Anne Sexton
What important historical events happened during the time period in which Sexton wrote her poetry?
Nov 22, 1963: JFK assassinated in Dallas by Lee Harvey Oswald, wrote most of her poetry w/in the 2nd wave of feminism, 1st man on the moon in 1968
How was Sexton educated?
1 year at Garland Junior College but left for Boston's Hart Agency (to model)
When did Sexton write most of her poetry?
1960's
What happened after her second daughter was born?
2nd breakdown, 2nd time hospitalized, attempted suicide on her birthday in 1955, admitted to neuropsychiatric hospital
Who was a part of Anne's family as an adult?
Alfred Muller Sexton II (husband) and two daughters
When and for what did Sexton win the Pulitzer Prize?
Live or Die 1967
Where was Anne Sexton born and when is her birthday?
Newton, Mass. on November 9, 1928
How did Anne commit suicide?
carbon monoxide poisoning in 1974 @ age 46—locked self in garage and started the car
What was Sexton's childhood like?
comfy but sad, difficult relation with parents, probably abused
What happened after her first daughter was born?
diagnosed w/postpartum depression, 1st mental breakdown, admitted to Westwood Lodge ("asylum")
How does Sexton fit the confessional poetry mold?
her poetry was personal in the beginning but became less so over time, incorporated personal mental illness experiences & had feminist tones, poems all focused on private life—suicide and abuse, used poetic devices to unify her poems and make them comparable to each other, her dark tone coincided with dark subject matter
In what volume did Sexton publish poems about her psychiatric problems?
in her 1st book To Bedlam and Part Way Back in 1960
What was unique about the confessional poetry movement?
involved feelings/experiences, personal/subjective, private experiences & death/trauma/depression/relationships were discussed but had not been spoken of b4 in society or poetry
What themes did Sexton include in her writing that she took from her own life?
strength, depression, hope, courage, downfalls, loss of hope
What era did Sexton write in?
the confessional poetry movement