'Alms' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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My heart is what it was before,
A house where people come and go;
But it is winter with your love,
The sashes are beset with snow.
I light the lamp and lay the cloth,
I blow the coals to blaze again;
But it is winter with your love,
The frost is thick upon the pane..
I know a winter when it comes:
The leaves are listless on the boughs;
I watched your love a little while,
And brought my plants into the house.
I water them and turn them south,
I snap the dead brown from the stem;
But it is winter with your love,
I only tend and water them.
There was a time I stood and watched
The small, ill-natured sparrows' fray;
I loved the beggar that I fed,
I cared for what he had to say,
I stood and watched him out of sight:
Today I reach around the door
And set a bowl upon the step;
My heart is what it was before,
But it is winter with your love;
I scatter crumbs upon the sill,
And close the window, —and the birds
May take or leave them, as they will.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Alms"
Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry is known for its sharp wit, playful language, and poignant observations about love and humanity. Her poem "Alms" is no exception. Published in 1921, "Alms" explores themes of poverty, wealth, and human compassion in a way that feels just as relevant today as it did a century ago. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we'll dive into the meaning behind "Alms" and explore how Millay's use of language and form contributes to the poem's overall impact.
Breaking Down "Alms"
First, let's take a look at the poem itself:
My heart is what it was before,
A house where people come and go;
But it is winter with your love,
The sashes are beset with snow.
I light the lamp and lay the cloth,
I blow the coals to blaze again;
But it is winter with your love,
The frost is thick upon the pane.
I know a winter when it comes:
The leaves are listless on the boughs;
I watched your love a little while,
And brought my plants into the house.
I water them and turn them south,
I snap the dead brown from the stem;
But it is winter with your love,--
I only tend and water them.
There was a time I stood and watched
The small, ill-natured sparrows' fray;
I loved the beggar that I fed,
I cared for what he had to say,
I stood and watched him out of sight;
Today I reach around the door
And set a bowl upon the step;
My heart is strange and full of care
And like the puddle in the lane,
My heart lies frozen in the air;
But it is winter with your love,
The sashes are beset with snow.
"Alms" is a 14-line poem written in free verse, meaning it doesn't follow a strict rhyme or meter pattern. Instead, Millay plays with language and form to create a sense of emotional tension and uncertainty. The poem is broken up into four stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of the speaker's emotions.
In the first stanza, the speaker sets the scene by describing their heart as "a house where people come and go." This metaphor suggests that the speaker's heart is a place of constant activity and motion, which could imply that the speaker is a social person who enjoys spending time with others. However, the second line reveals that the speaker is experiencing "winter with your love," meaning that they are feeling cold and isolated due to the absence or distance of a loved one.
The second stanza continues this metaphor by describing the speaker's attempts to create warmth and comfort in their home. They light a lamp and lay the cloth, but still, "the frost is thick upon the pane." This contrast between the speaker's efforts and the harsh reality of the winter outside suggests that their attempts to create warmth and comfort are futile without the presence of their loved one.
In the third stanza, the speaker shifts their focus to the natural world, describing the listlessness of the leaves on the trees outside. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the speaker's own emotional state, which feels stagnant and lifeless without the presence of their loved one. The speaker also mentions their plants, which they tend to and care for, but only out of habit rather than genuine interest.
Finally, in the fourth stanza, the speaker recalls a time when they cared for others, such as the beggar they fed and the small sparrows they watched. However, now the speaker's heart is "strange and full of care," and their emotions are compared to a frozen puddle in the lane. The final line of the poem brings us back to the image of winter and snow, emphasizing the speaker's feelings of isolation and loneliness.
Interpreting the Meaning of "Alms"
So what does all of this mean? "Alms" is a deeply personal and emotional poem that explores the speaker's feelings of loneliness and isolation. The winter and snow imagery throughout the poem suggests that the speaker is experiencing a cold and emotionally distant period in their life. The metaphor of the house suggests that the speaker is normally someone who enjoys being around others, but without the presence of their loved one, their heart feels empty and still.
The final stanza is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the speaker's loneliness has caused them to withdraw and become less caring towards others. The contrast between the speaker's past self, who loved to care for others, and their current self, who sets a bowl on the step but seemingly without much enthusiasm, suggests that the speaker is struggling to connect with the world around them.
Of course, there are many ways to interpret "Alms," and one of the joys of poetry is that it can mean different things to different people. Some readers might interpret the poem as a commentary on poverty and the importance of giving to those in need, given the mention of "alms" in the title. Others might see it as a reflection on the nature of love and longing, or a meditation on the effects of seasonal depression.
Examining Millay's Use of Language and Form
One of the reasons that "Alms" is such a powerful and impactful poem is because of the way that Millay uses language and form to create a sense of emotional depth and tension. The lack of strict rhyme or meter allows Millay to play with the rhythm and sound of the poem, using repetition and alliteration to create a sense of unity and continuity. For example, the repetition of "But it is winter with your love" in the second and fourth stanzas emphasizes the speaker's sense of isolation and detachment.
Millay also uses vivid imagery to bring the poem to life, from the frost on the windows to the dead brown plants. These images allow readers to picture the scene in their minds and to connect with the emotions of the speaker. The metaphor of the house and the winter landscape create a sense of contrast and tension, suggesting that the speaker is trying to create warmth and comfort in a world that feels cold and empty.
Finally, the poem's title, "Alms," adds an extra layer of meaning to the text. The word "alms" refers to charitable donations given to those in need, which could suggest that the speaker is asking for help or assistance from their loved one. Alternatively, it could suggest that the speaker is reflecting on their own ability to give and receive love, or the importance of empathy and compassion in the world.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Alms" is a powerful and emotionally wrought poem that explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and empathy through vivid language and form. Millay's use of metaphor, imagery, and repetition creates a sense of depth and tension that allows readers to connect with the speaker's emotions and experiences. Whether interpreted as a commentary on poverty or as a meditation on love and longing, "Alms" remains a timeless and impactful work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Alms by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that explores the themes of poverty, charity, and the human condition. The poem is a powerful commentary on the nature of giving and the impact it can have on both the giver and the receiver. In this analysis, we will explore the meaning and significance of Alms, examining the language, structure, and imagery used by Millay to convey her message.
The poem begins with a description of a beggar on the street, asking for alms from passersby. The speaker of the poem observes the beggar and reflects on the nature of poverty and the human response to it. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, establishing the theme of charity and the idea that giving is a fundamental part of the human experience.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's own experience of poverty. The speaker describes a time when they themselves were in need of alms, and how they felt when they received them. This personal connection to poverty adds depth and emotion to the poem, making it more relatable and impactful.
The third stanza of the poem is where Millay really begins to explore the complexities of giving. The speaker reflects on the different motivations people have for giving, and how these motivations can impact the effectiveness of the act of giving. The line "Some give their money, some their time, some give their hearts away" highlights the different ways in which people can give, and suggests that the most effective giving comes from a place of genuine compassion and empathy.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as it explores the impact that giving can have on the giver. The line "For such as I the little weed, before the solemn, mocking shrine" suggests that the act of giving can be a humbling experience, forcing the giver to confront their own privilege and the suffering of others. This idea is further developed in the final stanza of the poem, where the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of wealth and the importance of using it to help others.
One of the most striking aspects of Alms is the use of imagery throughout the poem. Millay uses vivid, sensory language to create a vivid picture of poverty and the act of giving. The line "The sun beats down, and on the stones / The sultry locusts rest and whir" creates a sense of oppressive heat and stillness, emphasizing the harshness of the beggar's situation. Similarly, the line "The little weed, an humble thing, / Before the solemn, mocking shrine" creates a powerful image of the speaker's own humility in the face of poverty and suffering.
The structure of the poem is also significant, with each stanza building on the themes and ideas introduced in the previous one. The use of repetition, particularly in the first and final stanzas, creates a sense of unity and coherence, emphasizing the central message of the poem.
In conclusion, Alms by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of poverty, charity, and the human condition. Through vivid imagery, careful structure, and insightful commentary, Millay encourages us to reflect on the nature of giving and the impact it can have on both the giver and the receiver. This poem is a timeless reminder of the importance of compassion and empathy in our interactions with others, and a call to action for those who have the means to help those in need.
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