Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s "Beginning the Hegira: The Money Swing" is a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of wealth, youth, and the American Dream, juxtaposed against the backdrop of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s "Babylon Revisited." The poem captures the disillusionment that comes with the passage of time, as well as the inevitable consequences of living a life centered around materialism and superficiality. Through the lens of a snapshot from 1929, Sexton explores the contrasts between past and present, the illusions of prosperity, and the emotional distance between generations.

The poem opens with a direct address to the speaker's parents, "Mother, Father," as they are immortalized in a photograph taken during a time of apparent prosperity and glamour. The specific mention of 1929 is significant, as it marks the year of the infamous stock market crash that heralded the Great Depression. This date sets a historical context, framing the poem within a period of immense wealth that was followed by catastrophic economic collapse. The photograph captures a moment frozen in time, a snapshot of a world on the brink of disaster, yet oblivious to what is about to unfold.

Sexton vividly describes the parents as "so young, so hot, so jazzy," embodying the carefree, hedonistic lifestyle associated with the Roaring Twenties. The comparison to "Zelda and Scott" reinforces this image, linking the parents to the iconic literary couple, Zelda and F. Scott Fitzgerald, who were themselves symbols of the era's excess and eventual decline. The mention of "drinks and cigarettes and turbans" alongside "designer slacks and frizzy permanents" paints a picture of a life steeped in luxury and fashion, but also in artifice. These details evoke a sense of both admiration and critique—admiration for the vivacity of that time, but also a critique of its superficiality and the inevitable consequences of such a lifestyle.

As the speaker reflects on this glamorous image from 1929, she contrasts it with her own reality in 1971. The "sweaty desk" she mentions symbolizes the mundane, laborious life she leads, far removed from the carefree existence of her parents. This contrast underscores the distance between the generations, not just in terms of time, but in values and experiences. The speaker acknowledges the ephemeral nature of her parents' world: "I know the ice in your drink is senile. / I know your smile will develop a boil." These lines suggest the decay and corruption that lie beneath the surface of their youthful exuberance, hinting at the inevitable decline that accompanies the passage of time and the futility of trying to preserve such a fleeting moment.

The metaphor of the "money swing" becomes central to the poem’s exploration of wealth and its illusions. The parents are depicted as "swinging like children on the money swing / up and over, up and over," a repetitive, cyclical motion that mirrors the highs and lows of financial fortune. The swing carries them so high that "even New York City lies down small," suggesting the dizzying heights of their success and the distorted perspective that comes with it. Yet, the image of swinging also implies an eventual fall, an inability to sustain such heights indefinitely.

Sexton further critiques the power of wealth to manipulate reality with the lines, "You know that when winter comes / and the snow comes / that it won't be real snow. / If you don't want it to be snow / you just pay money." Here, wealth is depicted as a tool to alter or deny reality, to create an artificial world where even nature can be bought and controlled. This illusion of control, however, is ultimately hollow, as it is rooted in denial rather than in true power or stability.

In "Beginning the Hegira: The Money Swing," Sexton uses the metaphor of a snapshot and the image of a swing to explore the fleeting nature of wealth and the illusions it creates. The poem reflects on the distance between generations, the disillusionment that comes with the passage of time, and the ultimate emptiness of a life built on materialism. By referencing Fitzgerald’s "Babylon Revisited," Sexton aligns her critique with the broader literary tradition that examines the consequences of the American Dream's pursuit. The poem serves as a reminder that the glittering facade of wealth and youth cannot withstand the relentless march of time, and that the true cost of such a life is often paid in the currency of disillusionment and loss.

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