Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton’s poem "When Man Enters Woman" is a vivid and metaphorical exploration of the act of sexual union, imbued with both spiritual and existential undertones. Through intense imagery and symbolic language, Sexton delves into the profound connection and brief transcendence experienced during sexual intimacy, while also acknowledging the inevitable separation that follows. The poem captures the tension between the physical and the divine, the transient and the eternal, highlighting the complexities of human desire and the search for unity.

The poem opens with a powerful and evocative image: "When man / enters woman, / like the surf biting the shore, / again and again." The comparison of sexual intercourse to the relentless motion of the surf against the shore conveys both the rhythmic nature of the act and the persistent, almost elemental force of desire. The repetition of "again and again" emphasizes the cyclical and unceasing nature of this connection, suggesting that the act is not just a physical encounter, but a recurring, almost ritualistic attempt to achieve unity.

As the woman "opens her mouth in pleasure" and her "teeth gleam / like the alphabet," Sexton introduces the concept of language and communication into the act of love. The gleaming teeth, likened to the alphabet, suggest that in this moment of intimacy, something fundamental and primal is being expressed—perhaps a language beyond words, a pure form of communication that transcends ordinary speech. The reference to "Logos," a term rooted in ancient Greek philosophy and Christian theology, where it signifies the divine word or reason, suggests that this moment of physical union is also a moment of divine revelation or creation. The appearance of Logos "milking a star" further elevates the act, infusing it with cosmic significance, as if the union of man and woman taps into the very fabric of the universe.

The poem then shifts to describe the man "inside of woman" tying "a knot / so that they will / never again be separate." This knot symbolizes the desire for permanence, for an unbreakable bond that defies the transitory nature of physical existence. The act of tying a knot within the context of sexual union suggests a yearning for complete fusion, an attempt to achieve a lasting unity that transcends the limitations of individual identity. However, the poem also recognizes the fragility of this connection, as the knot represents both the intensity of the bond and the potential for it to unravel.

The woman, in response, "climbs into a flower / and swallows its stem," a metaphor that evokes the imagery of fertility, growth, and the natural world. The flower, often a symbol of femininity and beauty, becomes a vehicle for the woman’s own transcendence, as she takes the stem into herself, symbolizing both nourishment and the acceptance of life’s cyclical nature. The reappearance of Logos, who "unleashes their rivers," suggests that this union has released a powerful, life-giving force, perhaps the flow of creative energy or the merging of their individual essences into something greater than themselves.

The poem then introduces a moment of reflection on the nature of this union: "This man, / this woman / with their double hunger, / have tried to reach through / the curtain of God." Here, Sexton acknowledges the dual nature of human desire—both physical and spiritual. The "double hunger" speaks to the deep, primal need for connection and fulfillment that drives the act of love, while the "curtain of God" represents the barrier between the mortal and the divine, the finite and the infinite. The lovers, in their moment of union, have briefly transcended this barrier, touching the divine and experiencing a fleeting glimpse of eternity.

However, the poem concludes with a recognition of the inherent impermanence of this transcendence: "though God / in His perversity / unties the knot." The use of the word "perversity" suggests a cruel or ironic twist in the divine plan, where the unity achieved in love is ultimately undone. The knot that symbolized their bond is untied, and the lovers are returned to their separate, individual selves. This ending underscores the transient nature of human experience, where moments of connection and transcendence are always fleeting, leaving behind a sense of loss or longing.

In "When Man Enters Woman," Anne Sexton explores the profound and often paradoxical nature of sexual intimacy, where the desire for unity and transcendence is met with the inevitable reality of separation and impermanence. Through rich and symbolic language, Sexton captures the intense physical and spiritual dimensions of love, acknowledging both its power to connect and its ultimate inability to overcome the boundaries of individual existence. The poem serves as a meditation on the human condition, where the pursuit of connection and meaning is both beautiful and fraught with the knowledge of its fleeting nature.

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