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Analysis and comments on For John, Who Begs Me Not To Enquire Further by Anne Sexton

Comment 4 of 4, added on November 10th, 2006 at 4:50 AM.

Colombia's vice president is "baffled" by Kate Moss's success following
cocaine allegations...

Abdullah Patterson
Comment 3 of 4, added on September 12th, 2005 at 4:09 PM.

Yes, it is about John Holmes, according to Diane Wood Middlebrooke's
excellent biography of Anne Sexton.

Derek from United States
Comment 2 of 4, added on July 4th, 2005 at 10:46 AM.

I may be wrong but I think this poem was directed at John Holmes, whose
workshop Anne Sexton participated in. The story goes that he made the
comment that Anne should no longer write about insanity, incest, bodily
functions, masturbation, abortion suicide and all of the rest of Sexton
good stuff.
I have a love-hate attachment to Anne Sexton’s work. At times I think she
doesn’t stretch “inquire” enough and at other times she stretches or tries
too hard to find the most impossible and at times grossest metaphors. But
she always has a humanness, and lesion. This humanness and lesion can be
found in confessional poetry as well as fanatical. The bottom line is the
woman can write.
I think this is one of Sexton’s best poems.


esther from United States
Comment 1 of 4, added on March 30th, 2005 at 8:07 PM.

This is a puzzling poem because we do not know who John. Is she addressing
the male patriarchy or another aspect of herself or a real John? Written
from the context of an assylum her desparation is felt with unconvincing
reference to hope and re-invention of herself 'sheath around the glass
bowl' the glass bowl does not allow for private thoughts..exposes her..the
mirror reflects...order creates hope

Colleen Marshall from New Zealand



Information about For John, Who Begs Me Not To Enquire Further

Poet: Anne Sexton
Poem: For John, Who Begs Me Not To Enquire Further
Added: Feb 20 2003
Viewed: 5781 times


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