Transformations: the Gold Key to an Understanding of the Poetry of Anne Sexton

This study proposes an approach to understanding Anne Sexton's poetry through Transformations, the book which seems to be the least typical of her works because of its apparent lack of autobiography, its humor, and its use of Grimms' fairy tales. I contend that Transformations does not basically differ from and is, in fact, indicative of some of the general characteristics of theme, style, and method of Sexton's other works. To prove this contention the study is divided into three sections: first, a discussion of biographical background and Sexton's consequent relationship to the confessional movement; second, an overview of her works and the critical reactions to them; and three, an analysis of Transformations. The analysis of Transformations compares Sexton's versions of the fairy tales to translations of Grimms', suggests possible interpretations for her poems, and points out any relationships of themes and images to her other poems.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Arts in English

Level thesis:degree_level

Masters

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

English

Year

1979

Author dc:creator

• Leitle, Regina

Contributors dc:contributor

• Mary Sweeney

• English Language and Literature

Statement dc:rights

• © Regina Leitle

Repository record dc:identifier

https://bearworks.missouristate.edu/theses/526

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:bearworks.missouristate.edu:theses-1527