ASSIGNMENT:
Step 1. Read either a complete collection of stories or poems, or a full-length work by the author;
Step 2. Read a biography of the author; and Read reviews of the work by other scholars.(These can be found via the library's databases)
Step 3. Begin your paper with an introduction about your author, the work you've chosen, and the overall opinion of the author's approach to literature.
Step 4. Introduce the author through his/ her biography.
Step 5. Discuss the work you've chosen and the reviews of other scholarly professionals about the work
Step 6. Discuss your personal thoughts on the work.
Step 7. Conclude
American poet Anne Sexton, or her real name Anne Gray Harvey, was born in Newton, Massachusetts, on November 9, 1928. Her writing was known for being authentic. Sexton's life was filled with struggles which had a big impact on the works that she created. Her works often dealt with mental health issues she experienced herself. Sexton addresses difficult topics in his poems, including mental disorders, parenthood, and the complexity of relationships with others.
What is started?
Discuss your personal thoughts on the work.
The written works of Anne Sexton is an evaluation of the human mind that exposes the details that define human experience. Her work has a natural confessional technique, which involves revealing very personal and often distressing aspects of her own life. Sexton's poetry collection "Live or Die," to which she was awarded the 1967 Pulitzer Prize for Poetry, is one of her most recognized compositions. Like a lot of her writing, this book shows her ability to capture deep feelings in words that are sad and compelling.
For me, Sexton's writing represents a bold sensing of the self. Her poems have a power because she has courage to express the deepest secrets of her mind. Despite challenges in her life, she was able to use them as inspiration, which testifies the changing potential of reading.
"Live or Die," Anne Sexton's 1966 poetry collection, is a moving examination of her experiences and battles with mental illness. Readers are given an intimate depiction of the deepest recesses of Sexton's mind through this chronologically arranged collection, which documents her breakdown and eventual recovery (Madden, 2020).
"Live or Die" has been praised by academics for its visceral imagery and unvarnished honesty. Certain poems, like "Wanting to Die" and "Little Girl, My String Bean, My Lovely Woman," are singled out by critics like Madden (2020) for their emotional depth and the poet's unmistakable vulnerability. These and other poems in the collection demonstrate Sexton's capacity to express intense feelings and tackle taboo subjects with unabashed honesty (Sexton, 1966; Wagner-Martin, 2001).
Nonetheless, there is some disagreement over the critical reception. The explicit discussions of difficult subjects and graphic content disturb certain readers (Madden, 2020). This contrast between the positive and negative reviews highlights how divisive Sexton's art is due to its raw depiction of darkness, which stirs up a wide range of emotions.
"Live or Die" has great literary and historical significance despite the controversy surrounding it. Sexton's status as a significant literary figure was cemented when she won the Pulitzer Prize in 1967 (Sexton, 1966). The debate over the collection among critics captures the nuanced nature of Sexton's influence on the canon of literature, highlighting the persistent conflict between respect for her capacity for transformation and disquiet over the harsh truths she reveals (Middlebrook, 2005).
This discussion of "Live or Die" and its critical reception highlights Anne Sexton's enormous influence on the confessional poetry genre. Her fearless and unapologetic approach to self-expression pushed boundaries and challenged social norms.
Conclude:
In conclusion, Anne Sexton has made an impact on American literature, especially with her honest poetry. Her life story serves as a reminder of the relationship that exists between artistic expression and human experience. Despite its challenges, Sexton's written literature never fails to resonate with readers and encourage them to take on with the nuances of life.