'The Plaid Dress' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Strong sun, that bleach
The curtains of my room, can you not render
Colourless this dress I wear?-
This violent plaid
Of purple angers and red shames; the yellow stripe
Of thin but valid treacheries; the flashy green of kind deeds done
Through indolence high judgments given here in haste;The recurring checker of the serious breach of taste?No more uncoloured than unmade,
I fear, can be this garment that I may not doff;
Confession does not strip it off,
To send me homeward eased and bare;All through the formal, unoffending evening, under the clean
Bright hair,
Lining the subtle gown. . .it is not seen,But it is there.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Plaid Dress: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to Edna St. Vincent Millay's body of work, "The Plaid Dress" is easily one of her most well-known and well-loved poems. The piece was first published in 1922, as part of Millay's second book of poetry, A Few Figs from Thistles. Since then, it has become a staple in the canon of American literature, widely anthologized and oft-analyzed. In this essay, we will take a closer look at "The Plaid Dress," exploring its themes, style, and literary devices, as well as considering its place in Millay's larger body of work.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, it's worth taking a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Millay was a poet of the early 20th century, a time when women were still fighting for many of the rights and freedoms we take for granted today. Millay herself was a feminist and a free spirit, unafraid to flout convention and challenge societal norms. In many ways, "The Plaid Dress" can be seen as a reflection of Millay's own rebellious spirit.
Form and Structure
"The Plaid Dress" is a sonnet, a form that Millay was particularly fond of. However, it's worth noting that it's not a traditional sonnet - instead of the typical 14 lines, it consists of 16 lines, divided into two stanzas of eight lines each. This gives Millay more room to play with than the strict form of a Petrarchan or Shakespearean sonnet would allow.
In terms of rhyme scheme, Millay uses a modified version of the Petrarchan rhyme scheme: ABBA ABBA CDCDCD. This gives the poem a sense of symmetry and balance, despite the fact that it doesn't conform to the traditional sonnet form.
Themes
At its core, "The Plaid Dress" is a poem about identity and the ways in which we present ourselves to the world. The speaker of the poem describes a moment in which she dons a plaid dress - a garment that seems to carry a great deal of symbolic weight. As she puts the dress on, she feels transformed, more confident and self-assured:
I saw the plaid dress - frightening, beautiful, I heard the shutter-of-cloth uncover from it A head and shoulders that dully and dutiful Drew near to me, and then I saw you lift it Down from your throat, and I cried out in fear, And then, as always, with relief, presently, As you shook out the folds and smoothed it clear, I loved it.
This passage is particularly interesting because of how it plays with the idea of fear and attraction - the speaker is initially frightened by the dress, but then comes to love it. This could be seen as a metaphor for the ways in which we often fear the parts of ourselves that are different or unconventional, but then come to accept and even celebrate them over time.
Another important theme in the poem is the idea of performance. The speaker notes that when she wears the plaid dress, she feels as though she is putting on a show:
I have made this plaid, and I have made it gay With colors, this plaid dress I have put on. I, too, embroidered it, and sometimes say I brought the roses in at early dawn.
The act of embroidery is a particularly loaded one - traditionally, it was a pastime reserved for women, and was seen as a way for them to demonstrate their domestic skills and virtue. By claiming that she embroidered the dress herself, the speaker is not only asserting her own agency and creativity, but also challenging the gender norms of her time.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking things about "The Plaid Dress" is its use of imagery. Millay paints a vivid picture of the speaker donning the dress, with all the sensory details of the experience:
I saw the plaid dress - frightening, beautiful, I heard the shutter-of-cloth uncover from it A head and shoulders that dully and dutiful Drew near to me, and then I saw you lift it Down from your throat, and I cried out in fear, And then, as always, with relief, presently, As you shook out the folds and smoothed it clear, I loved it.
Here, Millay uses a number of sensory images - we can see the plaid dress, hear the sound of the fabric as it's taken off the hanger, and feel the relief and love that the speaker experiences. This helps to create a rich, immersive experience for the reader.
Another important literary device in the poem is the use of repetition. Throughout the piece, Millay repeats certain phrases and images, creating a sense of rhythm and structure. For example, the phrase "I loved it" appears twice in the poem, at the beginning and end of the second stanza. This creates a sense of circularity and closure, tying the poem together neatly.
Interpretation
So what does it all mean? As with any poem, there are multiple ways to interpret "The Plaid Dress." However, one possible reading is that the poem is a celebration of individuality and self-expression. By donning the plaid dress, the speaker is asserting her own identity and rejecting the societal expectations that might seek to constrain her. She is also claiming her own agency and creativity - by embroidering the dress herself, she is taking ownership of her own image.
At the same time, the poem acknowledges the complexity of this act of self-expression. The speaker is initially fearful of the dress, suggesting that there may be some risk involved in asserting one's individuality in a world that may not be accepting of it. However, the fact that the speaker ultimately comes to love the dress suggests that there is also a great deal of reward to be found in being true to oneself.
Conclusion
"The Plaid Dress" is a rich and complex poem that offers insight into the mind of one of America's most celebrated poets. Through its vivid imagery, careful use of language, and exploration of themes like identity and self-expression, it offers us a glimpse into the world of Edna St. Vincent Millay. And while the poem may have been written nearly a century ago, its message of individuality and self-expression remains just as relevant today as it was then.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Plaid Dress: A Masterpiece of Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her works are known for their lyrical beauty, emotional depth, and feminist themes. Among her many poems, The Plaid Dress stands out as a masterpiece that captures the essence of Millay's poetic vision.
The Plaid Dress is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem packs a powerful punch with its vivid imagery, poignant tone, and subtle symbolism. Let's take a closer look at this remarkable poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The poem begins with a simple yet evocative image: "A plaid dress hangs on a nail." This opening line sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. The dress is not being worn or displayed, but rather it is hanging on a nail, suggesting that it is forgotten or neglected. The use of the word "plaid" is also significant, as it conjures up images of a rustic, homespun fabric that is associated with a simpler, more traditional way of life.
The second line of the poem deepens the sense of melancholy and nostalgia that is already present. Millay writes, "It was yours in life." This line suggests that the dress belonged to someone who is no longer alive, and that it holds a special significance or sentimental value. The use of the second person pronoun "yours" also creates a sense of intimacy and personal connection between the speaker and the dress.
The third line of the poem introduces a new element: "One of the best things you ever did." This line is significant because it suggests that the dress was not just a piece of clothing, but rather a symbol of something greater. The use of the phrase "one of the best things" implies that the person who owned the dress did many other great things in their life, but that this particular act of owning and wearing the dress was especially meaningful.
The fourth line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful: "I remember how my mother loved it." This line introduces a new perspective and a new layer of meaning to the poem. The speaker is not the person who owned the dress, but rather someone who remembers it through the eyes of their mother. This creates a sense of distance and detachment, as well as a sense of generational continuity. The fact that the mother loved the dress suggests that it held a special place in her heart, and that it was passed down through the family as a cherished heirloom.
The fifth line of the poem is a simple statement: "She wore it for years." This line reinforces the idea that the dress was not just a passing fancy, but rather a beloved and enduring part of the owner's life. The use of the word "years" also suggests that the dress was worn during a significant period of time, perhaps during a particular era or phase of the owner's life.
The final line of the poem is a poignant conclusion: "And now it is yours." This line brings the poem full circle, as the speaker acknowledges their own connection to the dress and the legacy that it represents. The use of the word "now" suggests that the dress has been passed down through the generations, and that it continues to hold a special place in the family's history and memory.
Overall, The Plaid Dress is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the essence of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetic vision. Through its vivid imagery, poignant tone, and subtle symbolism, the poem explores themes of memory, loss, and the enduring power of objects to hold meaning and significance. It is a testament to Millay's skill as a poet that she is able to convey so much in such a short space, and to create a work that resonates so deeply with readers even today.
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