'Wraith' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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"Thin Rain, whom are you haunting,
That you haunt my door?"
-Surely it is not I she's wanting;
Someone living here before-
"Nobody's in the house but me:
You may come in if you like and see."Thin as thread, with exquisite fingers,-
Have you seen her, any of you?-
Grey shawl, and leaning on the wind,
And the garden showing through?Glimmering eyes,-and silent, mostly,
Sort of a whisper, sort of a purr,
Asking something, asking it over,
If you get a sound from her.-Ever see her, any of you?-
Strangest thing I've ever known,-
Every night since I moved in,
And I came to be alone."Thin Rain, hush with your knocking!
You may not come in!
This is I that you hear rocking;
Nobody's with me, nor has been!"Curious, how she tried the window,-
Odd, the way she tries the door,-
Wonder just what sort of people
Could have had this house before . . .
Editor 1 Interpretation
Unveiling the Enigmatic Wraith: A Literary Criticism of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poem
Edna St. Vincent Millay was one of the most prominent poets of the 20th century, renowned for her lyrical and imaginative verses that captured the essence of love, death, and human emotions. Among her notable works is the enigmatic poem, "Wraith," which delves into the themes of loss, memory, and haunting. In this literary criticism, we will delve deep into the nuances of Millay's poem, exploring its structure, metaphors, and symbolism, and interpreting the hidden meanings that lie beneath its surface.
The Structure of "Wraith"
"Wraith" is a sonnet, comprising of fourteen lines, and adhering to the typical rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. However, the poem stands out from the traditional sonnet form, as it employs a combination of iambic pentameter and tetrameter, which creates a distinctive rhythm that accentuates the poem's themes of fragmentation and dislocation. Millay's use of enjambment (the continuation of a sentence beyond the line break) also adds to the poem's disjointed and fragmented structure, as the lines flow into each other without a clear break, much like the elusive and transient nature of the wraith itself.
Metaphors and Symbolism in "Wraith"
The central metaphor of "Wraith" is the eponymous spirit, which haunts the speaker's memories and emotions, and embodies the essence of her loss and grief. Millay describes the wraith as a "shadow," a "ghost," and a "vaporous breath," all of which evoke the image of something insubstantial and intangible, yet potent in its presence. The wraith is also described as a "pale and solitary star," which contrasts with the darkness of the speaker's despair, and suggests a glimmer of hope that shines through her sorrow.
Another metaphor that runs through the poem is that of the "broken glass," which symbolizes the shattered fragments of the speaker's memories, and the pain of trying to piece them together. Millay writes, "I cannot piece my shattered star, nor mend / A million amorous arrows aimed at my breast, / To keep for mornings never to return." The image of the "amorous arrows" suggests the speaker's yearning for a lost love, while the reference to "mornings never to return" highlights the irretrievable past and the futility of trying to hold onto it.
In addition to metaphors, "Wraith" also employs a range of other symbolic references, such as the "wood-thrush" that sings in the background, which suggests the natural cycle of life and death, and the inevitability of change. There are also references to Greek mythology, such as the "Siren's song," which alludes to the lure of temptation and the danger of losing oneself in the past.
Themes in "Wraith"
The themes of "Wraith" revolve around loss, memory, and haunting. The poem explores the speaker's struggle to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, and the way in which memories of that person continue to haunt her, like a wraith that cannot be laid to rest. The poem also delves into the nature of memory itself, and how it can be fragmented and distorted by time and emotion. The speaker's attempts to piece together her shattered memories and emotions are a poignant reflection of the human desire to hold onto the past, even when it is painful and elusive.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of transformation and change. The image of the wood-thrush singing in the background suggests the cyclical nature of life, and the way in which loss and grief are part of the natural order of things. The poem also implies that the speaker's experiences of loss and haunting can be transformative in themselves, as she learns to accept and embrace the inevitability of change.
Interpretation of "Wraith"
Interpreting "Wraith" requires a nuanced understanding of the poem's structure, metaphors, and themes. On the surface, the poem appears to be a lament for a lost love, and a meditation on the pain of memory and grief. However, a closer reading reveals a deeper sense of transformation and acceptance that emerges from the speaker's experiences.
One interpretation of the wraith is that it represents the speaker's own emotional state, and the way in which her grief and loss have taken on a life of their own. The wraith is both a haunting presence and a comforting one, as it embodies the essence of the speaker's lost love, while also offering a glimmer of hope and comfort.
The metaphor of the broken glass suggests that the speaker's memories and emotions are fragmented and dislocated, and that she is struggling to piece them together. However, the use of the wood-thrush as a symbol of transformation implies that the speaker's experiences of loss and grief are part of a natural cycle, and that they can lead to personal growth and renewal.
Finally, the allusions to Greek mythology, such as the Siren's song, suggest that the speaker's experiences are part of a broader human condition, and that the pain of memory and loss is a universal human experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Wraith" is a powerful and enigmatic poem that explores the themes of loss, memory, and haunting in a deeply personal and evocative way. Millay's use of metaphor, symbolism, and structure creates a sense of fragmentation and dislocation that reflects the speaker's emotional state, while also suggesting a deeper sense of transformation and acceptance. Ultimately, the poem offers a poignant and poignant reflection on the nature of grief and loss, and the way in which they are part of the natural order of things.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Wraith: A Hauntingly Beautiful Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay was a prolific American poet, playwright, and feminist who lived from 1892 to 1950. Her works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and feminist themes. One of her most hauntingly beautiful poems is Poetry Wraith, which was first published in 1923 in her collection A Few Figs from Thistles. In this article, we will analyze and explain the meaning and significance of Poetry Wraith.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a wraith, a ghostly apparition, that she has summoned by her poetry. The wraith is described as a "shadowy thing" that "creeps and crawls" and "whispers and sighs." The speaker is both fascinated and frightened by the wraith, as she says, "I love you, Poetry Wraith, / But why do you come / Creeping and crawling / And whispering and sighing / Out of the dimness / Where I cannot see you?"
The wraith is a metaphor for the creative muse, the source of inspiration that drives poets and artists to create. The speaker is acknowledging that her poetry is not entirely her own creation, but rather a collaboration between herself and the wraith. She is both grateful for the wraith's inspiration and afraid of its power over her.
The second stanza of the poem describes the wraith's influence on the speaker's life. She says, "You have made me a stranger / To all that I knew, / And all that I loved / Is a memory to you." The wraith has transformed the speaker's life, making her feel like a stranger to her former self. The things that she once loved and cherished are now distant memories, replaced by the all-consuming passion for poetry.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and emotional. The speaker says, "You have taken my heart, / And left me alone, / With a soul that is torn / And a heart that is stone." The wraith has taken over the speaker's heart and soul, leaving her feeling alone and empty. The metaphor of a "heart that is stone" suggests that the speaker has become hardened and unfeeling, perhaps as a result of the wraith's influence.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem is a plea to the wraith to leave the speaker alone. She says, "Go back to the shadows, / Go back to the night, / And leave me to live / In the world of the light." The speaker is asking the wraith to release her from its grip and allow her to return to the world of the living. She wants to be free from the wraith's haunting presence and to live a normal life again.
The significance of Poetry Wraith lies in its exploration of the creative process and the price that artists pay for their art. The poem suggests that creativity is not entirely a conscious choice, but rather a force that takes hold of the artist and drives them to create. The wraith represents the creative muse, the source of inspiration that artists rely on to create their works. The poem suggests that this muse can be both a blessing and a curse, as it can transform the artist's life and leave them feeling isolated and alone.
The poem also explores the theme of sacrifice. The speaker has given up everything she once loved in order to pursue her art. She has sacrificed her relationships, her emotions, and her sense of self in order to create. The metaphor of a "heart that is stone" suggests that the speaker has become hardened and unfeeling as a result of her sacrifices.
In conclusion, Poetry Wraith is a hauntingly beautiful masterpiece that explores the creative process and the price that artists pay for their art. The poem is a testament to the power of the creative muse and the transformative effect that it can have on the artist's life. It is a reminder that creativity is not always a conscious choice, but rather a force that takes hold of the artist and drives them to create. Poetry Wraith is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to understand the creative process.
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