizzly / November" and her husband as a "beast" who "eats meat / and leaves the bones / like a message."
Overall Message
The overall message of Poetry Housewife is one of empowerment and self-discovery. The speaker of the poem is struggling to find her place in the world and to define herself beyond her role as a housewife. However, she refuses to be confined by societal expectations and instead chooses to pursue her passion for poetry.
The poem is a powerful reminder that women have the right to pursue their dreams and passions, regardless of societal expectations or gender roles. It is a call to action for women to break free from the constraints of their domestic lives and to embrace their true selves.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry Housewife is a classic poem that explores the themes of confinement, identity, and self-discovery. Sexton's use of vivid imagery and emotive language creates a powerful and evocative portrait of a woman struggling to find her place in the world.
The poem is a powerful reminder that women have the right to pursue their dreams and passions, and that they should not be confined by societal expectations or gender roles. It is a call to action for women to break free from the constraints of their domestic lives and to embrace their true selves.
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