Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's "February 11th" delves into the complex emotions tied to the memory of a first home, blending nostalgia with haunting recollections. The poem’s title, "February 11th," suggests a specific day, perhaps one of reflection or significance, on which the speaker revisits the past, focusing on a particular house that seems to hold a significant place in their life.

The opening line, "The day is favorable for real-estate affairs," sets the tone for a reflection on houses and homes, not just as physical structures but as places imbued with personal history and emotional weight. The speaker immediately confesses, "Houses haunt me," indicating that these structures are more than just buildings; they are symbols of past experiences, memories, and perhaps unresolved feelings.

The description of "that last house" as a "square box" evokes a sense of dissatisfaction or confinement. The house is reduced to a simple, unadorned shape, suggesting a lack of warmth or character. The absence of "closets" and a "family room" highlights its inadequacy as a home, as these are spaces typically associated with storage, privacy, and family togetherness. Despite this, the speaker admits, "Still I yearn," revealing a deep, persistent longing for something more—perhaps a home that truly feels like one.

The poem shifts to a nostalgic recollection of a "first home," a place that the speaker seems to have cherished, despite its imperfections. The image of "Railroad tracks / outside the kitchen / window and the good-morning choo-choo" evokes a sense of simple, everyday joys, where even the noise of a passing train becomes part of the home's charm. The reference to a "first baby" and "tricycles hanging / from the chandeliers" suggests a time of family beginnings, full of the chaos and innocence of early parenthood.

The imagery of "kitties like blackboard sharks / nosing their dish" introduces a playful, almost whimsical quality to the memory, as does the mention of "Buttons and eggs / leaving their little round marks." These small, seemingly insignificant details contribute to the sense of a lived-in, beloved home where life unfolds in its most mundane yet meaningful ways.

However, the poem takes a darker turn with the mention of "The Bloody Mary Fight," a disturbing event that left "red / splashed through / the house in the Boston / Strangler way." This sudden shift in tone brings a sense of violence and trauma into the memory, contrasting sharply with the earlier, more nostalgic images. The comparison to the infamous Boston Strangler adds a layer of horror, suggesting that this fight was not just a simple domestic dispute but something far more sinister and damaging.

The speaker describes moving through the house "as if I were dead," evoking a sense of detachment or numbness, as if they were merely a ghost, haunting the spaces where life once thrived. The image of "kissing the walls in a circle, / hall, kitchen, dining room and back / again" suggests a ritualistic, almost obsessive revisiting of the past, trying to find meaning or closure in the spaces where life once unfolded.

The poem concludes with a reflection on identity and heritage, as the speaker refers to themselves as "part Indian," "part Venetian vase," "part Swiss watch," and "part Indian head." These varied references suggest a complex, multifaceted identity, one that is tied to both cultural heritage and personal history. The mention of a "Union Jack / flying for / our British name" introduces a sense of national identity or familial pride, further complicating the speaker's relationship with their past and their sense of self.

"February 11th" is a poignant exploration of memory, identity, and the emotional weight of places we call home. Through its vivid imagery and shifts in tone, the poem captures the bittersweet nature of remembering—a process that brings both comfort and pain, as the speaker navigates the spaces of their past, haunted by what was lost and what remains. Sexton masterfully weaves together the personal and the historical, creating a rich tapestry of memory that resonates with the complexities of life and the passage of time.

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