Anne Sexton

1. Anne Sexton Biography List of Works Presentation by Cody Bickler Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

2. Biography Biography • Anne Sexton-A Journey through an American Literature Poet Wonder • “The joy that isn’t shared dies young” (Thinkexist.com). • This quote by Anne Sexton herself gives a great demonstration on the challenging life she lived. Mary and Ralph gave birth to Anne Sexton, the youngest of three, on November 9, 1928 in Weston, Massachusetts (Uta.edu). Growing up, Anne was always longing for attention. She witnessed her eldest sister become “daddy’s girl”. Her other sister was considered the smart one and was the only one to go to college. Upon turning 17, Sexton was sent to a preparatory school for girls in hopes of turning her into a proper lady. It was here that her life of poetry began. Her mother, coming from a family of writers, accused Sexton of plagiarism. She was unable to believe that her daughter had the ability to write such wonderful poetry (Uta.edu). When she attended the Garland school in Boston, she met Alfred Muller Sexton II or Kayo as he was known. Sexton struggled with depression for many years of her life. In 1956, she had her first attempted suicide, which failed. Her psychiatrist Dr. Martin helped guide her back into a life of poetry. She enrolled in John Holmes poetry workshop. But she again struggled with her depression and made her second attempted suicide in May of 1957, which again failed (English.illinois.edu). Sexton continued to struggle with depression and her place in life until the day she died. • Many of her poems were influenced by her life and the challenges she faced in it. She led a very successful life as far as poetry went. The poem “Live or Die” best shows the influence her life had in her poetry. Through her poetry she used her emotional struggles to share with people through her poems. In 1962 she received the Levinson Prize (English.illinois.edu). She also received the Shelley Memorial Prize in 1967 (English.illinois.edu). To Bedlam and Partway Back led to her being noticed nationally (Uncp.edu). She was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature in London in 1965. In 1966, Live or Die won Sexton the Pulitzer Prize (Uta.edu). All of these awards show the success one can have, even when facing tough emotional times like Sexton experienced. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

3. Biography Biography • With all the success Sexton had, it is a shame that she led such an emotionally stressful life. She could have accomplished much more than what she already had. She finally succeeded in her attempt of suicide on October 4, 1974(Uta.edu). Just one day after her last poetry reading, she went home and committed suicide in her garage by consuming carbon monoxide poisoning (Uta.edu). Sexton felt this was a proper stopping point for her in her life. Her life in poetry had become a great success and she could not handle her difficult personal life any longer. She will be remembered in American literature forever. Her poems were mostly about the pain and suffering life can bring. Many of her poems have touched the hearts of people around the world. Her poems are real and that helps relate them to people’s everyday life. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

4. List of Works Biography • “Cinderella” • “Courage” • “The Abortion” • “Suicide Note” • “Wanting to Die” • “The Addict” • “Red Roses” • “Young” • “My Friend, My Friend” • “Despair” • “After Auschwitz” • “Live or Die” • “To Bedlam and Partway Back” List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

5. Analysis Poem Biography • Later,if you have endured a great despair,then you did it alone,getting a transfusion from the fire,picking the scabs off your heart,then wringing it out like a sock.Next, my kinsman, you powdered your sorrow,you gave it a back ruband then you covered it with a blanketand after it had slept a whileit woke to the wings of the rosesand was transformed.Later,when you face old age and its natural conclusionyour courage will still be shown in the little ways,each spring will be a sword you'll sharpen,those you love will live in a fever of love,and you'll bargain with the calendarand at the last momentwhen death opens the back dooryou'll put on your carpet slippersand stride out. • Courage by Anne Sexton • It is in the small things we see it.The child's first step,as awesome as an earthquake.The first time you rode a bike,wallowing up the sidewalk.The first spanking when your heartwent on a journey all alone.When they called you crybabyor poor or fatty or crazyand made you into an alien,you drank their acidand concealed it.Later,if you faced the death of bombs and bulletsyou did not do it with a banner,you did it with only a hat tocomver your heart.You did not fondle the weakness inside youthough it was there.Your courage was a small coalthat you kept swallowing.If your buddy saved youand died himself in so doing,then his courage was not courage,it was love; love as simple as shaving soap. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

6. Analysis of “Courage” by Anne Sexton Biography • Anne Sexton has a unique yet efficient way of using imagery that relates to the feelings of the reader in her poem “Courage”. Sexton describes courage in the small struggles we overcome in life. In overcoming these struggles, we mature and become better human beings. Her quote “When they called you crybaby/ or poor or fatty or crazy/ and made you into an alien, / you drank their acid/ and concealed it” in my opinion is one of her best descriptions of courage. The way she said “you drank their acid/ and concealed it” was completely unexpected and therefore was a great use of imagery. As the poem continues on, the small struggles turn into large struggles such as war. She feels as if war is a great way to demonstrate ones courage. She uses a friend sacrificing their life in order to save you as the demonstration. This is such a great act of courage that it in turn is not courage, but rather it is love. This love is so natural that it becomes as simple as shaving soap. The poem then continues with the courage being passed along to ones child through the simple love that is shared between them. The conclusion of the poem “Courage” by Anne Sexton explains the courage one has when faced with death. They welcome and accept death to take them with it. Her quote “and at the last moment/ when death opens the back door/ you’ll put on your carpet slippers/ and stride out/” shows the simple manner one can take in with death. They can put on their slippers and stroll out with death as if it is just another ordinary day. This quote is a great source of imagery because she makes dying seem like an event that happens in a person’s everyday life. One can feel satisfied that it is the right time to go and that they have the courage to feel safe that they are going to a better place. Through Sexton’s description, we all can see the courage that occurs in the smallest of ways throughout one’s life and the recurring cycle it becomes through our children. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

7. Intro Poem Biography • Anne Sexton’s poem “Young” talks about the thoughts that run through a young person’s head. This poem can relate to everyone because we all were a young, curious child, overflowing with the ambition to explore and dream. I enjoyed the lines “and I, in my brand new body,/ which was not a woman’s yet,/ told the stars my questions/ and thought God could really see/ the heat and the painted light,/ elbows, knees, dreams, goodnight.” It really showed the many thoughts that enter a child’s mind and the way she ended the poem was as abrupt as a child’s thoughts. • Young by Anne Sexton • A thousand doors agowhen I was a lonely kidin a big house with fourgarages and it was summeras long as I could remember,I lay on the lawn at night,clover wrinkling over me,the wise stars bedding over me,my mother's window a funnelof yellow heat running out,my father's window, half shut,an eye where sleepers pass,and the boards of the housewere smooth and white as waxand probably a million leavessailed on their strange stalksas the crickets ticked togetherand I, in my brand new body,which was not a woman's yet,told the stars my questionsand thought God could really seethe heat and the painted light,elbows, knees, dreams, goodnight. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

8. Intro Poem Biography • Wanting to Die by Anne Sexton • Since you ask, most days I cannot remember.I walk in my clothing, unmarked by that voyage.Then the almost unnamable lust returns.Even then I have nothing against life.I know well the grass blades you mention,the furniture you have placed under the sun.But suicides have a special language.Like carpenters they want to know which tools.They never ask why build.Twice I have so simply declared myself,have possessed the enemy, eaten the enemy,have taken on his craft, his magic.In this way, heavy and thoughtful,warmer than oil or water,I have rested, drooling at the mouth-hole.. • Anne Sexton’s poem “Wanting to Die” relates to the events that have occurred in her life. In the lines “Twice I have so simply declared myself/ have possessed the enemy, eaten the enemy,/ have taken on his craft, his magic” it describes the two previous times in her life that she attempted to commit suicide. I think it is interesting how she can so openly talk about tragic events in her life as if she will never attempt suicide again, when ironically her death is due to suicide. List of Works I did not think of my body at needle point.Even the cornea and the leftover urine were gone.Suicides have already betrayed the body. Still-born, they don't always die,but dazzled, they can't forget a drug so sweetthat even children would look on and smile.To thrust all that life under your tongue!--that, all by itself, becomes a passion.Death's a sad Bone; bruised, you'd say,and yet she waits for me, year after year,to so delicately undo an old wound,to empty my breath from its bad prison.Balanced there, suicides sometimes meet,raging at the fruit, a pumped-up moon,leaving the bread they mistook for a kiss,leaving the page of the book carelessly open,something unsaid, the phone off the hookand the love, whatever it was, an infection. Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

9. Inspired Poems Biography • My Friend, My Friend by Anne Sexton • Who will forgive me for the things I do?With no special legend of God to refer to,With my calm white pedigree, my yankee kin,I think it would be better to be a Jew.I forgive you for what you did not do.I am impossibly guilty. Unlike you,My Friend, I can not blame my originWith no special legend or God to refer to.They wear The Crucifix as they are meant to do.Why do their little crosses trouble you?The effigies that I have made are genuine,(I think it would be better to be a Jew).Watching my mother slowly die I knewMy first release. I wish some ancient bugabooFollowed me. But my sin is always my sin.With no special legend or God to refer to.Who will forgive me for the things I do?To have your reasonable hurt to belong toMight ease my trouble like liquor or aspirin.I think it would be better to be a Jew.And if I lie, I lie because I love you,Because I am bothered by the things I do,Because your hurt invades my calm white skin:With no special legend or God to refer to,I think it would be better to be a Jew. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

10. Inspired Poems Biography • What a Great Friend by Cody Bickler • Who will forgive me for the things I do? • With all the sins I have made • All the lies I have told • And the people I hurt • One person stands above all • As if they have just won a game of King of The Hill • What a great friend • We laugh and play • We push and fight • And won’t talk till night • No matter what is said • Or what is done • I always know there is one person • Who will love and forgive me no matter what things I do • What a great friend List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

11. Inspired Poems Biography • You fell, she said, just remember you fell.I fell, is all he told the doctorsin the big hospital. A nice lady cameand asked him questions but becausehe didn't want to be sent away he said, I fell.He never said anything else although he could talk fine.He never told about the musicor how she'd sing and shoutholding him up and throwing him.He pretends he is her ball.He tries to fold up and bouncebut he squashes like fruit.For he loves Blue Lady and the spotsof red roses he gives her • Red Roses by Anne Sexton • Tommy is three and when he's badhis mother dances with him.She puts on the record,"Red Roses for a Blue Lady"and throws him across the room.Mind you,she never laid a hand on 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,Blue Lady and Tommy. List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

12. Inspired Poems Biography • It happens as fast as a strike of lightning • Bolting from the clouds to the ground • Bam! • Ouch! • What a dreadful love • That keeps this poor beaten child • With this awful man • What a Dreadful Love by Cody Bickler • He didn’t want to be sent away • So he said he tripped • He recalls the real cause • But just simply smiles and shrugs at the lady • She wants to know the origin • Of these large bruises • He knows • But what a dreadful love • That keeps the truth away • He yells • He screams • But that won’t stop it • He cries • He pleads; No not the Belt! • But that won’t stop it List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

13. The Door by Cody Bickler Biography • The rusted brown hinge • Full of the bacteria • From all the different hands placed on it • The fine smooth texture • The aching pain • And purple color • Brought with when you pinch your fingers • Open • Slam! • Closes as abruptly as it opened • As if blown shut by the wind • Who’s that knocking? • What new face will it bring? • Keep the door unlocked • To new beginnings List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

14. Standin’ in the Shoes by Cody Bickler Biography • Crash hit them hardest • You’re shamin’ him Miss • Startin’ off on the wrong foot, my dear • Consider things from his point of view • Boo? • His name’s Arthur • Is he crazy? • Is he dead? • Always spoke nicely to me • No matter what folks said he did • Consider things from his point of view • You weren’t born reading • Try to undo the damage • Somebody did • Your father doesn’t know how to teach • Consider things from his point of view • Did you forget your lunch? • He’s a Cunningham • Here’s a quarter, pay me back tomorrow • He’s a Cunningham • Nome, thank you ma’am • He’s a Cunningham List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

15. Bibliography Biography • http://famouspoetsandpoems.com/poets/anne_sexton/poems • http://www.uta.edu/english/tim/poetry/as/bio1.html • http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/sexton/sexton_life.htm • http://www.poemhunter.com/anne-sexton/biography/ • http://www.uncp.edu/home/canada/work/allam/edit/sexton.htm • http://en.thinkexist.com/quotes/Anne_Sexton/ • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.selectism.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.thatsfloriduh.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.womenlifestyle.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://poemsforever.yolasite.com List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography

16. Bibliography Biography • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.houghtonmifflinbooks.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://photo.goodreads.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://files.myopera.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://farm4.static.flickr.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://wwwdelivery.superstock.com • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.islandvacations.me/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/real_friends-2.gif&imgrefurl=http://www.islandvacations.me • http://tips.webdesign10.com/flowers.html • http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://regswatson.files.wordpress.com List of Works Sample Poems Inspired Poems Original Poems Bibliography