'Scrub' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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If I grow bitterly,
Like a gnarled and stunted tree,
Bearing harshly of my youth
Puckered fruit that sears the mouth;
If I make of my drawn boughs
An Inshospitable House,
Out of which I nevery pry
Towards the water and the sky,
Under which I stand and hide
And hear the day go by outside;
It is that a wind to strong
Bent my back when I was young,
It is that I fear the rain
Lest it blister me again.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Scrub by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry
If you're looking for a poem that captures the mood and ethos of the Modernist movement, you can't go wrong with Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Scrub". First published in her 1921 collection "A Few Figs from Thistles", this short but powerful poem is a tour de force of linguistic playfulness, sharp imagery, and subversive wit. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the key themes and stylistic features of "Scrub", and argue that it remains a relevant and resonant work of art almost a century after its initial publication.
Historical and Biographical Context
Before diving into the poem itself, it's helpful to consider the context in which it was written. Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in 1892 in Maine and grew up in a financially struggling but intellectually rich family. She showed an early talent for writing poetry and won a scholarship to Vassar College, where she became involved in the feminist and bohemian circles of the time. After graduation, she moved to Greenwich Village in New York City and became part of the literary and artistic avant-garde of the 1910s and 1920s. She was known for her unconventional lifestyle, her bisexuality, and her strong political views, particularly on women's rights and social justice.
"Scrub" was published at a crucial juncture in Millay's career, when she was establishing herself as one of the leading voices of the Modernist movement. Modernism was a cultural and artistic movement that emerged in the early 20th century as a response to the social, political, and technological changes of the time. It rejected traditional forms and conventions of art and literature, and embraced experimentation, fragmentation, and individualism. Modernist writers sought to capture the complexity and ambiguity of modern life and to challenge the reader's assumptions and expectations. "Scrub" embodies many of these Modernist values and techniques, as we'll see.
Poetic Form and Structure
"Scrub" is a poem of only six lines, but its brevity is deceptive. The poem packs a punch with its vivid imagery, precise diction, and subtle wordplay. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it doesn't follow a strict rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, it relies on the rhythm and sound of the language to create its effects.
The poem consists of two stanzas of three lines each, with a caesura (a pause or break) after the second line of each stanza. This creates a sense of interruption or hesitation, as if the speaker is struggling to convey her thoughts or emotions. The first stanza describes a landscape of rocks, thorns, and scrubby trees, while the second stanza shifts to a more abstract and metaphorical register, using the imagery of stars and blackness to evoke a sense of melancholy or disillusionment.
Key Themes and Motifs
One of the most striking features of "Scrub" is its use of imagery and symbolism to convey multiple layers of meaning. The poem is full of motifs that recur throughout Millay's work, such as the contrast between wilderness and civilization, the tension between individualism and conformity, and the existential despair of modern life.
The title of the poem, "Scrub", is itself a loaded term that can refer to both the scrubby vegetation of a barren landscape and to the act of scrubbing or cleaning. This double meaning sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a contrast between the natural world and the human desire to control or eradicate it. The first stanza describes a scene of barrenness and desolation, with rocks and thorns that evoke a sense of harshness and isolation. The trees are described as "scrub", a term that connotes insignificance or worthlessness, as if they were mere obstacles to be cleared away.
In the second stanza, the symbolism becomes more abstract and introspective. The speaker describes the stars as "black as ink", a reversal of the conventional image of stars as shining and luminous. This inversion hints at a deeper sense of disillusionment or despair, as if the universe were devoid of meaning or purpose. The speaker's use of first-person pronouns (I and me) and her repetition of the phrase "I am alone" reinforce this sense of isolation and alienation. The poem ends with a question, "What shall I do?", that suggests a lack of agency or direction, as if the speaker were overwhelmed by the existential void around her.
Stylistic Features and Language Play
One of the hallmarks of Modernist poetry is its use of linguistic playfulness and experimentation. "Scrub" is no exception, as it showcases Millay's mastery of wordplay, puns, and allusions. The poem is full of subtle but powerful effects that enhance its impact on the reader.
One of the most striking examples of wordplay in the poem is the repeated use of the word "scrub". As noted above, this word can have multiple meanings, ranging from a type of vegetation to a verb meaning to clean or erase. The repetition of the word underscores the sense of futility and insignificance that pervades the poem, as if the speaker were trapped in a cycle of scrubbing away the natural world only to find herself alone and adrift.
Another example of language play in the poem is the use of alliteration and assonance to create a sense of music and rhythm. The first stanza, for example, contains the repeated sounds of "rocks", "thorns", and "scrub", which create a harsh and staccato effect. The second stanza, on the other hand, uses softer and more flowing sounds such as "stars", "black", and "ink", which evoke a sense of melancholy and introspection.
Finally, the poem is full of allusions and references that enrich its meaning and deepen its impact. For example, the use of the phrase "black as ink" echoes the famous line from Shakespeare's "Hamlet": "Oh my prophetic soul! My uncle!" This intertextual reference suggests a sense of foreboding and tragedy, as if the speaker were trapped in a Shakespearean drama of her own making. Similarly, the use of the phrase "I am alone" echoes the famous line from William Wordsworth's "The Prelude": "I wandered lonely as a cloud". This allusion reinforces the sense of isolation and introspection that pervades the poem, while also linking Millay's work to the Romantic tradition that preceded Modernism.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Scrub" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a masterful example of Modernist poetry that continues to resonate with readers today. Through its use of vivid imagery, subtle wordplay, and rich symbolism, the poem captures the sense of disillusionment and alienation that characterized the early 20th century. Its brevity and ambiguity invite multiple readings and interpretations, making it a rich and rewarding work of art. Whether read as a critique of civilization's destruction of nature, a meditation on existential despair, or a personal confession of loneliness and isolation, "Scrub" remains a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the human condition.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Scrub by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and the struggles that come with it. The poem is a beautiful representation of the human experience, and it is a testament to the power of language and poetry. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in Scrub to understand the poem's meaning and significance.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a scrubby hillside covered in weeds and thorns. The imagery used in this opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The hillside represents the struggles and challenges that we face in life, and the weeds and thorns represent the obstacles that we must overcome. The speaker then goes on to describe a bird that is perched on a branch, singing a beautiful song. The bird represents hope and resilience, and its song represents the beauty that can be found in even the most difficult situations.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of time. The speaker describes how the hillside has been there for a long time, and how it will continue to be there long after the speaker is gone. This theme of time is important because it highlights the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of the time we have. The speaker then goes on to describe how the bird's song is a reminder that time is passing, and that we must make the most of every moment.
The third stanza of the poem introduces the theme of mortality. The speaker describes how the bird's song is a reminder that life is short, and that we must make the most of it while we can. The speaker also describes how the bird's song is a reminder that death is inevitable, and that we must make the most of the time we have before it is too late. This theme of mortality is important because it reminds us that life is precious, and that we must make the most of it while we can.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of hope. The speaker describes how the bird's song is a reminder that there is always hope, even in the darkest of times. The speaker also describes how the bird's song is a reminder that there is beauty in the world, even in the midst of struggle and hardship. This theme of hope is important because it reminds us that no matter how difficult our lives may be, there is always a reason to keep going.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings all of these themes together. The speaker describes how the bird's song is a reminder that life is a struggle, but that there is beauty and hope to be found in that struggle. The speaker also describes how the bird's song is a reminder that we must make the most of the time we have, and that we must never give up hope. This final stanza is a powerful reminder that life is a journey, and that we must embrace all of its ups and downs.
The language used in Scrub is simple yet powerful. The imagery is vivid and evocative, and the themes are universal and timeless. The poem is a beautiful representation of the human experience, and it is a testament to the power of language and poetry. The poem reminds us that life is a struggle, but that there is beauty and hope to be found in that struggle. It reminds us that time is fleeting, and that we must make the most of every moment. And it reminds us that no matter how difficult our lives may be, there is always a reason to keep going.
In conclusion, Scrub by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that captures the essence of life and the struggles that come with it. The poem is a beautiful representation of the human experience, and it is a testament to the power of language and poetry. The themes, imagery, and language used in Scrub are universal and timeless, and the poem is a powerful reminder that life is a journey that we must embrace with all of its ups and downs.
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