Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

Anne Sexton's "February 4th" is a reflective and introspective poem that delves into the recurring dream of a specific room, a space that holds deep personal and symbolic significance for the speaker. The poem is rich with imagery and evokes a sense of longing and nostalgia, as the speaker revisits this dreamscape, which represents both a place of control and a connection to the past.

The opening line, "The day is good for attempts to advance a secret hope or dream," sets the tone for the poem, suggesting that this day is favorable for nurturing hidden desires or ambitions. This line hints at the importance of the dream that follows, framing it as a crucial part of the speaker's inner world.

The speaker begins by describing the room they dream about, a place they have visited "twice" in their life—once at the age of nine and again at thirty-six. These two points in time are significant, marking early childhood and the approach to middle age, both of which are often times of reflection and reassessment. The repetition of this dream at these specific ages suggests that the room is a symbol of something deeply rooted in the speaker's psyche, possibly tied to their identity and life experiences.

The imagery of "dragging the ocean" by its "bottle-green neck" introduces a powerful and somewhat surreal visual, where the speaker exerts control over the vast, uncontrollable forces of nature. The ocean, traditionally a symbol of the unconscious or the emotional depths, is here something the speaker can manipulate, "letting it chew the rocks" and "haul beach glass and furniture sticks." This image conveys a sense of mastery over the chaotic and unpredictable elements of life, as if the room provides a space where the speaker can tame or direct these forces.

The reference to the "woman-of-war" and "that Mary" coming in and out of the room suggests the presence of a significant female figure, possibly a mother or a maternal archetype, who has a strong influence on the speaker's life. The repeated opening and closing of the door by this figure could symbolize the cyclical nature of relationships or the comings and goings of important people in the speaker's life.

The room itself is described as "an island," isolated yet connected to the world through a "wide window" that serves as a "spy hole on the sea." This window allows the speaker to observe the world outside—a world that is portrayed as both mundane and mystical, with the sea "scrubbing away like an old woman her wash" and "gulls like flying babies" arriving for their sustenance. The image of the sea as an old woman performing a daily chore emphasizes the continuity and perseverance of nature, while the gulls represent innocence or new beginnings, coming to receive their "dole."

The mention of the speaker's grandfather, who is "typing" and is referred to as "my little Superman," introduces a personal and familial element to the dream. The grandfather's presence provides comfort and security, as he "rocks me when the lighthouse flattens her eyes out." The lighthouse, a symbol of guidance and safety, here becomes a less reliable figure, its "flattened eyes" suggesting a moment of weakness or loss of direction. In contrast, the grandfather, through his typing—a creative act—offers stability and protection.

The poem concludes with the speaker acknowledging the spiritual or sacred nature of the room, referring to it as "the room I pray to when I am dreaming and devout." This line reinforces the idea that the room is not just a physical space but a sanctuary for the speaker's deepest hopes, fears, and memories. It is a place of solace and reflection, where the speaker can connect with the past, confront their emotions, and find a sense of peace.

"February 4th" is a deeply personal and evocative poem that explores the significance of a recurring dream and the emotions and memories it evokes. Through rich and layered imagery, Sexton captures the interplay between control and surrender, isolation and connection, and the ways in which our dreams can serve as both a refuge and a means of understanding our inner selves. The room in the poem becomes a powerful symbol of the speaker's inner world, a place where they can confront and make sense of the forces that shape their life.

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