'Intention To Escape From Him' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I think I will learn some beautiful language, useless for commercial
Purposes, work hard at that.
I think I will learn the Latin name of every songbird, not only in
America but wherever they sing.
(Shun meditation, though; invite the controversial:
Is the world flat? Do bats eat cats?) By digging hard I might
deflect that river, my mind, that uncontrollable thing,
Turgid and yellow, srong to overflow its banks in spring,
carrying away bridges
A bed of pebbles now, through which there trickles one clear
narrow stream, following a course henceforth nefast—
Dig, dig; and if I come to ledges, blast.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Intention To Escape From Him: A Detailed Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Intention To Escape From Him is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay, an American poet who lived from 1892 to 1950. This poem was published in 1923, and it is one of her most well-known works. It is a poem about love and the desire to be free from a relationship that is suffocating.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, symbols, and literary devices. We will also discuss the historical context in which it was written and the relevance of the poem to contemporary readers.
Historical Context
To understand the historical context in which Intention To Escape From Him was written, we must look at the social and cultural milieu of the early twentieth century. In the 1920s, the world was recovering from the trauma of World War I, and there was a sense of disillusionment and cynicism among many people. This was also a time of significant cultural change, as women began to assert themselves more and demand greater freedom and equality.
Edna St. Vincent Millay was an important figure in this cultural shift, as she was known for her bold and independent spirit. She was a feminist and a free thinker, and her poetry often explored themes of love, sexuality, and individualism. This context is crucial to understanding the themes of Intention To Escape From Him, as it is a poem that challenges traditional gender roles and expectations.
Themes
One of the central themes of Intention To Escape From Him is the desire for freedom. The speaker of the poem is in a relationship that is suffocating, and she longs to escape from it. She expresses this desire through vivid and powerful imagery, using metaphors such as "I will whet my tongue like a knife" and "I will fight like a fever." These metaphors suggest that the speaker is willing to do whatever it takes to break free from her lover's grasp.
Another theme of the poem is the conflict between love and freedom. The speaker acknowledges that she loves her partner, but she cannot tolerate the restrictions that their relationship imposes on her. This is a common theme in Millay's poetry, as she often explored the tension between romantic love and individual freedom.
Symbols and Literary Devices
Intention To Escape From Him makes use of several symbols and literary devices to convey its message. One of the most striking symbols in the poem is the image of the bird. The speaker compares herself to a bird who is trapped in a cage, unable to fly free. This metaphor is a powerful one, as it suggests that the speaker's desire for freedom is instinctual and natural, like a bird's need to fly.
The poem also makes use of several literary devices, including metaphor, personification, and hyperbole. For example, the speaker compares her lover to a "cage," using personification to give the object human-like qualities. She also uses hyperbole to exaggerate the intensity of her desire for freedom, saying that she will "whet her tongue like a knife" and "fight like a fever."
Interpretation
Intention To Escape From Him is a poem that speaks to the human desire for freedom and individuality. The speaker's struggle to break free from a suffocating relationship is a common experience, and many readers will relate to the powerful emotions that the poem evokes.
The poem also challenges traditional gender roles and expectations, as the speaker is a strong and independent woman who refuses to be confined by societal norms. This is a theme that is still relevant today, as women continue to fight for equality and freedom in a world that often seeks to limit them.
In conclusion, Intention To Escape From Him is a powerful and moving poem that explores universal themes of love, freedom, and individualism. Its vivid imagery, striking symbols, and literary devices make it a testament to Edna St. Vincent Millay's skill as a poet, and its relevance to contemporary readers is a testament to its enduring power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Intention To Escape From Him: A Poem of Love and Freedom
Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, wrote a poem that captures the essence of love, longing, and the desire for freedom. "Intention To Escape From Him" is a powerful and evocative piece that explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the struggle to maintain one's individuality within them. In this article, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem, and explore the themes and literary devices that Millay employs to convey her message.
The poem begins with a declaration of intent: "I think I will learn some beautiful language, / useless for commercial purposes, / work hard at that." The speaker is expressing her desire to escape from her current situation, to break free from the constraints of her relationship and explore new possibilities. She wants to learn a new language, one that is beautiful and useless, something that has no practical value in the world of commerce. This desire for something that is purely aesthetic and artistic is a reflection of the speaker's need for self-expression and creativity.
The next stanza continues this theme of escape and freedom: "I shall not become a nun, / But one of the Papagena opera troupe." Here, the speaker is rejecting the idea of a conventional life, one that is defined by societal norms and expectations. She does not want to become a nun, a symbol of religious devotion and celibacy, but instead wants to join an opera troupe, a group of performers who are known for their flamboyance and passion. This desire for a life of art and performance is a reflection of the speaker's need for self-expression and creativity.
The third stanza introduces the character of the lover, the one from whom the speaker wishes to escape: "I shall sing for nothing but the love of the singing, / And the love of him who hears." The speaker acknowledges that her desire for freedom and self-expression is inextricably linked to her love for her partner. She wants to sing not for money or fame, but for the sheer joy of it, and for the pleasure of her lover's company. This is a powerful statement of the importance of love in the speaker's life, and a recognition that her desire for freedom is not a rejection of her partner, but a desire to be true to herself.
The fourth stanza introduces a note of conflict and tension: "I shall not be a commonplace and convenient woman, / Sufficiently organized to be efficient, / But not so frankly individual as to be labeled." Here, the speaker is acknowledging the pressure that society places on women to conform to certain standards of behavior and appearance. She does not want to be a "commonplace and convenient woman," someone who is efficient and organized but lacks individuality and creativity. At the same time, she does not want to be labeled as too individualistic or unconventional, as this would make her a target for criticism and ridicule. This tension between conformity and individuality is a central theme of the poem, and one that resonates with many readers.
The fifth stanza introduces a note of ambiguity and uncertainty: "Oh no, I shall not be labeled, but woman, / But a series of gestures not to be found in the / Gesture book." Here, the speaker is suggesting that her desire for freedom and self-expression may not fit neatly into any preconceived categories or labels. She wants to be a woman, but not in the conventional sense, and she wants to express herself through gestures and actions that are not prescribed by any rulebook or convention. This ambiguity and uncertainty is a reflection of the speaker's struggle to define herself and her desires, and her recognition that the path to freedom is not always clear or easy.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion: "Let him not say 'it is not professional,' / But allow himself the unprofessional, / Else why did he come to me, and / Why did he lie in my arms." Here, the speaker is challenging her partner to accept her desire for freedom and self-expression, and to recognize that their love is not just a professional or practical arrangement, but a deeply emotional and personal connection. She is asking him to embrace the unprofessional, the unconventional, and the artistic, and to recognize that these things are essential to her sense of self and her happiness. This final stanza is a powerful statement of the importance of love, freedom, and self-expression, and a reminder that these things are worth fighting for.
In terms of literary devices, "Intention To Escape From Him" is a masterful example of Millay's skill as a poet. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and improvisation. The use of enjambment, where the lines run on without punctuation, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, and allows the poem to flow naturally from one idea to the next. The use of repetition, particularly in the phrase "I shall," creates a sense of momentum and determination, and reinforces the speaker's desire for freedom and self-expression.
In conclusion, "Intention To Escape From Him" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of romantic relationships and the struggle to maintain one's individuality within them. Through its use of language, imagery, and literary devices, the poem conveys a message of love, freedom, and self-expression that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to Millay's skill as a poet, and a reminder of the enduring power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its richness and complexity.
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