Analysis
May Sarton’s literary career is marked by a profound exploration of identity, creativity, and the human condition through various forms of writing, including poetry, journals, memoirs, and novels. Sarton’s work consistently focuses on themes such as solitude, love, the struggles of women artists, and the interplay between society and self. Her contributions to literature reflect a lifelong quest to understand the female muse, the challenges of the artistic life, and the inevitable process of aging.
May Sarton's Poetry: A Lifelong Devotion
Although May Sarton engaged in writing across various genres, she regarded poetry as her most vital creative outlet. As a child prodigy in poetry, Sarton began her journey with her first collection, Encounter in April, published in 1937, culminating in her final work, Coming into Eighty in 1994. Her poetry, often structured in formal styles like sonnets, delves into themes of love and loss, nature, art, aging, solitude, and social issues.
Sarton's sonnet sequences, notably in works like “A Divorce of Lovers” and “The Autumn Sonnet,” explore the vicissitudes of passionate love and its inevitable transitions. Her later work, Letters from Maine, affirms a late-life yearning for sustained affection, while Coming into Eighty reflects on aging with wisdom and optimism.
Memoirs and Journals: Sarton's Intimate Reflections
Sarton's memoirs and journals, such as I Knew a Phoenix and Plant Dreaming Deep, provide introspective narratives that have captivated readers with their candid portrayal of her life. Plant Dreaming Deep particularly resonated with readers for its idealized depiction of a single, creative life among New England's serene landscapes.
Through her journals, including Journal of a Solitude, Sarton offers readers a nuanced view of the dichotomies between solitude and society. Her writings explore the joy of creative solitude countered by moments of loneliness and despair. In later journals like Endgame and Encore, she addresses the physical and emotional struggles of aging, providing an unflinching look at vulnerability and resilience.
Exploring Fiction: Conversations and Identity
In her novels, Sarton frequently uses dialogue to explore internal character dynamics rather than focusing on external plot development. This approach, seen in works like Crucial Conversations and Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing, illustrates the journey of women towards understanding their identities and navigating relationships.
Sarton’s fiction often celebrates influential women from her past, infusing them into her characters, as seen in The Single Hound and The Magnificent Spinster. Additionally, her works touch on themes of androgyny and homosexuality, as depicted in Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Calling and The Education of Harriet Hatfield.
“Journal of a Solitude”: A Year in Reflection
Journal of a Solitude chronicles Sarton's experiences from September 1970 to September 1971, highlighting her internal conflict between solitude and social interaction. Through this journal, Sarton examines how solitude serves as both a wellspring of creativity and a source of isolation.
The journal details Sarton's life during this year, including her creative boom spurred by an affair with someone referred to as “X” and moments of professional success juxtaposed with personal losses. Moving from New Hampshire to Maine marks a significant transition, reflecting Sarton's continuous evolution through introspection and creativity.
“As We Are Now”: A Tale of Oppression and Defiance
As We Are Now is a poignant narrative of an elderly woman, Caro Spencer, who faces abuse in a nursing home. Through Caro’s journal, Sarton reveals the neglect and mistreatment older adults often suffer, and Caro’s eventual act of rebellion serves as a testament to the human spirit’s demand for dignity and agency.
The novel underscores Sarton's belief in the transformative power of writing as Caro records her...
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experiences, ensuring her story endures beyond her dire circumstances. Her journal becomes a symbol of resistance, creativity, and the enduring quest for personal growth.
“Gestalt at Sixty”: Sarton's Poetic Milestone
In “Gestalt at Sixty,” Sarton reflects on the elements that have shaped her identity on her sixtieth birthday. The poem, part of A Durable Fire, encapsulates Sarton's appreciation for nature, solitude, and the creative forces that drive her Poetry.
Sarton divides the poem into sections, addressing the balance between solitude and societal interaction and synthesizing diverse philosophical and religious influences. Her poetic introspection affirms her acceptance of aging and change as integral parts of life’s creative journey.
“Mrs. Stevens Hears the Mermaids Singing”: A Study of the Artistic Self
This novel presents Hilary Stevens, a poet who reflects on her life and the relationships that have fueled her creativity. Sarton uses conversations and internal monologues to explore Hilary’s struggles with her muse, a recurring motif in Sarton's work.
The novel examines the tension between domesticity and artistic ambition, emphasizing the importance of embracing one’s creative identity despite societal norms. Sarton’s portrayal of Hilary is an exploration of the complex dynamics between personal experiences and creative expression.
“Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year”: Renewal and Reflection
Sarton's Encore: A Journal of the Eightieth Year captures a year of renewal and reflection after a period of illness and frailty. The journal documents her gradual return to physical activity, cherished friendships, and creative productivity.
Despite ongoing health challenges, Sarton’s year is marked by significant achievements, including literary honors and the publication of new works. Her enduring commitment to friendship and creativity highlights her resilience and the sustaining power of art in the face of aging.
Sarton's Muse: Creativity and Feminine Power
Throughout her career, Sarton frequently invokes the concept of the muse as a complex source of inspiration and challenge. Her work often explores the muse as a reflection of the self, embodying the tensions between creativity and personal identity.
Sarton's relationship with her muse is multifaceted, representing erotic, demoniac, and maternal aspects, each influencing her artistic journey. Her poems, such as “An Invocation to Kali” and “The Muse as Medusa,” depict the muse as both a catalyst for creation and an entity that demands engagement with one’s inner turmoil.
Sarton’s “Feminine Aesthetic”
Sarton’s exploration of the female muse is intertwined with her consideration of what it means to be a woman and an artist. Her poetry and prose often reflect the duality of the creative woman, caught between traditional roles and the pursuit of artistic autonomy.
In “My Sisters, O My Sisters” and other works, Sarton addresses the challenges women face in asserting their voices and claiming creative space. Her poetry serves as both a testament to the struggles of female artists and a celebration of their unique contributions to literature.
Sarton's Fictional Universes
Sarton’s novels, such as The Bridge of Years and The Birth of a Grandfather, reflect her preoccupation with the interplay of personal and historical narratives. These works often explore the impact of social and political changes on individual lives, drawing from Sarton's own experiences and relationships.
In A Reckoning, Sarton delves into the introspective journey of a woman facing terminal illness, highlighting themes of self-discovery and reconciliation with past relationships. Her fiction consistently examines the complexity of human emotions and the search for meaning within the constraints of social norms and personal limitations.
