Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "The Assassin" delves into the complex psyche of a person who embodies both the executioner and the victim. The poem explores the idea of death as a calculated act, where the speaker assumes a role that is both intimate and detached, blending the physical and psychological aspects of violence into a chilling portrayal.

The poem opens with a statement of inevitability: "The correct death is written in." This suggests a preordained fate, as though the act of killing is not a matter of choice but of fulfilling a predetermined role. The speaker’s acceptance of this role is underscored by the line "I will fill the need." This is not a spontaneous or impulsive act; it is methodical and necessary, framed by the language of duty and obligation.

The imagery of the "bow" being "stiff" and "in readiness" conveys a sense of tension and preparation. The speaker is both the weapon and the wielder, describing themselves as "the bullet and the hook," embodying the tools of death. The merging of the weapon with the self illustrates the speaker’s total identification with the act of killing. This identification is further emphasized in the line "I am cocked and held ready," where the speaker becomes an extension of the weapon, fully prepared to execute their task.

The metaphor of the sculptor in "I carve him like a sculptor" adds a layer of artistry to the violence. The speaker is not merely killing; they are shaping the victim’s final moments, "mold[ing] out his last look at everyone." The act of murder is portrayed as a form of creation, where the assassin has the power to define the victim’s final expression and legacy. This control extends to the most intimate details of the victim's identity, as the speaker claims knowledge of "his eyes and his brain bone" and even "his male sex." This detailed knowledge underscores the intimacy of the act, as the assassin is not just ending a life but consuming it, absorbing every aspect of the victim’s being.

The chilling declaration that "His mouth and his anus are one" dehumanizes the victim, reducing him to a mere object devoid of individuality or dignity. This reduction is contrasted with the speaker’s own sense of power, positioned "at the center of feeling," where they possess total control over the victim's fate.

The metaphor of a "subway train... traveling across my crossbow" introduces a sense of unstoppable momentum, likening the impending death to the relentless progress of a train. The "blood bolt" that the speaker claims as their own reinforces the idea that this act of violence is deeply personal, an extension of their identity and will.

As the poem progresses, the speaker’s language becomes increasingly possessive and intimate. They take on the victim’s destiny, their "flag and his eye," and "his hard shell and his lip." This language of possession blurs the lines between the assassin and the victim, suggesting that the act of killing is also an act of incorporation, where the assassin absorbs the essence of the person they destroy.

The final lines of the poem, "He is my evil and my apple and I will see him home," evoke the biblical imagery of original sin, where the apple symbolizes both temptation and knowledge. The assassin sees the victim as both the source of their own evil and as something to be consumed and internalized. The promise to "see him home" implies a finality to the act, a completion of a journey that is as much about the assassin as it is about the victim.

In "The Assassin", Sexton delves into the dark corners of the human psyche, exploring the intersection of power, violence, and identity. The speaker’s fusion of self with the act of killing creates a portrait of an individual who is both detached and deeply connected to their victim, embodying the role of both creator and destroyer. The poem’s stark language and unsettling imagery convey a sense of inevitability and control, as the assassin becomes not just the agent of death but its very embodiment.

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