'The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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What should I be but a prophet and a liar,
Whose mother was a leprechaun, whose father was a friar?
Teethed on a crucifix and cradled under water,
What should I be but the fiend's god-daughter?
And who should be my playmates but the adder and the frog,
That was got beneath a furze-bush and born in a bog?
And what should be my singing, that was christened at an altar,
But Aves and Credos and Psalms out of the Psalter?
You will see such webs on the wet grass, maybe,
As a pixie-mother weaves for her baby,
You will find such flame at the wave's weedy ebb
As flashes in the meshes of a mer-mother's web,
But there comes to birth no common spawn
From the love of a priest for a leprechaun,
And you never have seen and you never will see
Such things as the things that swaddled me!
After all's said and after all's done,
What should I be but a harlot and a nun?
In through the bushes, on any foggy day,
My Da would come a-swishing of the drops away,
With a prayer for my death and a groan for my birth,
A-mumbling of his beads for all that he was worth.
And there'd sit my Ma, with her knees beneath her chin,
A-looking in his face and a-drinking of it in,
And a-marking in the moss some funny little saying
That would mean just the opposite of all that he was praying!
He taught me the holy-talk of Vesper and of Matin,
He heard me my Greek and he heard me my Latin,
He blessed me and crossed me to keep my soul from evil,
And we watched him out of sight, and we conjured up the devil!
Oh, the things I haven't seen and the things I haven't known,
What with hedges and ditches till after I was grown,
And yanked both way by my mother and my father,
With a "Which would you better?" and a " Which would you
rather?"
With him for a sire and her for a dam,
What should I be but just what I am?
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge: An Enchanting Journey
The Singing-Woman from the Wood's Edge is a masterful piece of poetry written by Edna St. Vincent Millay in 1921. The poem takes us on a journey through the woods, where we encounter a woman singing a melodious tune. The poem is crafted in such a way that we can almost hear the music, feel the breeze, and experience the magic of the woods. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used in the poem and attempt to unravel the meaning behind this enchanting masterpiece.
The Setting
The poem is set in a forest. The first stanza sets the scene with the line "Into the woods my Master went," and from there on, we are transported to a magical world where we encounter the singing-woman. The woods are described as "dim" and "still," creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The use of the word "dim" suggests that there is a lack of light, which adds to the eerie atmosphere of the woods. The word "still" suggests a lack of movement, which adds to the sense of solitude and isolation that the woods convey. The setting is crucial to the poem as it creates a sense of otherness, a place that is separate from the familiar world we inhabit. The woods become a place of magic and possibility, a place where we can encounter the unknown.
The Singing-Woman
The singing-woman is the central figure in the poem. She is described as "Old, and bent, and little," giving the impression that she is a frail and fragile figure. However, her voice is described as "full and free," suggesting that she possesses a strength and vitality that belies her physical appearance. Her song is described as a "melodious tune," which suggests that it is both beautiful and enchanting. The singing-woman is a symbol of the power of music to transcend physical limitations. She is a reminder that even though we may grow old and frail, our spirits can remain strong and vibrant.
The Master
The Master is mentioned in the first line of the poem, but we never find out who he is or what he is doing in the woods. The Master is likely a reference to God or some divine figure. The fact that he is mentioned but never appears in the poem adds to the sense of mystery and otherness that the woods create. The Master is a metaphor for the unknown and the unknowable. He represents the forces that govern the universe but that are beyond our understanding.
Themes
The Singing-Woman from the Wood's Edge explores various themes, including the power of music, the beauty of nature, and the transience of life. The central theme of the poem is the power of music. The singing-woman's song is described as a "melodious tune," which suggests that it has the power to soothe and comfort us. The fact that the singing-woman is old and frail adds to the power of her song. It is a reminder that even though we may grow old and lose our physical strength, our spirits can remain strong and vibrant.
The poem also explores the beauty of nature. The woods are described as "dim" and "still," creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The description of the woods is important as it creates a sense of separation from the mundane world. The woods become a place of magic and possibility, a place where we can encounter the unknown. The singing-woman is a part of this magical world, and her song is a reminder of the beauty and wonder that can be found in nature.
Finally, the poem explores the transience of life. The singing-woman is old and frail, and her song is a reminder that life is fleeting. The fact that the singing-woman's song can bring comfort and joy despite the transience of life adds to its power. The poem is a reminder that even though life may be short, it is still beautiful and meaningful.
Literary Devices
The Singing-Woman from the Wood's Edge uses various literary devices to create a sense of magic and wonder. The use of imagery is particularly effective. The woods are described as "dim" and "still," creating a sense of mystery and intrigue. The singing-woman is described as "old, and bent, and little," creating a sense of frailty and vulnerability. The use of contrast between the singing-woman's physical appearance and the power of her song adds to the sense of magic and wonder that the poem creates.
The poem also uses personification. The singing-woman's song is described as "full and free," suggesting that it has a life of its own. The fact that the song can bring comfort and joy despite the transience of life adds to its power. The singing-woman becomes a metaphor for the power of music to transcend physical limitations.
The use of repetition is also effective. The phrase "my heart could cry aloud" is repeated twice in the poem. The repetition creates a sense of urgency and emotional intensity, suggesting that the singing-woman's song has a profound emotional impact on the listener.
Interpretation
The Singing-Woman from the Wood's Edge is a beautiful and enchanting poem that explores the power of music and the beauty of nature. The singing-woman is a symbol of the power of music to transcend physical limitations, and her song is a reminder that even though we may grow old and frail, our spirits can remain strong and vibrant. The woods are a place of magic and possibility, a place where we can encounter the unknown. The poem is a reminder that even though life may be short, it is still beautiful and meaningful. The Singing-Woman from the Wood's Edge is a masterpiece of poetry that will continue to enchant and captivate readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge: A Masterpiece of Poetic Imagination
Edna St. Vincent Millay's The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that captures the essence of nature and the human spirit. The poem is a celebration of life, love, and the beauty of the natural world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with a description of a woman singing in the woods. The speaker is drawn to her voice and is captivated by her song. The woman's singing is described as "wild and sweet" and the speaker is "enchanted" by it. The imagery of the woods and the singing woman creates a sense of magic and mystery. The woods are a place of wonder and enchantment, where anything is possible.
The singing woman is described as "fair" and "young," and her voice is compared to the "silver strings" of a harp. The imagery of the harp creates a sense of beauty and elegance. The woman's singing is not just a sound, but a work of art. It is something to be admired and appreciated.
As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more and more entranced by the singing woman. The woman's voice is described as "thrilling" and "rapturous." The speaker is "spellbound" by her song and cannot help but be drawn to her. The imagery of the spell creates a sense of magic and enchantment. The singing woman has cast a spell on the speaker, and she cannot resist her charms.
The poem then takes a turn, and the speaker begins to question the singing woman's motives. The woman's song is described as "strange" and "mystical." The speaker wonders if the woman is trying to lure her into the woods. The imagery of the woods as a dangerous place creates a sense of fear and uncertainty. The speaker is no longer sure if she can trust the singing woman.
The poem ends with the speaker realizing that the singing woman is not trying to harm her. The woman's song is described as a "gift" and the speaker is grateful for it. The imagery of the gift creates a sense of appreciation and gratitude. The singing woman has given the speaker something precious, and she is thankful for it.
The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge is a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the human spirit. The imagery of the woods and the singing woman creates a sense of magic and enchantment. The poem is a reminder that there is beauty and wonder in the world, and that we should appreciate it. The poem also explores the themes of trust and gratitude. The speaker is initially unsure if she can trust the singing woman, but in the end, she realizes that the woman's song is a gift, and she is grateful for it.
The language of the poem is rich and evocative. Millay's use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the woods and the singing woman. The language is also musical, with the repetition of words and phrases creating a sense of rhythm and melody. The poem is a work of art, both in its language and its imagery.
In conclusion, The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge is a classic poem that celebrates the beauty of nature and the human spirit. The poem is a reminder that there is magic and wonder in the world, and that we should appreciate it. The poem also explores the themes of trust and gratitude, reminding us to be thankful for the gifts we receive. Millay's use of language and imagery creates a work of art that is both beautiful and meaningful. The Singing-Woman From The Wood's Edge is a masterpiece of poetic imagination that will continue to inspire and captivate readers for generations to come.
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