Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's "Courage" is a poignant and reflective meditation on the nature of bravery, revealing how it manifests not in grand gestures, but in the small, often overlooked moments of everyday life. The poem traces the trajectory of human experience, from childhood through to old age, emphasizing that true courage is found in the quiet, private battles we face within ourselves.

The poem opens with the idea that "It is in the small things we see it," immediately establishing that courage is not always dramatic or visible. Sexton begins with the image of a child's first step, which she describes as "as awesome as an earthquake." This comparison elevates a seemingly simple action to the level of a monumental event, capturing the profound significance of this first act of independence and the courage it requires. The mention of "the first spanking" and "the first time you rode a bike" further illustrates how courage is interwoven with the ordinary challenges of growing up, where each new experience demands bravery, even when it is accompanied by fear or pain.

Sexton then delves into the more emotional aspects of childhood, where courage is required to withstand the cruelty of others. The lines "When they called you crybaby / or poor or fatty or crazy / and made you into an alien," depict the harshness of social alienation, where the child's response is to "drink their acid / and conceal it." Here, courage is not about fighting back but about enduring and containing the pain inflicted by others, silently and inwardly.

As the poem progresses, Sexton moves into the realm of adulthood, where courage takes on different forms. The image of facing "the death of bombs and bullets" suggests a wartime experience, yet even in such dire circumstances, courage is portrayed not as a public act of heroism, but as a private, understated resilience: "You did it with only a hat to / cover your heart." The "small coal" of courage that the speaker "kept swallowing" symbolizes a persistent, enduring bravery that is internalized and sustained through quiet fortitude. This metaphor powerfully conveys the idea that courage is not something that blazes outwardly but rather something that burns steadily within, feeding the will to survive and persist.

Sexton also addresses the experience of loss and the courage required to face profound grief. The act of "picking the scabs off your heart" and "wringing it out like a sock" evokes the painful process of healing from despair, where one must confront and endure deep emotional wounds. The image of giving sorrow "a back rub" and covering it with a blanket suggests a nurturing, almost tender approach to one’s own pain, as if to comfort and soothe oneself until the sorrow is transformed. The eventual awakening of sorrow "to the wings of the roses" speaks to the possibility of renewal and the transformation of grief into something beautiful and life-affirming.

In the final stanza, Sexton contemplates the courage required to face old age and the inevitability of death. She suggests that even in the face of mortality, courage will continue to be demonstrated "in the little ways." The metaphor of each spring being "a sword you'll sharpen" implies a determination to remain vibrant and engaged with life, even as one grows older. The idea that "those you love will live in a fever of love" suggests that courage in old age involves a deep, passionate commitment to life and relationships, despite the approach of death.

The poem concludes with a striking image of death as "the back door" opening, and the speaker "strid[ing] out" in carpet slippers—a symbol of comfort and familiarity. This image conveys a serene acceptance of death, where courage is found in the quiet, dignified manner in which one faces the end of life.

"Courage" is a profound exploration of the quiet, often unrecognized bravery that permeates human life. Through her vivid imagery and tender, empathetic tone, Sexton reminds us that true courage is not found in grandiose acts or public displays, but in the small, personal moments of endurance, resilience, and love that define our everyday existence. The poem celebrates the strength required to face life's inevitable challenges and losses with grace and dignity, offering a powerful affirmation of the human spirit.

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