Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "The Interrogation of the Man of Many Hearts" is a complex exploration of love, infidelity, identity, and the emotional turmoil that comes with trying to reconcile multiple desires and commitments. The poem takes the form of a dramatic monologue, where the speaker—referred to as the "man of many hearts"—is questioned, perhaps by his own conscience, about his romantic entanglements and the conflicting emotions that these relationships evoke.

The poem opens with a direct and accusatory question: "Who's she, that one in your arms?" This sets the stage for a confession or explanation, where the man begins to unravel the complexities of his relationships. The woman in question is someone he has "carried [his] bones to" and with whom he has "built a house," but this house is described as "just a cot," a temporary and perhaps inadequate space that symbolizes the fleeting nature of their connection. The use of the word "cot" also suggests a place of rest or escape, rather than a permanent home.

The man admits that he has "built a life that was over an hour" and "a castle where no one lives," indicating that his relationships are ephemeral and perhaps constructed on illusions or desires rather than lasting bonds. The mention of a "song to go with the ceremony" suggests that he has tried to formalize or legitimize this relationship through rituals or words, but these efforts are ultimately hollow.

The interrogation continues with a demand to know why the man has brought this woman into his life and into this metaphorical courtroom. The man responds by acknowledging that his connection with her was devoid of the "festivities or formalities" that are important to a woman, particularly in a society that values monogamy and public declarations of commitment. He admits to creating a "song called Marriage," which was a fabrication, a way to give their relationship the appearance of legitimacy.

As the interrogation deepens, the man reveals his inner conflict: he is not just dealing with one relationship, but many. He refers to the woman as his "real witch, my fork, my mare, my mother of tears, my skirtful of hell," among other intense and contradictory images. These metaphors capture the complex and multifaceted nature of their relationship, which is at once nurturing and destructive, passionate and painful. The woman represents both his deepest desires and his greatest fears.

The man confesses that he has tied this woman down, both metaphorically and literally, in his life. He admits to having "tied her down with a knot" and suggests that this binding was an act of desperation, a way to possess her completely. However, this act of possession is not satisfying, and he acknowledges that it is insufficient to merely "bed" her—he needs to own her entirely, including her "eyes and her mouth...and also her tongue."

The man is aware of the moral and emotional consequences of his actions. He acknowledges that he is not a "judge or a psychologist," but rather someone who is deeply entangled in his own desires and failings. He struggles with the duality of his life—having "real daytimes and nighttimes with children and balconies and a good wife" while simultaneously being consumed by his other, more illicit relationships.

The poem reaches a climax as the man confesses that he is "caught deep in the dye of her," a phrase that suggests he is permanently marked or stained by this relationship. He recognizes that he is "drunk as a piper" and "determined to tie her up forever," but also acknowledges that his desire to codify or legitimize this relationship through "law" is impossible, as there is "no law for this."

The final exchange between the man and his interrogator (or his conscience) is harsh and definitive. The man is called a "fool" for trying to sustain these multiple loves, and the imagery of "clover...grown thorns" and "stones of the river...suck[ing] men's eyes dry" reinforces the inevitability of pain and loss in his situation. The poem concludes with the idea that "every bed has been condemned," not by external forces like "morality or law," but by "time." This suggests that all relationships, regardless of their nature, are subject to decay and the ravages of time, and that the man's attempts to hold onto them are ultimately futile.

"The Interrogation of the Man of Many Hearts" is a poignant and introspective exploration of the conflicts between love, desire, commitment, and societal expectations. Anne Sexton uses rich, evocative language to capture the complexities of human relationships and the internal struggles that arise when one tries to reconcile conflicting emotions and desires. The poem delves into the nature of infidelity, the pain of longing, and the inevitable passage of time that undermines even the most passionate connections, offering a powerful reflection on the human condition.

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