Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "Speaking Bitterness" is a visceral exploration of resentment, isolation, and the bitterness that stems from a life lived on the fringes of fulfillment. Through the voice of a speaker who reflects on a life marked by physical deformity, unrequited love, and societal alienation, Sexton crafts a narrative that is as raw as it is poignant, delving deep into the psyche of a woman who has been denied the joys and connections that many take for granted.

The speaker, born "like a dwarf in eighteen ninety-four," is immediately cast as an outsider, someone whose physical appearance and circumstances have set her apart from the very beginning. The use of the word "dwarf" here is significant, not only because it denotes a physical condition but also because it symbolizes the speaker’s perception of herself as stunted, both physically and emotionally. The image of being "stuffed in my pram / in Louisburg Square" evokes a sense of confinement, of being trapped in a body and a life that offers little room for growth or freedom.

As the speaker recounts her childhood experiences, such as trips to Squirrel Island, the tone is tinged with both nostalgia and bitterness. The idyllic setting of "Squirrel Island" is contrasted with the reality of the speaker's isolation, as she remembers "dinners sulked and no one ever swam," and a cook who "would vomit over the rail." These images suggest a life of privilege, yet one that is marred by discontent and physical limitations. The mention of "Infantile"—likely a reference to polio—striking when she was eight, further solidifies her position as an outcast, a "crippled one" whose life has been irrevocably altered by disease.

The speaker’s bitterness is most apparent in her reflections on love and relationships. The memory of a doctor who once "kissed my withered limbs / and said he’d leave his wife and run / away with me" is laden with irony and scorn. The fleeting promise of love, quickly dashed when the doctor "moved his practice to Washington," leaves the speaker embittered and mistrustful of men. Her declaration that "Not one man is forgiven! East, West, North, South!" underscores the depth of her resentment, suggesting that her experiences with men have only served to reinforce her feelings of inadequacy and rejection.

The poem also touches on themes of gender and societal expectations. The speaker’s lament, "Mother, to be well-born is another curse," highlights the double-edged sword of privilege. Despite her affluent background, the speaker finds herself "humping around greater Boston in a God-awful hat," a figure of ridicule and pity, disconnected from the world around her. The bitterness she feels towards men, dogs, and Democrats reflects a broader disillusionment with the society that has failed to provide her with the love, respect, and fulfillment she craves.

In the final stanzas, the speaker’s anger and resentment reach a climax as she curses "the seed of my father that put me here." This line encapsulates her sense of futility and despair, as she contemplates a life that will end with "no one to say: Oh No! / Oh dear." The imagery of "Christ rots in my mouth" serves as a stark metaphor for the decay of faith and hope, the final erosion of any belief in redemption or meaning.

"Speaking Bitterness" is a powerful meditation on the corrosive effects of a life lived in the shadows of unfulfilled desire and societal rejection. Through the voice of her speaker, Sexton captures the profound sense of isolation and resentment that can arise from being denied the basic human experiences of love, connection, and acceptance. The poem is a testament to the enduring pain of those who are marginalized, and the bitterness that can take root when life’s promises go unfulfilled.

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