I am crazy as hell, but I know it. And knowing it is a kind of sanity that makes the sickness worse

I am crazy as hell, but I know it. And knowing it is a kind of sanity that makes the sickness worse

Anne Sexton was a poet known for her raw and confessional style, delving deep into the darkest corners of her mind and exposing her innermost thoughts and struggles. In her work, she often grappled with themes of mental illness, self-destruction, and the complexities of the human psyche. The quote, “I am crazy as hell, but I know it. And knowing it is a kind of sanity that makes the sickness worse,” encapsulates the paradoxical nature of Sexton’s self-awareness and the torment that comes with it.

Sexton’s acknowledgment of her own madness is both a form of self-awareness and a form of self-condemnation. By recognizing her own insanity, she is able to maintain a sense of clarity and understanding about her mental state. However, this awareness also serves to exacerbate her suffering, as she is acutely aware of the depths of her own madness and the destructive tendencies that come with it.