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Poet: Anne Sexton (Anne Sexton Art)
Poem: The Bells
Comment 5 of 5, added on May 31st, 2009 at 9:36 PM.
The bells symbolize two things. First, the memory or thought of the relationship that she had with her father, and secondly, a warning sign. The three rings of danger are not a circus act, but rather a warning. If something went wrong at a circus, like a fire in the circus tent, the staff at the circus would have a secret warning that alert the other people that worked there. The staff could then evacuate the circus tent without causing commotion or turmoil. The reference to the "naughty clown" is most likely the staff member that did not warn the audience, which caused the "wild parade", or stampede, out of the circus tent.
Thomas from United States
Comment 4 of 5, added on March 27th, 2006 at 1:44 PM.
the significance of The Bells--this is much more of a dark memory from her childhood. The bells are first seen trembling for the flying man--"the three rings of danger."--the ringing takes you back to the bells. And is repeated in her next stanza with "love, love, love"--is it love or is another sign of danger? Is this a realization of where the danger begins at this circus? and the bells come back for the final sentence--"all the trembling bells of you were mine." That memory may read full of love, but trembling bells in this poem equate to danger--it was a warning for Anne--probably about her dad.
Julie from United States
Comment 3 of 5, added on October 24th, 2005 at 1:08 PM.
I think the point of this poem is that she is remembering a good time she once had with her father. I think the significance of the bells are that they are something she remembers hearing while she was with her dad, so bells remind her of the good times she had with her dad.
Kasey from United States
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Comments
The bells symbolize two things. First, the memory or thought of the relationship that she had with her father, and secondly, a warning sign. The three rings of danger are not a circus act, but rather a warning. If something went wrong at a circus, like a fire in the circus tent, the staff at the circus would have a secret warning that alert the other people that worked there. The staff could then evacuate the circus tent without causing commotion or turmoil. The reference to the "naughty clown" is most likely the staff member that did not warn the audience, which caused the "wild parade", or stampede, out of the circus tent.
Thomas from United States