'Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!
Give me back my book and take my kiss instead.
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard,
"What a big book for such a little head!"
Come, I will show you now my newest hat,
And you may watch me purse my mouth and prink!
Oh, I shall love you still, and all of that.
I never again shall tell you what I think.
I shall be sweet and crafty, soft and sly;
You will not catch me reading any more:
I shall be called a wife to pattern by;
And some day when you knock and push the door,
Some sane day, not too bright and not too stormy,
I shall be gone, and you may whistle for me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. It is a powerful and emotional piece that explores the themes of regret, loss, and the passing of time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of Millay's poem, analyzing its structure, language, tone, and imagery.
Background and Context
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in 1892 in Rockland, Maine, and grew up in a small town called Camden. She was a poet, playwright, and feminist activist who wrote prolifically throughout her life, publishing over twenty books of poetry, plays, and essays. She was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry in 1923 for her collection, The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver.
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry was first published in 1920 in Millay's second collection of poems, A Few Figs from Thistles. This collection was considered scandalous at the time for its frank discussions of sexuality and female independence. The poem itself is written in free verse, a form that Millay was known for using.
Analysis
Structure
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is a short poem, consisting of only twelve lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem packs a powerful emotional punch. The poem is structured in two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of four lines and the second consisting of eight.
The first stanza sets up the tone and theme of the poem, with the speaker warning the subject of the poem that they will regret their actions. The second stanza expands on this warning, describing the future regrets in vivid detail. The poem ends abruptly, with the final line leaving the reader with a sense of finality and loss.
Language and Tone
The language of Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is simple and direct, with no flowery or ornate language. The tone of the poem is one of warning and regret, with the speaker admonishing the subject of the poem for their actions. The use of repetition in the title and throughout the poem emphasizes the seriousness of the warning and creates a sense of urgency.
Imagery
The imagery of Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is vivid and powerful, painting a picture of regret and loss. The use of the phrase "your heart will break" in the second stanza is particularly effective, as it conveys the emotional pain that the subject of the poem will experience. The use of the word "waste" in the third line of the second stanza reinforces the idea that the subject of the poem will have wasted their time and opportunities.
Interpretation
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is a poem that explores the theme of regret and the consequences of one's actions. The poem warns the subject of the poem that they will regret their actions, and describes in detail the future regret that they will experience. The poem could be interpreted as a cautionary tale, warning readers to think carefully about their choices and the impact that they will have on their future.
The repetition of the phrase "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" throughout the poem creates a sense of urgency and emphasizes the seriousness of the warning. The use of free verse allows the poem to flow naturally and creates a sense of spontaneity and emotion.
The imagery of the poem is particularly effective in conveying the emotional impact of regret. The use of the phrase "your heart will break" in the second stanza creates a visceral image of emotional pain, while the use of the word "waste" reinforces the idea that the subject of the poem will have wasted their time and opportunities.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the theme of regret and the consequences of one's actions. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and free verse, Edna St. Vincent Millay creates a sense of urgency and emotional depth that resonates with readers. The poem serves as a cautionary tale, warning readers to think carefully about their choices and the impact that they will have on their future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry: An Analysis of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Classic Poem
Edna St. Vincent Millay was a prolific American poet who wrote during the early 20th century. Her works were known for their lyrical quality and their exploration of themes such as love, death, and nature. One of her most famous poems is "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry," which was published in 1920. This poem is a powerful and emotional exploration of the pain of lost love, and it has remained a classic of American poetry for nearly a century.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing her former lover, telling him that he will be sorry for leaving her. She uses repetition to emphasize her point, saying "Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word" and "Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that kiss." This repetition creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is trying to convince her lover of the depth of his mistake.
The second stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker describes the pain of lost love in vivid detail. She says that her lover will feel "the hot tears and the bitter pain" and that he will "long to take your words back, or die." This imagery is intense and emotional, conveying the depth of the speaker's feelings and the impact that the loss of love has had on her.
The third stanza of the poem shifts in tone, as the speaker begins to address herself rather than her former lover. She tells herself that she will be strong and that she will not let her pain consume her. She says that she will "laugh a little" and "live a little" and that she will not let her former lover's actions define her. This shift in tone is important, as it shows that the speaker is not simply a victim of lost love, but rather a strong and resilient individual who is capable of moving on.
The final stanza of the poem returns to the theme of regret, as the speaker tells her former lover that he will regret his actions for the rest of his life. She says that he will "remember her face" and "wish he had never been born." This final stanza is a powerful conclusion to the poem, as it emphasizes the lasting impact of lost love and the importance of making wise choices in matters of the heart.
Overall, "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a powerful and emotional exploration of the pain of lost love. Edna St. Vincent Millay's use of repetition, vivid imagery, and shifting tones creates a sense of urgency and desperation that is both heartbreaking and inspiring. The poem is a classic of American poetry, and it continues to resonate with readers today.
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