Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "The Errand" delves into the intricacies of human existence, exploring themes of life, death, identity, and the relentless passage of time. Through a rich tapestry of vivid imagery and complex metaphors, Sexton portrays life as a journey filled with existential challenges and inevitable conclusions, all while reflecting on personal struggles and the universal human condition.

The poem unfolds in a structured yet free-flowing manner, comprising seven stanzas that weave together a narrative of introspection and observation. Sexton's use of rhyme is intricate and varied, lending a musical quality to the verses while emphasizing the interconnectedness of the themes she explores. The opening stanza introduces readers to a sense of entrapment and separation: "two long dolls in a cage, / two hunger-mongers throwing a myth in and out." This imagery evokes feelings of confinement and longing, suggesting a relationship or connection strained by doubt and anger. The metaphor of dolls implies a loss of agency, as if the individuals are controlled by external forces or societal expectations.

As the poem progresses, Sexton delves deeper into self-examination and transformation. References to therapy—"scrubbed out the remainder with my shrink"—and symbolic acts like "placed my bones in a jar as if possessed" illustrate a journey of introspection and attempts at purification or understanding. The act of "washing the white out of the moon" signifies an endeavor to remove purity or innocence, perhaps indicating a confrontation with darker aspects of the self or reality. Eating "The Cross" and digesting "its lore" suggests a complex relationship with religion and spirituality, hinting at both consumption and internalization of faith and its doctrines.

The middle stanzas shift focus to the inevitability of death and the futility of earthly pursuits. The "shopkeeper" becomes a central figure, representing perhaps fate or death itself, controlling access and setting terms for this "errand" called life. The shopkeeper's offerings—"cognac and razor blades"—symbolize both pleasure and pain, temptation and destruction, underscoring the dualities present in human experiences. Sexton portrays life's distractions and indulgences, from "whiskey and dex" to "some soup or some sex," as temporary reprieves from the underlying march towards mortality.

Sexton also critiques and reflects upon the literary world and the act of writing: "let us be folk of the literary set, / let us deceive with words the critics regret." This self-referential commentary exposes the performative aspects of art and the possible disconnection between expression and authenticity. Typing out lives "like a Singer sewing sublimation" cleverly combines domestic imagery with the creative process, suggesting that writing serves as both an escape and a means of coping with deeper emotions and desires.

The concluding stanzas bring a profound sense of closure and resignation. The imagery of being "spanked alive by some doctor of folly" alludes to birth and the absurdity of existence, while "exploding with blood in this errand called life" vividly captures the intensity and transience of human life. The final lines depict the shopkeeper—death—completing his transaction, forgetting the individual's face and reducing life’s profound experiences to a fleeting moment "like moth wings for a short while in a small place." This evokes a poignant sense of impermanence and anonymity, highlighting the ephemeral nature of life and the inevitable fading of individual significance.

Throughout "The Errand," Sexton's masterful use of language and metaphor invites readers to contemplate the complexities of existence, the search for meaning, and the acceptance of mortality. The poem's structure and rhythmic flow mirror the cyclical and often turbulent journey of life, while its rich imagery and introspective tone provide a deep and resonant exploration of the human psyche. Sexton's candid and evocative style challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths and reflect upon their own passages through life’s inexorable errands.

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