Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"Ringing the Bells" is a poem by Anne Sexton, originally published in her collection of poems titled "The Awful Rowing Toward God" in 1975. The poem is known for its strong religious imagery and themes of mortality and spiritual transformation.

Explanation:

In "Ringing the Bells," Sexton writes from the perspective of a woman who has died and is now in the afterlife. The speaker describes the sensation of being in this new realm, where she hears the sound of bells ringing and sees "angels with yellow stockings" and "the dead / coming back." The speaker marvels at the beauty of this new world and the sense of peace that it brings.

As the poem progresses, the speaker seems to be reflecting on her life and the choices she made. She acknowledges that she was not always kind or generous to others, but she hopes that she can now make amends for her past behavior. The speaker sees this new realm as a place of redemption and healing, where she can finally become the person she always wanted to be.

Poetic Elements:

Form: Free verse poem with no specific rhyme or meter.

Theme: Mortality, spirituality, redemption, transformation.

Imagery: Religious imagery, including angels, bells, and references to the afterlife.

Tone: Reflective, peaceful, hopeful.

Sound: Use of repetition in the phrase "ringing the bells" to create a sense of rhythm.

Language: Use of metaphor and vivid imagery to convey the speaker's experiences and emotions.

Figurative language: The dead coming back is a metaphor for the speaker's sense of transformation and rebirth.

Structure: The poem is divided into stanzas of varying lengths, which creates a sense of movement and progression.

Symbolism: The ringing of the bells symbolizes the speaker's transition to a new state of being.

Emotion: The poem evokes a sense of peacefulness and hopefulness, even in the face of mortality.

Conclusion:

"Ringing the Bells" is a powerful poem that explores themes of mortality and spirituality in a way that is both reflective and hopeful. Through its use of religious imagery and vivid language, the poem captures the speaker's sense of transformation and redemption as she navigates this new realm. Overall, the poem is a testament to Sexton's skill as a poet and her ability to convey complex emotions and experiences through her work.

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