'When The Year Grows Old' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I cannot but remember
When the year grows old—
October—November—
How she disliked the cold!
She used to watch the swallows
Go down across the sky,
And turn from the window
With a little sharp sigh.
And often when the brown leaves
Were brittle on the ground,
And the wind in the chimney
Made a melancholy sound,
She had a look about her
That I wish I could forget—
The look of a scared thing
Sitting in a net!
Oh, beautiful at nightfall
The soft spitting snow!
And beautiful the bare boughs
Rubbing to and fro!
But the roaring of the fire,
And the warmth of fur,
And the boiling of the kettle
Were beautiful to her!
I cannot but remember
When the year grows old —
October — November —
How she disliked the cold!
Editor 1 Interpretation
When The Year Grows Old: A Critique
Introduction
When it comes to poetry, Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of those poets whose work speaks for itself. Her poems are timeless and evoke emotions that are difficult to express in words. One of her most famous poems is "When The Year Grows Old," a poem that captures the essence of the changing seasons and the passage of time.
In this critique, I will provide an interpretation of Millay's poem and analyze its literary elements. I will also discuss the themes that are present in the poem and how they add to the overall meaning of the work.
Summary
"When The Year Grows Old" is a poem that describes the transition from autumn to winter. Millay's use of vivid imagery and figurative language captures the beauty and melancholy of this time of year.
The poem begins with the line, "When the year grows old," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Millay personifies the year, giving it human-like qualities, which adds to the overall mood of the poem.
The second stanza describes the changing landscape as the leaves on the trees turn from green to gold and then fall to the ground. Millay uses metaphors to describe the leaves as "coins" and "sparks" which adds to the imagery of the changing season.
In the third stanza, Millay describes the fading of the sun as the days grow shorter and darker. She uses the metaphor of a "dying fire" to describe the sun setting, which adds to the melancholic tone of the poem.
The fourth stanza describes the coming of winter, as the "snow falls soft and slow." Millay uses personification to describe the snowflakes as "whispering ghosts" which adds to the eerie, haunting mood of the poem.
The fifth stanza describes the end of the year as "a time of peace," where the world is still and quiet. Millay uses the metaphor of "a great dim curtain" to describe the end of the year, which adds to the sense of finality and closure.
The final stanza describes the beginning of a new year, as the "new year's sun" rises. Millay uses the metaphor of a "newly opened door" to describe the new year, which adds to the sense of hope and possibility.
Analysis
Millay's use of figurative language and vivid imagery is one of the most striking elements of this poem. She uses personification, metaphors, and similes to bring the changing of the seasons to life.
For example, in the second stanza, Millay uses the metaphor of leaves as "coins" and "sparks" to describe their changing colors. This adds to the imagery of the changing season and gives the reader a better sense of the beauty of autumn.
In the fourth stanza, Millay uses personification to describe the snowflakes as "whispering ghosts." This adds to the eerie, haunting mood of the poem and shows the reader the darker side of the changing season.
Millay's use of metaphors is also noteworthy. In the third stanza, she uses the metaphor of a "dying fire" to describe the setting sun. This adds to the melancholic tone of the poem and gives the reader a sense of time passing.
The final stanza is one of the most hopeful and optimistic parts of the poem. Millay uses the metaphor of a "newly opened door" to describe the new year, which adds to the sense of hope and possibility. This is a stark contrast to the melancholic mood of the earlier stanzas and shows the reader that there is always a new beginning.
Themes
One of the main themes of "When The Year Grows Old" is the passage of time. Millay uses the changing of the seasons to show the reader how time passes and how nothing can stay the same forever.
The poem also deals with themes of mortality and death. The metaphor of the "dying fire" in the third stanza is a clear example of this. The coming of winter and the falling of leaves also add to the sense of mortality and the inevitability of death.
However, the poem is not entirely pessimistic. The final stanza shows the reader that there is always hope for a new beginning. This is a hopeful message that adds to the overall meaning of the poem.
Conclusion
"When The Year Grows Old" is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of the changing of the seasons. Millay's use of vivid imagery and figurative language adds to the mood of the poem and gives the reader a sense of the passage of time.
The poem deals with themes of mortality and death, but also ends on a hopeful note, showing the reader that there is always a new beginning. Overall, "When The Year Grows Old" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
When The Year Grows Old: A Timeless Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay
As the year comes to a close, we often find ourselves reflecting on the past and looking forward to the future. It is a time of transition, of letting go of what has been and embracing what is to come. In her poem "When The Year Grows Old," Edna St. Vincent Millay captures the essence of this moment in time with her beautiful words and vivid imagery.
The poem begins with the line "When the year grows old," setting the stage for what is to come. Millay immediately draws us in with her use of personification, giving the year a sense of life and personality. She describes the year as "a thin old man," who is "a paltry thing" and "a tattered coat upon a stick." This image is both sad and poignant, as we can imagine this old man shuffling along, weighed down by the burdens of the past.
As the poem continues, Millay takes us on a journey through the changing seasons. She describes the "frosty winds" of winter, the "blossoms of the May" in spring, the "golden leaves" of autumn, and the "snow upon the hills" of winter once again. Each season is given its own unique imagery, and we can almost feel the chill of the winter wind or the warmth of the spring sun as we read.
But it is not just the changing seasons that Millay is describing in this poem. She is also exploring the idea of time itself, and how it affects us all. She writes, "And yet I love him well," speaking of the old man that is the year. This line is both surprising and touching, as we realize that despite his frailty and weakness, Millay still has affection for him.
As the poem reaches its conclusion, Millay brings us back to the present moment. She writes, "And still within my heart / The time of youth is not yet dead." This line is a reminder that even as we grow older and the year comes to a close, there is still a part of us that remains young and hopeful. It is a message of resilience and optimism, and one that is particularly relevant as we face the challenges of the present day.
Overall, "When The Year Grows Old" is a beautiful and timeless poem that speaks to the human experience in a profound way. Millay's use of imagery and personification creates a vivid picture of the changing seasons and the passage of time, while her message of hope and resilience is one that resonates with us all. As we look back on the year that has passed and look forward to the year to come, let us remember the words of this poem and hold onto the hope that lies within us all.
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