H2U, FLSH, Casa-Ben M’sik

Department of English
Readings in Culture (S2—M12)
Spring Term 2022
Profs. Benfares, Lahlou, Syad

A Commentary on Anne Sexton’s “To a Friend Whose Work Has Come to

Triumph”

Anne Sexton’s poem takes reference of the mythological character of Icarus for
modern feminist purposes. Typically, the myth of the fall of Icarus expresses a classic
moral warning against hubris, or excessive pride and over-confidence. But in Sexton’s
poem, the Icarian myth is employed to emphasise the admirable adventurous spirit of
Icarus, rather than talking about his tragic flaw. In other words, Sexton downplays the
tragic result of the flight and foregrounds notions of liberation and personal
experience, which are very dear to feminist activism.

Although Daedalus has warned his son not to fly too high, Icarus is
overwhelmed by the joy of flying that he flies too close to the sun, which melts his
wings that he plummets into the sea. In Sexton’s poem, the focus shifts from the
father’s warning to prevent a tragedy to the son’s search for self-dependence and self-
realisation. Sexton makes the character of Icarus stand for youth, rebellion, and self-
discovery. Her positive portrayal of the fall of Icarus evokes that life should be fully
lived. If one keeps living according to laws, rules, and norms, one will never discover
one’s own true self. Thus, instead of following orders and rules to live a monotonous,
mundane adult life, Icarus must follow his own way of thinking and doing.

The two adverbs “casually” in line 10 and “wondrously” in line 11 describe

Icarus’ relaxed attitude and state of mind. While flying high in the sky, Icarus in
Sexton’s poem marvellously and delightfully forces his way through the heat of the
sun, untroubled about the melting of his wax-attached wings. The experience of the
flight makes him feel, though for a short moment, faultless and complete (flawless
moment, line 2). It makes him feel unique and strong. Trees and camels, which used to
be taller and more imposing when standing on earth close to them, are below him now;
they look clumsy and graceless, just like the flock of birds are surprised that he flies as
naturally as they do (There below are the trees, as awkward as camels; / Here are the

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shocked starlings pumping past, lines 5-6). It makes him feel satisfied and gratified.
He praises the sun with great passion (See him acclaim the sun, line 13).

In contrast, his father, who seems to represent maturity, wisdom, and experience,
is mocked at the end of the poem. When line 14 describes the father as being sensible
and practical, we understand that the description is an ironic poke at his going straight
into town, rather than enjoying the experience of the flight in itself. There is no
pleasure in his flight. Therefore, the poem is about Icarus, and not about him. Even his
name—Daedalus—is not mentioned. Being a feminist writer, Sexton criticises
patriarchy in the image of the father. Presented as being too sensible and detached, the
father is held up to ridicule. In other words, the poem ends on a sarcastic note against
the father as he does not approve of his son’s adventurous, wild spirit.

Icarus, rising up to greater heights, does not care if he falls for he sees the glory
of the sun at a close distance. The sun as a symbol of the higher self and supreme
cosmic power makes his flight a real triumph, and triumph requires sacrifice. The
rhetorical question—“Who cares that he fell back to the sea,” line 12—highlights
Icarus’ transcendence of death. Death is not feared, for reaching for the sun, Icarus has
fulfilled complete harmony with the universe. The sun and the sea, as the whole
creation, are one cosmic body. Thus, the high flight of Icarus is a journey that has
come to triumph.