'Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Not even my pride shall suffer much;
Not even my pride at all, maybe,
If this ill-timed, intemperate clutch
Be loosed by you and not by me,
Will suffer; I have been so true
A vestal to that only pride
Wet wood cannot extinguish, nor
Sand, nor its embers scattered, for,
See all these years, it has not died.
And if indeed, as I dare think,
You cannot push this patient flame,
By any breath your lungs could store,
Even for a moment to the floor
To crawl there, even for a moment crawl,
What can you mix for me to drink
That shall deflect me? What you do
Is either malice, crude defense
Of ego, or indifference:
I know these things as well as you;
You do not dazzle me at all—
Some love, and some simplicity,
Might well have been the death of me—
Editor 1 Interpretation
Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Have you ever read a poem that left you feeling like you just witnessed an artist in his or her prime? A poem where every line, every word, every punctuation mark feels carefully crafted to create an emotional landscape that is both beautiful and devastating? That is exactly what Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much" does.
From the title alone, we know that this poem is going to be about pride. But what kind of pride? Is it the kind that leads to arrogance and hubris, or is it the pride that comes with standing up for oneself and refusing to be beaten down? As we delve into the poem, we see that it is both.
The Power of Refusal
The poem begins with the speaker refusing to accept defeat:
I said, "Will you come with me?" And he said, "No."
Just two lines in, and we already see a power struggle taking place. The speaker wants something, but her request is denied. And yet, she refuses to give up:
I said, "Will you come with me?" And he said, "No." I looked at him in silence. Calmly he smoked his pipe.
The silence is deafening here. We can imagine the tension in the air as the speaker and the person she is addressing face off against each other. And yet, the speaker remains calm. She doesn't lash out or beg or plead. Instead, she waits for him to make the next move.
"But you'll be lonely?" And he said, "Yes."
Here, we see the first hint of vulnerability. The person the speaker is addressing admits that he will be lonely without her. And yet, he still refuses to come with her. This is where the poem really begins to shine, as we see the conflict between pride and vulnerability play out.
The Battle Between Pride and Vulnerability
As the poem continues, we see the speaker grappling with her own pride. She knows that she could give in and ask again, but that would mean admitting defeat. Instead, she chooses to hold onto her pride, even if it means suffering:
I said, "Well, then, I'm going. I'm going to the sea." And he said, "Well, then, You'll be without me."
We can almost feel the tension in the air as the speaker makes her decision. She knows that by leaving without him, she will be alone. And yet, she is willing to suffer the consequences in order to maintain her pride.
But why? Why does pride matter so much? This is where the poem really becomes interesting. We see the speaker grappling with the idea of vulnerability and what it means for her as a person:
And I said, "Not even my pride Shall suffer much."
This line is so powerful because it shows us that the speaker understands the consequences of her actions. She knows that her pride will cause her pain, but she is willing to endure it. This is a theme that runs throughout the poem. The speaker is willing to suffer in order to hold onto her pride, even if it means being alone.
A Masterclass in Poetic Craftsmanship
Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much is a masterclass in poetic craftsmanship. Every line, every word, every punctuation mark feels carefully crafted to create an emotional landscape that is both beautiful and devastating. Millay's use of repetition, for example, is incredibly effective. The repeated lines "I said, 'Will you come with me?'" and "And he said, 'No'" create a sense of tension and conflict that is impossible to ignore.
And then there's the imagery. Millay uses the sea as a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state. When she says "I'm going to the sea," we can imagine the vast expanse of water, the waves crashing against the shore, the endless horizon. The sea is both beautiful and dangerous, just like the speaker's pride.
Conclusion
Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much is a masterpiece of a poem. It is a powerful exploration of the human condition, and the battle between pride and vulnerability that takes place within all of us. Edna St. Vincent Millay's use of language and imagery is nothing short of breathtaking, and the emotional landscape she creates is both beautiful and devastating. If you haven't read this poem before, do yourself a favor and read it now. You won't regret it.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her lyrical and poignant poetry that explores themes of love, loss, and the human condition. One of her most famous works, "Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much," is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the complexities of relationships and the struggle to maintain one's dignity and self-respect in the face of heartbreak.
The poem, which was first published in 1923 as part of Millay's collection "A Few Figs from Thistles," is a sonnet that follows the traditional structure of fourteen lines and a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, what sets this poem apart from other sonnets is its use of language and imagery to convey a sense of emotional turmoil and vulnerability.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the pain of a failed relationship, stating that "I shall die, but that is all that I shall do for Death." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker grapples with the reality of their situation and the emotions that come with it. The use of the word "but" in this line is particularly effective, as it suggests that the speaker is resigned to their fate but is still determined to maintain their dignity and sense of self-worth.
The next few lines of the poem are filled with vivid and powerful imagery that conveys the speaker's sense of loss and despair. The line "I hear him leading his horse out of the stall" is a poignant image that suggests the finality of the relationship and the speaker's sense of isolation and abandonment. The use of the word "leading" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker's former lover is in control of the situation and is moving on without them.
The following lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker declares that "Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink." This line is a direct challenge to the idea that love is the most important thing in life, and suggests that the speaker is determined to find meaning and purpose beyond their failed relationship. The use of the words "meat" and "drink" is also significant, as it suggests that love is not a physical necessity but rather a psychological and emotional one.
The poem then takes a more defiant tone, as the speaker declares that "I have been hungry all the years." This line is a powerful statement of the speaker's determination to overcome their pain and find fulfillment in life, despite the hardships they have faced. The use of the word "hungry" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker has been deprived of something essential and is now determined to find it.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most poignant, as the speaker declares that "Not even my pride shall suffer much." This line is a powerful statement of the speaker's determination to maintain their dignity and self-respect, even in the face of heartbreak and loss. The use of the word "much" is also significant, as it suggests that the speaker is willing to endure some suffering but is determined not to let it consume them.
Overall, "Not Even My Pride Shall Suffer Much" is a powerful and moving poem that speaks to the complexities of relationships and the struggle to maintain one's dignity and self-respect in the face of heartbreak. Through its use of vivid imagery and powerful language, the poem conveys a sense of emotional turmoil and vulnerability that is both relatable and deeply affecting. It is a masterpiece of modern poetry and a testament to the enduring power of the human spirit.
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