#8 dickenson & sexton: repression, submission & rebellion.

Repression
Both Dickenson and Sexton repressed feelings. Dickenson repressed her feelings for another woman, Sue. Sexton repressed her feelings and desires regarding her impulsive sexual nature. Their repressed feeling came out in writing. Dickenson’s letters to Sue explored her feelings and thoughts; Sexton’s writing captured her uncertainty about conventional life (motherhood and wifehood).  

Dickenson writes: “Precious to me—she still shall be—/ Though she forget the name I bear.” Dickenson craves Sue and wants her to be with her, but that is not and will never ever be the case. In her letter to Sue she writes, "I have one thought, Sussie.. and that of you.. I need you more and more... If you were here... we would not ask for language" Dickenson wrote to and for Sue, but her language could never be enough for her. She needed Sue is everything she did.

Sexton takes on witches voice in much of her writing. I feel like she does this because of how she herself feels like the witch-- a deviant, a bad, bad person.  Red Robin is autobiographical. Briar Rose- she is telling about herself.

Both therefore became submissive in their lives:

Dickenson- liked noted in class handout- can express love through submission, weakness, compliance. (Both partners). CONSEQUENCES

Sexton- submitting to the life style—for whatever reason. Mention other work?

Subtle acts of rebellion:

Dickenson writing to Sue.. sending her letters.. confessing her feelings. Refusing to visit brother. recognizing the love affair, the feelings, the realities.

Sexton in her affair with all her psychologist, engaging in those impulses to fulfill her desires.