3. How is God portrayed in "For God While Sleeping"?
(a) As a newborn infant.
(b) As a woman.
(c) As a loved one who has recently died.
(d) As a senile old man.

4. What is explored in "The Double Image"?
(a) Abandonment.
(b) Duty.
(c) Legacy.
(d) Love.

5. "Music Swims Back To Me" presents an irony of the freedom where?
(a) In a hospital room.
(b) Confined to a home.
(c) Parenthood.
(d) In an asylum.

Short Answer Questions

1. "Torn Down From Glory Daily" draws a parallel between animal hunger and ______.

2. Who does the speaker identify with in "Consorting With Angels"?

3. What family relationship is explored in Part 2 of the author's first book of poetry?

4. Who does the author decide to endure the pains of life for in the last poem in Live or Die?

5. "With Mercy For the Greedy" makes a statement about art as what?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Sexton's poetry put the reader in the middle of her life?

2. Why do you think Part 2 of To Bedlam and Part Way Back only contains three poems?

3. What does the quote in the preface of All My Pretty Ones suggest about the purpose of art? How does this apply to Sexton's poetry?

4. In All My Pretty Ones, Sexton uses more of a third person narrative approach with some of the poems. Why would this be difficult in confessional poetry?

5. What is the significance of "For John, Who Begs Me Not To Enquire Further"?

6. Compare and contrast "The Double Image" and "The Division of Parts."

7. Explain the poem "Eighteen Days Without You."

8. How do the poems in Live or Die reflect Sexton's mental and emotional health?

9. How does the collection Love Poems fit in with Sexton's other work?

10. What makes To Bedlam and Part Way Back autobiographical?

(see the answer keys)

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