Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph" is a celebration of ambition, risk, and the pursuit of greatness, framed through the myth of Icarus. Sexton uses the story of Icarus not as a cautionary tale about hubris and failure, but rather as an ode to the exhilarating and triumphant moment when one dares to reach beyond the ordinary, even if it leads to downfall. The poem serves as a tribute to those who push boundaries and strive for something extraordinary, regardless of the consequences.

The poem opens with a direct invitation: "Consider Icarus, pasting those sticky wings on," immediately drawing the reader into the mythological narrative. Icarus, the son of Daedalus, is famous for flying too close to the sun with wings made of feathers and wax, which ultimately led to his tragic fall into the sea. However, Sexton shifts the focus from the tragic end to the moment of ascent, when Icarus first tests his wings. The phrase "testing that strange little tug at his shoulder blade" captures the tentative, yet thrilling sensation of taking flight for the first time, as if the wings are both an extension of his body and a foreign, magical apparatus.

Sexton asks the reader to "think of that first flawless moment over the lawn / of the labyrinth," directing attention to the sheer wonder and perfection of Icarus’s initial flight. The "lawn of the labyrinth" refers to the complex maze built by Daedalus, symbolizing the constraints and challenges that Icarus has successfully risen above. This image of flight above the labyrinth suggests freedom from limitations and the joy of overcoming obstacles. Sexton emphasizes "the difference it made," suggesting that this moment of triumph is what truly matters, rather than the eventual fall.

The poem continues to paint the scene from Icarus's perspective: "There below are the trees, as awkward as camels; / and here are the shocked starlings pumping past." The trees, "awkward as camels," are distant and cumbersome from Icarus’s elevated viewpoint, highlighting the contrast between the earthbound and the soaring, the mundane and the extraordinary. The starlings, with their rapid, instinctual flight, are "shocked" by Icarus’s presence, perhaps signifying nature's amazement at human ambition and its ability to transcend natural limits.

Sexton then encourages us to "think of innocent Icarus who is doing quite well: / larger than a sail, over the fog and the blast / of the plushy ocean, he goes." Here, Icarus is described as "innocent," implying that his actions are not driven by arrogance but by a pure, untainted desire to experience the joy of flight. The image of him as "larger than a sail" suggests that, in this moment, Icarus has become something grander and more powerful than mere human limitations would suggest. He is above the "plushy ocean," a soft and inviting sea that contrasts with the harshness of his impending fall, underscoring the surreal beauty of his flight.

Sexton’s admiration for Icarus is palpable: "Admire his wings! / Feel the fire at his neck and see how casually / he glances up and is caught, wondrously tunneling / into that hot eye." The imperative "Admire his wings!" directs the reader to appreciate the ingenuity and daring that went into Icarus’s creation. The "fire at his neck" represents the sun’s heat, the very danger that will lead to his demise, but in this moment, it is also the source of his glory. Icarus’s "casual" glance upwards, where he is "caught" by the sun, suggests a fearless curiosity and a sense of wonder that captivates him, even as it seals his fate.

Sexton poses a rhetorical question: "Who cares that he fell back to the sea?" This line challenges the traditional reading of the myth as a story of failure and punishment for hubris. Instead, Sexton suggests that the fall is irrelevant compared to the magnificence of Icarus’s flight. The poem concludes with Icarus "acclaiming the sun and come plunging down / while his sensible daddy goes straight into town." Daedalus, the "sensible daddy," represents caution and adherence to rules, contrasting sharply with Icarus’s daring defiance. The phrase "goes straight into town" implies that Daedalus, though safe, remains within the confines of the ordinary, while Icarus, despite his fall, has experienced something far greater.

In "To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to Triumph," Anne Sexton reframes the myth of Icarus to celebrate the audacity of reaching for greatness. The poem exalts the moment of triumph, the glory of daring to fly, even if it leads to a fall. Through this reinterpretation, Sexton honors those who push beyond the boundaries of what is safe and expected, and in doing so, she reminds us that the pursuit of one’s dreams and ambitions, however risky, is a triumph in itself.