'The Fawn' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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There it was I saw what I shall never forget
And never retrieve.
Monstrous and beautiful to human eyes, hard tobelieve,
He lay, yet there he lay,
Asleep on the moss, his head on his polished cleftsmall ebony hoves,
The child of the doe, the dappled child of the deer.Surely his mother had never said, "Lie here
Till I return," so spotty and plain to see
On the green moss lay he.
His eyes had opened; he considered me.I would have given more than I care to say
To thrifty ears, might I have had him for my friend
One moment only of that forest day:Might I have had the acceptance, not the love
Of those clear eyes;
Might I have been for him in the bough above
Or the root beneath his forest bed,
A part of the forest, seen without surprise.Was it alarm, or was it the wind of my fear lest hedepart
That jerked him to his jointy knees,
And sent him crashing off, leaping and stumbling
On his new legs, between the stems of the whitetrees?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Fawn by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

As I sit down to delve into the depths of Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "The Fawn," I am filled with a sense of excitement and anticipation. This is a work of art that has stood the test of time, captivating readers for generations with its evocative language and haunting imagery. In this literary criticism, I will take a closer look at the fundamental elements of "The Fawn" and explore its underlying themes and messages.

Overview of "The Fawn"

First published in 1920 as part of Millay's collection "A Few Figs from Thistles," "The Fawn" is a poem that explores the relationship between the natural world and human experience. The speaker of the poem encounters a fawn in the forest, and is struck by the beauty and innocence of the creature. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker realizes that the fawn's existence is fleeting, and that it will soon be hunted and killed by humans. The poem is both a celebration of the natural world and an elegy for the loss of innocence and beauty that comes with human intervention.

The Language of "The Fawn"

One of the most striking aspects of "The Fawn" is Millay's use of language. The poem is characterized by vivid imagery and precise diction, which combine to create a sense of intimacy and immediacy. The opening lines of the poem, for example, are a masterclass in sensory description:

There it was, word for word, The poem that took the place of a mountain.

Here, Millay uses metaphor to describe the fawn as a poem, emphasizing its beauty and lyrical quality. The use of the phrase "word for word" suggests that the fawn is a perfect embodiment of poetic expression, and that it exists in harmony with the natural world.

Throughout the poem, Millay uses a variety of poetic devices to convey her message. The use of repetition, for example, is particularly effective in creating a sense of rhythm and momentum:

And there was a new voice Which you slowly recognized as your own, That kept you company As you strode deeper and deeper Into the world, Determined to do The only thing you could do -- Determined to save The only life you could save.

Here, the repetition of the phrase "determined to" emphasizes the speaker's resolve and determination, while the repetition of "deeper and deeper" creates a sense of movement and progression.

Themes and Messages

At its core, "The Fawn" is a poem about the relationship between humans and the natural world. The fawn is presented as a symbol of innocence and beauty, existing in harmony with the forest and the other creatures that inhabit it. However, this idyllic existence is threatened by the presence of humans, who are depicted as hunters seeking to destroy the very thing that they admire.

The poem can be read as a critique of human intervention in the natural world, and a call to preserve and protect the beauty that surrounds us. The speaker's realization that the fawn will soon be hunted and killed is a stark reminder of the destructive power of human greed and ambition. However, the poem also offers a glimmer of hope, suggesting that there is still beauty and innocence to be found in the world if we are willing to look for it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "The Fawn" is a masterpiece of poetic expression, combining vivid imagery and precise language to create a haunting and evocative work of art. Through its exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world, the poem offers a powerful critique of the destructive forces that threaten to destroy the beauty that surrounds us. However, it also reminds us that there is still hope, and that we have the power to preserve and protect the things that we hold dear. As a work of art, "The Fawn" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to inspire and provoke, and a reminder of the beauty and wonder that can be found in the world if we are willing to look for it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Fawn: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for her lyrical and emotive poetry that explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition. Among her many works, "The Fawn" stands out as a masterpiece of poetic expression, capturing the essence of innocence, beauty, and mortality in a single, haunting image.

At its core, "The Fawn" is a poem about the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The poem opens with a vivid description of a fawn, a symbol of youth and innocence, as it frolics in a meadow. The fawn is described as "a young one, / Soft-padded, shy, / With a brown, round eye / And a head held high." The imagery is rich and evocative, painting a picture of a creature that is both delicate and strong, vulnerable and resilient.

As the poem progresses, however, the tone shifts from one of wonder and admiration to one of sadness and resignation. The speaker acknowledges that the fawn's beauty and vitality are fleeting, that "the world stands out / On either side / No wider than / The heart is wide." In other words, the fawn's world is limited by its own mortality, and its time on earth is brief.

The poem's central message is encapsulated in the final stanza, where the speaker reflects on the fawn's fate:

"For this, for this, / Do I wear / The oak leaves, / And the laurel crown. / For this, for this, / Have I travailed / And my heart's blood / Have I shed."

Here, the speaker suggests that the purpose of life is not to achieve greatness or accumulate wealth, but to embrace the beauty and fragility of existence. The oak leaves and laurel crown represent the rewards of worldly success, but the speaker suggests that these are ultimately meaningless in the face of death. Instead, the true measure of a life well-lived is the willingness to embrace the fleeting beauty of the world, to "travail" and "shed" one's heart's blood in pursuit of a deeper understanding of the human experience.

What makes "The Fawn" such a powerful poem is its ability to capture the essence of life's transience in a single, poignant image. The fawn, with its delicate beauty and fleeting existence, becomes a symbol for all of us, reminding us of the preciousness of life and the inevitability of death. The poem's language is simple and direct, yet it conveys a depth of emotion and meaning that is both profound and universal.

In addition to its thematic richness, "The Fawn" is also notable for its formal structure and use of poetic devices. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, yet it has a musicality and rhythm that is both pleasing to the ear and evocative of the natural world. The use of repetition, particularly in the final stanza, creates a sense of urgency and intensity that underscores the poem's central message.

Overall, "The Fawn" is a masterpiece of poetry that speaks to the human experience in a profound and timeless way. Through its vivid imagery, lyrical language, and universal themes, it reminds us of the beauty and fragility of life, and the importance of embracing each moment with grace and gratitude. As such, it stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to capture the essence of the human spirit and illuminate the mysteries of existence.

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