'Witch-Wife' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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She is neither pink nor pale,And she never will be all mine;
She learned her hands in a fairy-tale,And her mouth on a valentine.She has more hair than she needs;In the sun 'tis a woe to me!
And her voice is a string of coloured beads,Or steps leading into the sea.She loves me all that she can,And her ways to my ways resign;But she was not made for any man,And she never will be all mine.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry Analysis of "Witch-Wife" by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Are you a fan of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry? If you are, then you must have heard of her poem "Witch-Wife." But have you ever really delved deep into its meaning and significance? In this literary analysis, we will explore the themes and symbolism present in this classic poem.

Background Information on the Poem

Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who is best known for her sonnets. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923, and her work has been widely anthologized and celebrated. "Witch-Wife" was published in 1923 as part of Millay's collection "A Few Figs from Thistles."

The poem is written in free verse and is composed of ten stanzas, each consisting of two lines. The poem is dedicated to Millay's husband, Eugene Boissevain, whom she had married the year before the poem's publication.

The Literal Meaning of "Witch-Wife"

At first glance, "Witch-Wife" seems to be about a woman who is a witch and her relationship with her husband. The poem is full of references to witchcraft and the supernatural. The first stanza begins with the line "She is neither pink nor pale" which suggests that the woman is not ordinary. The second stanza describes how the woman "rides astride" at night, which could be interpreted as her flying on a broomstick.

However, as we explore the poem further, we see that it is not just about a witch and her husband. The poem is about the power dynamic in a relationship and how the woman in the poem uses her supernatural abilities to control her husband.

The Symbolism in "Witch-Wife"

One of the most prominent symbols in "Witch-Wife" is the broomstick. In folklore, witches were believed to fly on broomsticks, and the broomstick is a symbol of their supernatural powers. In the poem, the woman "rides astride" on a broomstick, which suggests that she has power and control. The broomstick can also be interpreted as a phallic symbol, representing the woman's dominance over her husband.

Another symbol in the poem is the moon. The moon has long been associated with witchcraft and the supernatural. In the poem, the woman "follows" the moon, suggesting that she is guided by her own power and intuition. The moon can also be interpreted as a symbol of femininity and the woman's connection to her own feminine power.

The Theme of Power in "Witch-Wife"

The theme of power is central to "Witch-Wife." The woman in the poem has power over her husband, and she uses her supernatural abilities to control him. In the third stanza, the woman "puts a spell" on her husband, which suggests that she has the power to manipulate him.

The woman's power is not just limited to her supernatural abilities. In the fifth stanza, the woman is described as having "eyes like the wickedest things" which suggests that she has a seductive and alluring power over her husband. The woman's power over her husband is further emphasized in the seventh stanza when the husband is described as "bewitched" and unable to resist his wife's control.

The Feminist Message of "Witch-Wife"

"Witch-Wife" can also be interpreted as a feminist poem. The woman in the poem is powerful and in control, and she uses her power to subvert the traditional gender roles in a relationship. In the poem, the husband is described as "cooked and served and eaten" which suggests that he is subservient to his wife. This reversal of gender roles challenges the patriarchal norms of society and asserts the woman's right to power and autonomy.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Witch-Wife" is a complex poem that explores themes of power, control, and gender roles. The poem uses symbols and supernatural imagery to convey its message and challenge traditional norms of society. Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetry has stood the test of time, and "Witch-Wife" remains a powerful and thought-provoking work that continues to resonate with readers today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Witch-Wife: A Masterpiece of Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay is a renowned poet of the 20th century, known for her lyrical and romantic poetry. Her poem, "Poetry Witch-Wife," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of a poet's life and the power of poetry. The poem is a tribute to the poet's muse, who is portrayed as a witch-wife, a powerful and mysterious figure who inspires the poet's creativity.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the poet addressing her muse, the witch-wife. The second stanza describes the witch-wife's power and influence over the poet, while the third stanza is a plea to the witch-wife to continue to inspire the poet.

The first stanza begins with the poet addressing her muse, the witch-wife. The poet acknowledges the witch-wife's power and influence over her, stating that she is "a witch, a wife, who by her witchcraft / has enchanted me." The use of the word "witch" is significant, as it suggests that the muse is not just a source of inspiration but also a powerful and mysterious figure who has the ability to cast spells and enchant the poet.

The second stanza describes the witch-wife's power and influence over the poet. The poet describes how the witch-wife has "bound my soul with a spell" and how she has "filled my mouth with song." The use of the word "spell" suggests that the witch-wife has cast a magical spell over the poet, binding her to her muse and inspiring her to write poetry. The use of the word "song" suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a place of joy and happiness, as if the poet is singing a song of love and devotion to her muse.

The third stanza is a plea to the witch-wife to continue to inspire the poet. The poet begs the witch-wife not to leave her, stating that she is "afraid to lose thee." The use of the word "afraid" suggests that the poet is deeply attached to her muse and fears losing her. The poet also acknowledges that her muse is a powerful and mysterious figure, stating that she is "a witch, a wife, who by her spells and her charms / may break the spell that binds me."

The poem is a tribute to the power of poetry and the poet's muse. The use of the word "witch" suggests that the muse is not just a source of inspiration but also a powerful and mysterious figure who has the ability to cast spells and enchant the poet. The use of the word "spell" suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a place of magic and enchantment, as if the poet is under a spell cast by her muse. The use of the word "song" suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a place of joy and happiness, as if the poet is singing a song of love and devotion to her muse.

The poem is also a tribute to the poet's own creativity. The poet acknowledges that her muse is a powerful and mysterious figure, but she also acknowledges that her own creativity is a force to be reckoned with. The use of the word "spell" suggests that the poet's creativity is a magical force that can cast a spell over her readers, enchanting them with her words and her imagery.

In conclusion, "Poetry Witch-Wife" is a masterpiece of Edna St. Vincent Millay, capturing the essence of a poet's life and the power of poetry. The poem is a tribute to the poet's muse, who is portrayed as a witch-wife, a powerful and mysterious figure who inspires the poet's creativity. The use of the word "witch" suggests that the muse is not just a source of inspiration but also a powerful and mysterious figure who has the ability to cast spells and enchant the poet. The use of the word "spell" suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a place of magic and enchantment, as if the poet is under a spell cast by her muse. The use of the word "song" suggests that the poet's inspiration comes from a place of joy and happiness, as if the poet is singing a song of love and devotion to her muse.

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