Anne Sexton Influence to American Literature

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to a Special Person”). This line can lead a reader to believe that the poem was written for one of Sextons former love affairs. Falling in love with another while being wed is often unintended and Sexton is implying that faith essentially overpowers doubt.

Despite his abusive mother and the pain he endures, Tommy’s tolerant affection in “Red Roses” reveals a strong bond between the two. Using soft words to replace cruel actions, Sexton creates a pleasant environment for her young character. Tommy is said to be three years old and when he’s bad, his mother dances with him by throwing him across the room. Sexton continues by describing the different ways that his mother abuses him. “He gets red roses in different places, the head, that time he was as sleepy as a river, the back, that time he was a broken scarecrow, the arm like a diamond had bitten it, the leg, twisted like a licorice stick, all the dance they did together.” (“Red Roses”)

Abuse to the point of hospitalization is seen when Sexton describes the lies that Tommy carefully recites to the doctors and nurses, “I fell, is all he told the doctors in the big hospital. A nice lady came and asked him questions but because he didn’t want to be sent away he said, I fell.” The fear of losing his mother is so strong that in young Tommy’s mind the line between punishment and abuse is nonexistent, and therefore views his mother as innocent. Although written in third person, it is clear that Tommy will continue to invent excuses to play the game and dance with the woman he adores. The short second stanza proves he wishes nothing but to please his mother. “He pretends he is her ball. He tries to fold up and bounce but he squashes like fruit.” (“Red Roses”).

Child abuse was common among households throughout America. “Red Roses” relates to the abuse most readers were either given as a child or currently giving their own children. The writing technique of using soft words once again deems as popular with the nation. Perhaps parents felt the need to relate to the abuse without feeling guilty. Nonetheless, Sextons use of soft words to describe hard actions changed Americans perspective.

“Again and Again and Again” is often interpreted as Sexton reflecting her bi-polar disorder. The title itself connotates meaning for a burden that continues to return. Figuratively meaning that no matter how hard one tries, it comes back again and again. A less common analysis of this poem relates to menstruation. “Lust has taken plant in it and I have placed you and your child at its milk tip.” (“Again and Again and Again”). Often this is interpreted as the female reproductive system and its wonders. Sexton wrote about the female body, although very unlikely for her time. “End, Middle, Beginning” is a poem about abortion and the tragic cycle of the girls growth. The girl in “End, Middle, Beginning” lives a tragic existence, unwanted from the start and trapped into nothingness by a man’s love. Sexton made the experience of being a woman a central issue in her poetry, and though she endured criticism for bringing subjects such as menstruation and abortion, her skill as a poet transcended the controversy over her subject matter.

“Despair” starts the first line by asking “Who is he?” Following the broad question, Sexton lists negative possibilities such as; “a railroad track towards hell” or “the love that goes down the drain like spit”. Despair is personified in many ways, and talked of as being huge and unignorable. Throughout much of Sextons career, she wrote about men and the dire need to escape from their control. “Despair” gives its readers, especially female, more insight on the unnecessary ruling of men. Sexton doesn’t seem to care what society thinks of her. She celebrates her difference and her “unnatural” ability in conforming to the world’s view of women. If we live our lives as we see fit, in spite of the backlash we may receive from others, then we live and die with pride. There is nothing noble in conforming. This feminist outlook was influenced by the feminist movement acts happening in America at the time.

American literature serves as a mean to examine a society’s ideas, and dreams by dealing with specifically American circumstances. Sexton greatly influenced not only many poets but the nation as a whole. She is an influential poet not only because of her courage in dealing with previously forbidden subjects, but because she can make the language sing. Sexton obtained something more subtle than the ability to write formal poems. There are many poets of great talent who never take that talent anywhere because of their mundane writings. Sexton having been at the top of her form, writes a poem which no one else could have written.