Amarant

Reading Group
Dive into the life and work of the American poet Anne Sexton (1928–1974). Sexton is known for her raw, “confessional” poetry, in which she broke taboos surrounding femininity, sexuality, and psychological suffering. Sexton began writing at the urging of her psychiatrist and went on to develop a unique, boundary‑pushing style. She wove her poems around her own life experiences, while also drawing inspiration from fairy tales and religious themes.
During this reading group, led by Caroline Janssen, we will explore her turbulent life and discuss sixteen of her most impressive poems.

Panel Discussion: Anne Sexton, the experience
Anne Sexton's poetry is characterized as 'confessional poetry'. It consists of powerful images stemming from life experiences. What she shares – and it is a lot – can be deeply affecting.

Fortunately, there are still poetry lovers today; but there could be more if poems like Anne's reached broader segments of the population. The extensive medicalization of psychological life has supplanted poetry's traditional roles. In today's hectic pace, making room for poetry again can come as a breath of fresh air. Poetry has many strengths, and one of them is its ability to make inner life visible and discussable. Suffering can be elevated to art, and from that art, a healing power can emanate, for the poet, the reader, or the listener. That is the domain in which Anne Sexton shone.

In the panel discussion, Sarah de Koning and Matthijs Tratsaert will share their connection to Anne Sexton's work. Sarah de Koning is a poet who made a name for herself with her debut collection, Tekstielen. According to poet Charlotte Van den Broeck, her intimate poetry at times evokes associations with Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton. Matthijs Tratsaert, who writes poetry, prose, and essays himself, is an editor for the Flemish Review de la Poëzie, and is currently pursuing his doctorate, has a particular fondness for the collection Live or Die. 

The panelists are big fans of the poems. What appeals to them so strongly? How and when do they derive value from this poetry? How does this poet, who died more than half a century ago, continue to inspire contemporary writers? The panelists will share their views and comments on passages from their favorite poems. They will delve into aspects that personally move or strike them. As creative writers, they will also reflect on translating these poems, which, given her creative use of language, is no easy feat.

Caroline Janssen, who teaches World Literature at Ghent University, will lead a morning reading group featuring Anne Sexton's deeply personal poems and will moderate the panel discussion. Both sessions are complementary but reveal different dimensions. They can be attended separately, but we recommend combining them for a true immersion into her world of experience.

Info and registration: www.amarant.be

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