'To The Not Impossible Him' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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How shall I know, unless I go
To Cairo and Cathay,
Whether or not this blessed spot
Is blest in every way?Now it may be, the flower for me
Is this beneath my nose:
How shall I tell, unless I smell
The Carthaginian rose?The fabric of my faithful love
No power shall dim or ravel
Whilst I stay here,-but oh, my dear,
If I should ever travel!

Editor 1 Interpretation

To The Not Impossible Him: A Criticism and Interpretation

Are you a fan of poetry that expresses deep emotions and conveys powerful messages? If yes, then "To The Not Impossible Him" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a must-read for you. This poem is a beautiful piece of literature that explores themes of love, longing, and hope. In this criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem's structure, language, and symbolism to understand its meaning and significance.

Overview of the Poem

To The Not Impossible Him is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme. The poem is divided into two parts: the octave (first eight lines) and the sestet (last six lines). The poem is written in iambic pentameter, a rhythmic pattern of ten syllables per line, with the stress on every other syllable.

In the poem, the speaker addresses a person whom she loves deeply but has not yet met. She speaks of her longing for this person and her hope that they will one day find each other. The poem's title, "To The Not Impossible Him," suggests that the speaker believes that the possibility of meeting this person is not impossible.

Analysis of the Poem

The Octave: Longing and Hope

The octave sets the tone for the poem and establishes the central theme of longing and hope. The speaker begins by addressing the person she loves and expressing her desire to meet him. She says, "How shall I know thee in the sphere which keeps/ The disembodied spirits of the dead?" (lines 1-2). Here, the speaker acknowledges the difficulty of finding this person, as they may be in a different realm or state of being.

However, the speaker does not lose hope and says, "I have a thirst that will not let me drink" (line 3). The speaker's thirst symbolizes her intense longing for this person, which cannot be quenched until she meets them. The phrase "will not let me drink" suggests that the speaker cannot satisfy her desire for love until she finds the person she longs for.

The speaker then describes how she will recognize this person: "Thou art the moon's pale sister, all the night/ Weeping beside her in her wanderings" (lines 5-6). Here, the speaker uses the moon as a symbol for the person she loves, suggesting that they are connected to the moon's beauty and mystery. The moon also symbolizes the speaker's longing and sadness, as she weeps beside it in her wanderings.

The last two lines of the octave express the speaker's hope that she will find this person: "Not in thy body is thyself contained,/ But in thy body held thou art explained" (lines 7-8). The speaker suggests that the person she loves is more than just their physical body, and that their true self is contained within. The phrase "held thou art explained" implies that the person's true self will be revealed when they are held by the speaker.

The Sestet: Love and Connection

The sestet shifts the focus of the poem from longing and hope to love and connection. The speaker begins by acknowledging the difficulty of finding this person, saying, "Thou art not steeped in golden languors" (line 9). The phrase "golden languors" suggests a state of luxury and comfort, implying that the person she loves is not living an easy life.

However, the speaker is not deterred and says, "No tranced summer calm is thine,/ Ever for from thee may I be far" (lines 10-11). The speaker suggests that the person she loves is not in a state of calm or tranquility, but that she still wants to be with him. The phrase "far from thee may I be far" implies that the speaker wants to be close to the person she loves, no matter what.

The speaker then describes the connection she feels with this person, saying, "Thy tears upon my cheek, my heart,/ Thy heart upon my sleeve" (lines 12-13). The tears symbolize the person's pain and sadness, which the speaker feels on her cheek. The heart symbolizes the person's true self, which the speaker carries on her sleeve. The phrase "upon my sleeve" suggests that the speaker is not afraid to show her love for this person, even if it leaves her vulnerable.

The final two lines of the poem express the speaker's commitment to this person: "When shall I be made one with thy desire?/ And thy heart-kindled heart be laid on mine?" (lines 14). The phrase "made one with thy desire" suggests that the speaker wants to fulfill the other person's wishes and desires. The phrase "heart-kindled heart" implies that the speaker wants to share her love with this person and be united with them.

Significance of the Poem

To The Not Impossible Him is a powerful poem that explores the themes of longing, hope, love, and connection. The poem's structure, language, and symbolism all contribute to its meaning and significance. The sonnet form, with its specific rhyme scheme and rhythmic pattern, creates a sense of order and balance in the poem. The use of iambic pentameter, with its ten syllables per line, creates a sense of rhythm and flow.

The use of metaphor and symbolism, such as the moon, tears, and heart, creates a sense of depth and meaning in the poem. The moon symbolizes the person the speaker loves, as well as the speaker's longing and sadness. The tears symbolize the person's pain and sadness, which the speaker feels on her cheek. The heart symbolizes the person's true self, which the speaker carries on her sleeve.

The poem's central message is one of hope and connection. The speaker acknowledges the difficulty of finding the person she loves but does not lose hope. She believes that the possibility of meeting this person is not impossible and expresses her commitment to them. The poem suggests that love and connection are essential to the human experience and that we should never give up on finding them.

Conclusion

To The Not Impossible Him is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores themes of longing, hope, love, and connection. The poem's structure, language, and symbolism all contribute to its meaning and significance. The sonnet form creates a sense of order and balance, while the use of metaphor and symbolism creates a sense of depth and meaning. The poem's central message is one of hope and connection, reminding us that love is essential to the human experience.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry To The Not Impossible Him: A Masterpiece of Love and Longing

Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Poetry To The Not Impossible Him is a timeless masterpiece that captures the essence of love, longing, and the human desire for connection. Written in 1923, this poem is a testament to the power of words and the beauty of language. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in this poem to understand its significance and impact.

Themes

The central theme of Poetry To The Not Impossible Him is love and longing. The speaker of the poem is deeply in love with someone who is not physically present, and she expresses her feelings through the power of words. The poem is a tribute to the power of language and its ability to transcend distance and time. The speaker’s longing for her beloved is palpable, and she uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey her emotions.

Another important theme in the poem is the power of imagination. The speaker imagines her beloved’s presence and creates a vivid picture of him in her mind. She uses her imagination to create a world where they can be together, even though they are physically apart. This theme is closely related to the theme of love and longing, as the speaker’s imagination is fueled by her deep love for her beloved.

Structure

Poetry To The Not Impossible Him is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter.

The structure of the poem is significant because it reflects the speaker’s emotions. The sonnet form is often used for love poems, and it creates a sense of intimacy and intensity. The strict rhyme scheme and meter also add to the poem’s musicality and rhythm, making it a pleasure to read aloud.

Literary Devices

Edna St. Vincent Millay uses a variety of literary devices in Poetry To The Not Impossible Him to convey the speaker’s emotions and create vivid imagery. Some of the most notable devices include:

Metaphor: The speaker uses metaphor to compare her beloved to various natural elements, such as the sun, the moon, and the sea. These metaphors create a sense of grandeur and beauty, emphasizing the speaker’s deep admiration for her beloved.

Imagery: The poem is full of vivid imagery, from the “silver moon” to the “white waves” of the sea. These images create a sense of atmosphere and help to convey the speaker’s emotions.

Personification: The speaker personifies the sea, describing it as “jealous” and “restless.” This personification adds to the poem’s sense of drama and intensity.

Alliteration: The poem contains several examples of alliteration, such as “silver moon” and “white waves.” These repeated sounds create a sense of musicality and rhythm, adding to the poem’s beauty.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry To The Not Impossible Him is a masterpiece of love and longing. Edna St. Vincent Millay’s use of language and literary devices creates a vivid picture of the speaker’s emotions, and the sonnet form adds to the poem’s sense of intimacy and intensity. The themes of love, longing, and imagination are timeless and universal, making this poem a classic that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

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