Imagery: Tapping Into The Readers Sixth Sense

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A skilled author possesses the almost mystical ability to awaken a mysterious hidden sixth sense of the reader. This sixth sense or mind’s eye provides written words the ability to rekindle vivid memories and virtually transport the reader to another place, time, or past experience. All these seemingly magical powers originate from imagery. It is through imagery that an author provides the symbolic hook necessary to achieve the reader’s desired emotional attachment to their work. Anne Sexton’s unfettered use of imagery in “Cinderella” is an excellent example of using imagery to not only paint a vivid picture for the reader, but also allows Sexton to use specific words and phrases to elicit an emotional tie to the main character based on the readers past experience.
In her version of the Grimms’ “Cinderella”, Sexton seems to enjoy mocking the Prince Charming and happily-ever-after image provided by the Disney fairy tale. By embracing a darker more cynical version of this classic childhood fairy tale, Sexton attempts to reflect a more modernistic realism. This departure into cynicism begins in the first stanza with her depiction of “the plumber with twelve children / who wins the Irish Sweepstakes. / From toilets to riches.” (2-4) and continues in the second stanza “Or the nursemaid, / some luscious sweet from Denmark / who captures the oldest son’s heart. / From diapers to Dior” (6-10). These modern examples of relatable rags-to-riches scenarios are typical of Sexton’s works. “Each poem begins with a prelude of sorts, typically one or more vignettes that are either autobiographical or of modern-day characters who reflect the themes that Sexton will emphasize in her retelling of the tale” (Keely 2). Although effective for the...

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...rstanding Sexton’s use of poetry as a therapeutic method of psychotherapy helps to provide insight into the troubled mind capable of producing the vivid imagery as adults we find so captivating and ultimately her reluctance to buy into the happy-ever-after endings of the modern children’s fairy tales.
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Works Cited

Keely, Karen A. ""This Book of Odd Tales / which Transform the Brothers Grimm": Teaching Anne Sexton's Transformations." English Journal 98.2 (2008): 69-75. ProQuest. Web. 17 Mar. 2014.
"Overview: 'Cinderella'." Poetry for Students. Ed. Sara Constantakis. Vol. 41. Detroit: Gale, 2012. Literature Resources from Gale. Web. 18 Mar. 2014.
Sexton, Anne. “Cinderella.” Literature: An Introduction to Fiction, Poetry, Drama, and Writing. Ed. X. J., Kennedy and Dana Gioia.7th ed. Boston, MA: Longman Pub Group, 2012. 707-710.Print.

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