'Indifference' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I said,—for Love was laggard, O, Love was slow to come,—
"I'll hear his step and know his step when I am warm in
bed;
But I'll never leave my pillow, though there be some
As would let him in—and take him in with tears!" I said.
I lay,—for Love was laggard, O, he came not until dawn,—
I lay and listened for his step and could not get to sleep;
And he found me at my window with my big cloak on,
All sorry with the tears some folks might weep!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Indifference by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Critical Analysis
"Oh, I have been untrue to you, but you were never true," writes Edna St. Vincent Millay in her poem "Indifference." This line is the crux of the poem, and its paradoxical nature raises several questions. What does it mean to be untrue? And what does it mean to be true? Is it possible to be untrue and yet never be true? In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the meaning and significance of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Indifference."
Background
Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who rose to fame during the early 20th century. She was known for her lyrical style of poetry, which often dealt with themes of love and death. "Indifference" was written in 1917 and is one of her most famous poems.
Summary
"Indifference" is a short poem that consists of only eight lines. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style and is devoid of any complex metaphors or symbolism. Instead, the poem relies on the power of its words to convey a profound message.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that she has been untrue to someone. However, she quickly adds that the person she has been untrue to was never true to her either. The poem ends with the speaker declaring that she is "done with tears and laughter" and that she is content to live her life in indifference.
Analysis
The poem "Indifference" is a commentary on the nature of love and relationships. The speaker acknowledges that she has been unfaithful to someone, but at the same time, she also acknowledges that the person she has been unfaithful to was never true to her either. This creates a paradoxical situation where neither the speaker nor the person she has been unfaithful to is truly guilty or innocent.
The poem's central theme is indifference, which is reflected in the title itself. The speaker declares that she is "done with tears and laughter" and that she is content to live her life in indifference. This suggests that the speaker has given up on love and relationships and has resigned herself to a life of emotional detachment.
The poem's simplicity is its greatest strength. The poem is devoid of any complex metaphors or symbolism, which allows the words to speak for themselves. The poem's brevity also adds to its power. The poem is only eight lines long, yet it manages to convey a profound message about the nature of love and relationships.
Interpretation
The poem "Indifference" can be interpreted in several different ways. On one level, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the futility of love and relationships. The speaker acknowledges that she has been unfaithful to someone, but at the same time, she also acknowledges that the person she has been unfaithful to was never true to her either. This suggests that love and relationships are ultimately futile, as they are based on a foundation of untruths and betrayals.
On another level, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the power of indifference. The speaker declares that she is "done with tears and laughter" and that she is content to live her life in indifference. This suggests that indifference can be a powerful force, as it allows us to detach ourselves from the emotional turmoil of love and relationships.
Finally, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the nature of guilt and innocence. The speaker acknowledges that she has been unfaithful to someone, but at the same time, she also acknowledges that the person she has been unfaithful to was never true to her either. This creates a paradoxical situation where neither the speaker nor the person she has been unfaithful to is truly guilty or innocent.
Conclusion
"Indifference" is a powerful poem that explores the nature of love and relationships. The poem's simplicity is its greatest strength, as it allows the words to speak for themselves. The poem's central theme of indifference is reflected in the title itself, and the poem can be interpreted in several different ways. Ultimately, "Indifference" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Indifference: A Poem That Speaks to the Human Condition
Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Indifference" is a powerful piece of literature that speaks to the human condition. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love and the ways in which we often take it for granted. It is a call to action, urging us to recognize the value of love and to cherish it while we can.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "I have loved none but you." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the nature of love and the ways in which it can be lost. The speaker of the poem is addressing a lover, someone who has been the focus of their affection for some time. The speaker is expressing their devotion, their commitment to this person, and their desire to be with them forever.
But then the poem takes a turn. The speaker acknowledges that love is not always enough. They say, "I have been saddened by love." This line is a recognition of the fact that love can be painful, that it can cause us to suffer. The speaker is acknowledging that they have experienced this pain, that they have been hurt by the very thing that they cherish so much.
The poem then goes on to explore the idea of indifference. The speaker says, "I have known the inexorable sadness of pencils, / Neat in their boxes, dolor of pad and paperweight, / All the misery of manilla folders and mucilage, / Desolation in immaculate public places." These lines are a reflection on the ways in which we can become indifferent to the things that we once loved. The speaker is saying that love can become like a pencil in a box, something that we take for granted and no longer appreciate.
The poem then takes a more philosophical turn. The speaker says, "But there is always a but, isn't there?" This line is a recognition of the fact that life is full of contradictions, that there are always two sides to every story. The speaker then goes on to say, "This love has not ended." This line is a reaffirmation of the speaker's commitment to their lover. They are saying that despite the pain and the indifference, their love has not ended.
The poem then concludes with a powerful statement: "I am not resigned to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground." This line is a rejection of the idea that love must end, that it must be shut away and forgotten. The speaker is saying that they refuse to accept this fate, that they will fight to keep their love alive.
Overall, "Indifference" is a powerful poem that speaks to the human condition. It is a reflection on the nature of love and the ways in which we often take it for granted. It is a call to action, urging us to recognize the value of love and to cherish it while we can. The poem is a reminder that love can be painful, that it can cause us to suffer, but that it is also one of the most important things in life. It is a reminder that we must fight to keep our love alive, that we must never resign ourselves to the shutting away of loving hearts in the hard ground.
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