Her Kind by Anne Sexton, Coursework Example

The concept of otherness in “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton

The  notion of “othering” originated in philosophical works more than two centuries ago. Presently it is pertinent to philosophy, post colonial studies, psychology, and anthropology; in every of which it is endowed with specific aspects. Nevertheless the term has not gained accurate definition and is used uppermost in it popular meaning synonymic to exclusion and marginalization of one group towards another primarily in social, ethical, cultural, or literary studies ( Definitions of othering). In present work we are interested primarily in the general connotation of the term and its perspective in the poem “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton.

Anne Sexton is associated with confessional poets for whom personal experience played a significant part in creation. Nevertheless she resisted to be labeled “confessional” though her poetry is extremely delicate. She was not an ordinary woman, other; and it couldn’t stay unnoticed in her poetry.

The poem “Her Kind” by Anne Sexton is apparently a large-scale metaphor of otherness. From the first stanza we face two narrators: is a possessed witch, “lonely thing, twelve-fingered, out of mind” (Line 5) and the narrator who identifies herself with a witch. No doubt, the usage of divarication is justified by the main idea – to examine the problem of othering from the point of view of the “other”.

Anne Sexton “polished the poem through several revisions” lengthening the lines, trying different structuring, changing punctuation till the initial title “Night Voice on a Broomstick” was transformed into “Her Kind” (Middlebrook, 1991, p.114). As the natural result of perfection, all the images and motives are well-considered and aimed to depict vividly the feelings of a misunderstood woman.  The poetess resorts to the image of witch as the symbol of oddness, blame and prejudice of the “others” who suffer in an intolerant society. It is a well-known fact that witches have been always condemned by the public.

Sexton represents specific ideas relevant to the issue of feeling alter; stanzas dwell on the following issues: a woman who does not fit common expectations – to be a good housewife, to be humble – is out of mind, “is not a woman, quite” (Line 6); unaccepted behavior leads to misunderstanding; disapproval of being another may imply punishment as the death penalty applied to kill witches during the times of Inquisition: “where your flames still bite my thigh/ and my ribs crack where your wheels wind” (Lines 18,19). So, the diversity from normal, accepted life style leads to death. The narrator sympathizes with the heroine because “she has been of her kind” (Lines 7, 14, 21) and knew how to be misunderstood, how to stand hostile stares.

Personal experience of Anne Sexton who underwent a course of treatment for mental illnesses helped her to convey truthfully how an outcast feels. Sexton often began public readings of her poetry with “Her Kind” which she considered able to show “what kind of woman she was, and what kind of poet” (Middlebrook, 1991, p.115). The “lyric I” of the poem is the embodiment of the poetess herself whose autobiographical poetry often dwelled on the topics of death and madness. The statement “A woman like that is not ashamed to die” (Line20) confirms that she is not ashamed of herself; she is ready to cast off the chains put on her.

The issue of otherness is urgent in various frameworks and attracts attention of surveyors appearing in numerous educational discourses “regarding how we might theorize and practice ethical relations in pedagogical encounters” (Weems, 2007. p.37).

Every group or team represents a small society living by it rules, a school class is not exclusion. As a rule, school classes are not homogeneous in the meaning of race, ethnicity, social rank, welfare and even appearances. Being shrewd observers, children swiftly perceive any difference. Comparing “the other” with the rest of the group gives the reason for teasing, offending him; and after some time an outcast appears in the group. Thus any distinctions – racial, religious, and behavioral – often lead to a child’s suppression. If an adult is capable of managing such situation on his own by changing his attitude to it or by ignoring it, a child cannot find a real himself and gain confidence without the help of elders. The chief task of teacher in this case is to help him realize his difference, and learn to value himself. On the other hand, it is the teacher’s prerogative to prevent the emergence of outsiders and confrontation by establishing the rules of mutual respect in the group; personal example of teacher plays a significant part.

As a rule, it is not hard to point out an outcast kid in the class for an experienced and acute pedagogue. Such kid often stays solitary and does not participate in group entertainments or discussions during the breaks. The teacher noticing the problems of the kind must find a specific approach to explain that otherness is not always a negative fact; it is a multifaceted thing whose sense depends on perspective.

Junior pupils possess highly developed associative thinking connected with perception of environment through bright images. The fairy-tale about ugly duckling by G.H. Andersen may be used to show them how something disgusting may turn into beautiful.

We know numerous facts in history when a unique talent was considered the basis for prejudice. The stories of famous people who achieved success and recognition despite the confrontation with environment are also helpful here. We may recall the hardships Mozart faced in his life because of people envy to his talent.  He (who could not find job worth his gift, lived his life in poverty, and was treated as a servant) created unsurpassed masterpieces which apparently put his name on the list of the most prominent composers for the mankind entire.

References

Definitions of othering. Retrieved June 12, 2010 from http://www.cwrl.utexas.edu/~ulrich/rww03/othering.htm

Middlebrook, D.W. (1991). Anne Sexton: A Biography. New York: Vintage Books.

Sexton, A.  “Her kind”.  In The complete poems: Anne Sexton (1999, pp.15-16). Boston, New York: A Mariner Book.

Weems, L. (2007). “To be mindful of otherness: toward a postpsychoanalytic of ethics and education”. Philosophical studies in education, Volume 37, 37-50.