“Venus and the Ark” – Question #3

A recurring aspect in Sexton’s poem “Venus and the Ark” is her use of exaggerated ideas and concepts. From the meticulous detail shown in the selection of creatures, to the overblown response exhibited by the rival nations, an overarching theme of excess is present. One can attribute the tone to several concepts Sexton may have been attempting to identify or parody in her time period, for example the amplified effects that events such as the Cold War and the Space Race had upon US culture. Additionally one could consider the mental state Anne Sexton was in, as she suffered from mental illness and depression for much of her later life. The cynical and subtlety critical tone Sexton levels in her work may have been manifestations of her slow decline, and her dim outlook on life as her illnesses progressed.