anne sexton
1928-1974
The most psychologically preoccupied of the confessional poets, Anne Sexton wrote poetry at the recommendation of her therapist. Suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her first child, Sexton was institutionalized for the the first time out of many. Struggling with depression her entire life, she committed suicide at the age of 46. She favored the sonnet structure, and, like many other confessionalists, was profoundly impacted by Snodgrass. Like Plath, Sexton is considered a feminist icon, especially because womanhood is one of the central themes of her works. Outside of confessional poetry, Sexton had an affinity for fairy-tales and experimented with retellings.
The most psychologically preoccupied of the confessional poets, Anne Sexton wrote poetry at the recommendation of her therapist. Suffering from post-partum depression after the birth of her first child, Sexton was institutionalized for the the first time out of many. Struggling with depression her entire life, she committed suicide at the age of 46. She favored the sonnet structure, and, like many other confessionalists, was profoundly impacted by Snodgrass. Like Plath, Sexton is considered a feminist icon, especially because womanhood is one of the central themes of her works. Outside of confessional poetry, Sexton had an affinity for fairy-tales and experimented with retellings.