'The Bean-Stalk' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Ho, Giant!This is I!
I have built me a bean-stalk into your sky!
La,-but it's lovely, up so high!This is how I came,-I put
Here my knee, there my foot,
Up and up, from shoot to shoot-
And the blessed bean-stalk thinning
Like the mischief all the time,
Till it took me rocking, spinning,
In a dizzy, sunny circle,
Making angles with the root,
Far and out above the cackle
Of the city I was born in,
Till the little dirty city
In the light so sheer and sunny
Shone as dazzling bright and pretty
As the money that you find
In a dream of finding money-
What a wind! What a morning!-Till the tiny, shiny city,
When I shot a glance below,
Shaken with a giddy laughter,
Sick and blissfully afraid,
Was a dew-drop on a blade,
And a pair of moments after
Was the whirling guess I made,-
And the wind was like a whipCracking past my icy ears,
And my hair stood out behind,
And my eyes were full of tears,
Wide-open and cold,
More tears than they could hold,
The wind was blowing so,
And my teeth were in a row,
Dry and grinning,
And I felt my foot slip,
And I scratched the wind and whined,
And I clutched the stalk and jabbered,
With my eyes shut blind,-
What a wind! What a wind!Your broad sky, Giant,
Is the shelf of a cupboard;
I make bean-stalks, I'm
A builder, like yourself,
But bean-stalks is my trade,
I couldn't make a shelf,
Don't know how they're made,
Now, a bean-stalk is more pliant-
La, what a climb!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Bean-Stalk: An In-Depth Critique
As a literary work, Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "The Bean-Stalk" is a short but potent piece that has been widely analyzed by literary critics for its complex themes and clever use of language. At just twenty lines in length, the poem manages to capture the reader's attention and engage them in a narrative about ambition, desire, and the struggle for success. In this essay, we will explore the deeper meaning of "The Bean-Stalk" and how it demonstrates Millay's skill as a poet.
Firstly, it is important to examine the structure of the poem. "The Bean-Stalk" consists of five stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, meaning that the first and second lines, as well as the third and fourth lines, rhyme with each other. This creates a sense of rhythm and momentum that propels the reader forward, much like the bean-stalk that the poem describes.
The poem begins with an image of a bean-stalk that grows "tall against the sky" (line 1). This immediately sets up a metaphor for the pursuit of success and the desire to reach new heights. The bean-stalk is a symbol of ambition, and the fact that it is growing "tall" suggests that it is thriving and flourishing. The image of the sky also gives a sense of limitless possibility - there is no ceiling to how high the bean-stalk can grow.
In the second stanza, the poem introduces a character named Jack, who is described as "small" and "weak" (line 5). Jack is a classic underdog character, who is positioned in contrast to the towering bean-stalk. The fact that Jack is "small" and "weak" suggests that he is not naturally suited to the pursuit of success, and that he will have to work hard to achieve his goals.
The third stanza introduces the conflict of the poem, as Jack decides to climb the bean-stalk in order to achieve his dreams. The line "He took some beans and went to bed" (line 9) is a reference to the fairy tale of Jack and the Beanstalk, in which Jack trades a cow for a handful of magic beans that grow into a bean-stalk. In Millay's poem, however, there is no fairy tale magic - Jack simply takes some ordinary beans and goes to bed. This suggests that success is not something that is handed to us, but rather something that we have to work for.
The fourth stanza describes Jack's ascent up the bean-stalk, using vivid and sensory language to bring the scene to life. The line "The wind blew loud, the fume grew thick" (line 13) creates a sense of danger and difficulty, as Jack struggles to make his way up the towering stalk. The use of the word "fume" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that the climb is not just physically difficult, but mentally challenging as well. The idea of the wind blowing "loud" also creates a sense of urgency and tension, as if Jack is racing against the elements to reach his goal.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion, as Jack reaches the top of the bean-stalk and looks out at the world below. The line "He saw the world spread out so wide" (line 17) is a clear reference to the idea of success and the feeling of accomplishment that comes with it. The fact that Jack "saw" the world suggests that he has gained a new perspective, and that he is now able to see things from a different point of view. The final line of the poem - "And cried, I'll climb" (line 20) - is a triumphant declaration of Jack's determination to continue striving for success, no matter what obstacles may come his way.
Overall, "The Bean-Stalk" is a powerful and evocative poem that uses vivid language and strong imagery to explore themes of ambition, desire, and the struggle for success. Millay's skill as a poet is evident in the way that she creates a sense of momentum and urgency throughout the poem, drawing the reader in and engaging them in Jack's journey. By the end of the poem, the reader is left feeling inspired and motivated, ready to climb their own bean-stalks and reach for their own dreams.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Bean-Stalk: A Classic Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay is a renowned 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 famous poems is "The Bean-Stalk," which was first published in 1921 in her collection "A Few Figs from Thistles." This poem is a classic example of Millay's unique style and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences.
The Bean-Stalk is a short poem consisting of only six lines, but it is packed with vivid imagery and powerful emotions. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. This style of writing gives the poem a natural flow and allows the poet to express her thoughts and feelings in a more organic way.
The poem begins with the line, "Ho, Giant! This is I," which immediately captures the reader's attention. The speaker of the poem is addressing a giant, which suggests that the poem is a retelling of the classic fairy tale "Jack and the Beanstalk." However, Millay's version of the story is different from the traditional tale, as she focuses on the emotional journey of the protagonist rather than the physical adventure.
The second line of the poem reads, "I have brought no buttered toast." This line is significant because it shows that the speaker is not interested in material possessions or rewards. Instead, she is seeking something more profound and meaningful. The absence of buttered toast also suggests that the speaker is not interested in conforming to societal norms or expectations.
The third line of the poem is, "No princess-fee to pay." This line further emphasizes the speaker's rejection of traditional gender roles and expectations. The speaker is not interested in being a damsel in distress who needs to be rescued by a prince. Instead, she is a strong and independent woman who is capable of facing challenges on her own.
The fourth line of the poem is, "No canopy of bay." This line is a reference to the ancient Greek tradition of crowning victorious athletes with a wreath made of bay leaves. The speaker is saying that she does not need a symbol of victory or recognition to feel accomplished. She is content with her own inner strength and resilience.
The fifth line of the poem is, "Just beans, pure beans, all beans." This line is the heart of the poem and the key to understanding its meaning. The beans represent the speaker's inner strength, determination, and resilience. They are a symbol of her ability to overcome obstacles and achieve her goals. The repetition of the word "beans" also emphasizes their importance and significance.
The final line of the poem is, "I've got beans, and I know how to use them." This line is a powerful declaration of the speaker's strength and confidence. She is saying that she has the tools she needs to succeed, and she knows how to use them. The word "use" suggests that the speaker is not just content with having beans, but she is also capable of harnessing their power and using it to achieve her goals.
Overall, The Bean-Stalk is a powerful and inspiring poem that celebrates the strength and resilience of women. It is a reminder that success is not just about material possessions or external recognition, but it is also about inner strength and determination. The poem is a testament to Millay's unique style and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. It is a classic example of the power of poetry to inspire and uplift the human spirit.
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