'If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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IF I should learn, in some quite casual way,
That you were gone, not to return again—
Read from the back-page of a paper, say,
Held by a neighbor in a subway train,
How at the corner of this avenue
And such a street (so are the papers filled)
A hurrying man—who happened to be you—
At noon to-day had happened to be killed,
I should not cry aloud—I could not cry
Aloud, or wring my hands in such a place—
I should but watch the station lights rush by
With a more careful interest on my face,
Or raise my eyes and read with greater care
Where to store furs and how to treat the hair.
Submitted by Venus
Editor 1 Interpretation
"If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Criticism and Interpretation
Have you ever read a poem that left you with a sense of longing and a feeling that you had just brushed up against something profound? That's exactly how I felt when I first read "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem is a masterpiece of concise language and poignant emotion, and it's one that demands close analysis and interpretation.
A Brief Overview of the Poem
Before we dive into the details, let's take a moment to appreciate the poem as a whole. "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" is a sonnet, meaning it has fourteen lines and a specific rhyme scheme. Millay uses the traditional form of the sonnet to explore a deeply personal and universal theme: the fear of losing someone we love. The poem is structured around the idea of a hypothetical situation, where the speaker learns of the death of her beloved "in some quite casual way." Throughout the poem, Millay uses imagery and metaphor to convey the speaker's sense of loss and the importance of the relationship they shared.
Analysis of the Poem
Now, let's take a closer look at the poem and its language. Here is the text:
If I should learn, in some quite casual way,
That you were gone, not to return again—
Read from the back-page of a paper, say,
Held by a neighbor in a subway train,
How at the corner of this avenue
And such a street (so are the papers filled)
A hurrying man—who happened to be you—
At noon to-day had happened to be killed,
I should not cry aloud—I could not cry
Aloud, or wring my hands in such a place—
I should but watch the station lights rush by
With a more careful interest on my face,
Or raise my eyes and read with greater care
Where to store furs and how to treat the hair.
The first thing to note is the use of the conditional tense. The speaker is imagining a scenario in which she learns of her beloved's death "in some quite casual way." This sets the tone for the entire poem, which is tinged with a sense of inevitability and loss. The use of the word "casual" is interesting, as it suggests that the news of the death is unexpected and sudden, but also that it is not given the weight or importance it deserves. This is a clever way for Millay to convey the sense of shock and disbelief that often accompanies sudden loss.
The second line is similarly matter-of-fact: "That you were gone, not to return again." There is no melodrama or grandiosity here; the speaker simply states the fact of the matter. This is a hallmark of Millay's style, which is spare and precise. She doesn't waste words or emotions, but instead focuses on the essential details.
The third and fourth lines introduce a specific scenario: the speaker learns of the death from "the back-page of a paper, say, / held by a neighbor in a subway train." This is a clever way to illustrate the idea of the news being delivered in a casual, almost incidental way. The fact that the information comes from a newspaper, rather than a personal phone call or visit, further emphasizes the sense of detachment and impersonality.
In the fifth and sixth lines, Millay uses the imagery of a newspaper to create a sense of impersonal distance. The papers are "filled" with stories of death and tragedy, and the specific location of the accident is just one more detail in a long list of news items. The use of the word "hurrying" to describe the man who was killed adds a sense of urgency and danger to the scene, but also underscores the idea that life goes on, even in the midst of tragedy.
The seventh and eighth lines introduce the specific identity of the person who has died: "who happened to be you." This is a clever way to create a sense of shock and surprise, as the reader realizes that the hypothetical scenario they are reading about is actually about the speaker's own beloved. The fact that the death is described as having "happened to be" suggests the random and arbitrary nature of tragedy, and underscores the notion that it could happen to anyone.
The ninth and tenth lines are perhaps the most poignant in the entire poem. The speaker says that she "should not cry aloud," even though she has just learned of the death of someone she loved deeply. This is a deeply human response, and one that many of us can relate to. The fact that the speaker is in a public place, surrounded by strangers, further emphasizes the sense of isolation and despair that accompanies grief.
In the eleventh and twelfth lines, the speaker describes how she would react to the news: by watching "the station lights rush by / with a more careful interest on my face." This is a subtle but powerful image, as it suggests that the speaker is trying to distract herself from the pain of the news by focusing on something else. The use of the word "careful" implies a sense of deliberation and control, as if the speaker is trying to keep her emotions in check.
The final two lines of the poem are perhaps the most enigmatic. The speaker says that she would "raise my eyes and read with greater care / where to store furs and how to treat the hair." This seems like an odd thing to do in the face of such a profound loss, but it's also a testament to the power of routine and the mundane. By focusing on something as trivial as hair care, the speaker is trying to regain a sense of normalcy in the midst of chaos.
Interpretation of the Poem
So, what does all of this mean? What is Millay trying to say with this poem? At its core, "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" is a meditation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of loss. The poem suggests that even the deepest and most meaningful relationships can be snatched away from us at any moment, and that the pain of that loss can be overwhelming.
At the same time, the poem is also a celebration of the resilience of the human spirit. The fact that the speaker is able to maintain a sense of control and composure in the face of such devastating news is a testament to the strength of the human will. The final lines of the poem suggest that, even in the midst of grief, we can find comfort in the familiar routines of everyday life.
Ultimately, "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" is a poem that reminds us of the preciousness of life and the importance of cherishing the people we love while we still have them. It's a poem that speaks to the human experience in a way that is both universal and deeply personal, and it's a work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way: A Poem of Reflection and Acceptance
Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that speaks to the human experience of loss and acceptance. If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way is a poem that explores the idea of coming to terms with the inevitable end of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the themes, structure, and language of the poem to understand its significance and relevance to our lives.
The poem begins with the speaker imagining a scenario in which they learn of their impending death in a casual way. The speaker says, "If I should learn, in some quite casual way, / That you were gone, not to return again—". This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is contemplative and introspective. The speaker is not lamenting the loss of a specific person, but rather reflecting on the idea of death itself.
The first stanza of the poem continues with the speaker imagining how they would react to the news of their own death. They say, "Read from the back-page of a paper, say, / Held by a neighbor in a subway train, / How at the corner of this avenue / And such a street (so are the papers filled) / A hurrying man—who happened to be you— / At noon to-day had happened to be killed." The speaker is imagining a scenario in which they learn of their own death in a detached and impersonal way. They are not surrounded by loved ones or given any special treatment. Instead, they learn of their death through a random encounter with a stranger.
The second stanza of the poem shifts to the speaker's reaction to their own death. They say, "You'd not have meant to, but I could have laughed— / Laughed out aloud to think I should be filled / With this despair, for if there's one thing clear, / It's that we all must die." The speaker is acknowledging the inevitability of death and accepting it with a sense of humor. They are not mourning their own death, but rather finding a way to cope with it.
The third stanza of the poem continues with the theme of acceptance. The speaker says, "There is no wit to find in someone gone, / And left a gaping hole, and empty place; / For there's no argument can bring him back; / Dead men are dead, and whereto can they rise?" The speaker is acknowledging the finality of death and the impossibility of reversing it. They are not trying to find a way to bring the dead back to life, but rather accepting their absence.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem concludes with the speaker reflecting on their own life. They say, "Never to laugh again! / There are things we know / That we shall learn no more. / Not in the earth, / The earth of life and love and laughter, / But in the sterile rifts of space, / Beaten and blown about / By that vast, / Merciless / Roar / Until we find ourselves, / Wingless, / Clawsless, / Clinging to the sheer face of a planetary stone— / Ages and ages / After the last gasp, / The last useless gesture, / The last defeat, / And the last betrayal— / Only to learn, / At last, / That it is sweet? / It is sweet / To know that if I perish / Planting my little apple tree, / And (round) its roots are gathered / The people who will see / That apples are not let to waste, / For this will be there fate: / They will be cider-makers, / And laugh at the world's cold hate." The speaker is reflecting on the idea that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can. They are not mourning their own death, but rather finding a way to make their life meaningful.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward. It consists of four stanzas, each with six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry. The language of the poem is also simple and straightforward, with no complex metaphors or allusions. This simplicity allows the poem to convey its message clearly and effectively.
In conclusion, If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way is a poem that explores the human experience of loss and acceptance. The speaker is not mourning their own death, but rather reflecting on the inevitability of death and finding a way to cope with it. The poem's structure and language are simple and straightforward, which allows it to convey its message clearly and effectively. This poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that we must make the most of it while we can.
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