Anne Sexton (1928-1974) was one of a number of confessional poets which included Robert Lowell, Sylvia Plath, W.D. Snodgrass and John Berryman. Sexton was plagued by mental illness throughout much of her life. She suffered mental breakdowns after the birth of her two children. Sexton attempted suicide a number of times.
I read a few of her poems and found them filled with sadness and anguish. Confessional poets touched on subjects that were considered taboo during 1950s and 1960s. Anne Sexton touched on subjects such as menstruation, abortion, drug addiction, and sexuality. She was a talented and skilled writer who ended her life by suicide.
When I look at Anne Sexton's photos and pictures, I see sadness and emptiness in her eyes. What I admire about her is that she wrote about her own personal struggles and shared it with the public. To me that shows authenticity and courage on her part. It's sad that Anne Sexton could not overcome her struggles but she opened up a way where others like her could share their true feelings without being pretentious or bound by the conventions of her time. She and other confessional writers opened that door wide open.
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