'Sonnet 05: If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Renascence and Other Poems1917If I should learn, in some quite casual way,That you were gone, not to return again-
Read from the back-page of a paper, say,Held by a neighbor in a subway train,
How at the corner of this avenueAnd such a street (so are the papers filled)
A hurrying man-who happened to be you-At noon to-day had happened to be killed,
I should not cry aloud-I could not cryAloud, or wring my hands in such a place-
I should but watch the station lights rush byWith a more careful interest on my face,
Or raise my eyes and read with greater careWhere to store furs and how to treat the hair.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 05: If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Sonnet 05, "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a piece of poetry that leaves the reader in constant awe of the beauty of language. The poem is a classic example of a sonnet, with its fourteen lines and its rhyme scheme, ABBA ABBA CDCD EE. However, what sets this poem apart is its deep personal nature, which is evident in every line.
The poem is a meditation on the nature of love and loss, and it is written in the form of a hypothetical scenario. The narrator imagines a situation in which she learns, in some casual way, that her lover has died. She then describes the various reactions that she might have to such news, and she concludes by acknowledging that she would be forever changed by the loss.
The Structure and Form
The structure and form of the poem are a testament to Millay's skill as a poet. The poem is written in the form of a sonnet, but it is not a traditional sonnet. The rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDCD EE, which is a variation on the Petrarchan sonnet. The first eight lines, or the octave, describe the situation in which the narrator learns of her lover's death, and the final six lines, or the sestet, describe the emotional impact of that loss.
The use of an unconventional rhyme scheme is one of the ways in which Millay sets this poem apart from other sonnets. By breaking with tradition, she is able to create a poem that is uniquely her own.
The Themes
The central theme of the poem is the nature of love and loss. Millay explores the emotional impact of losing someone that you love deeply. She describes the shock and disbelief that one feels upon learning of such a loss, as well as the myriad of emotions that follow.
The poem also touches on the theme of mortality. The narrator acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, but she struggles with the idea that her lover could be taken from her so suddenly and without warning.
The Language
The language in the poem is both beautiful and haunting. Millay uses a variety of poetic devices to convey the emotions of the narrator. For example, she uses metaphor to describe the impact of the loss:
- "And I should find some leaf a 'wind had shaken' / And I should feel your finger on my cheek"
In this line, Millay uses the metaphor of a leaf being shaken by the wind to describe the narrator's emotional state. The line "And I should feel your finger on my cheek" is a powerful image that conveys the depth of the narrator's longing and grief.
Millay also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and momentum in the poem. For example, she repeats the phrase "I should" throughout the poem, which creates a sense of inevitability and predestination. The repetition also emphasizes the hypothetical nature of the scenario and underscores the idea that the narrator is imagining a possible future.
The Interpretation
The poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways, depending on the reader's perspective. On one level, the poem can be seen as a meditation on the nature of love and loss, and the emotional impact that such losses can have on us.
On another level, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the fragility of life and the inevitability of death. The narrator acknowledges that death is a natural part of life, but she struggles with the idea that her lover could be taken from her so suddenly and without warning.
The poem can also be seen as a celebration of the power of love. Despite the pain and grief that the narrator experiences, she acknowledges that her love for her partner transcends death. The final lines of the poem, "And all my world is warm with April sun / My heart is shattered with the grief it bears", are a testament to the enduring nature of love and the strength that it can provide in times of loss.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Sonnet 05: If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that offers a meditation on the nature of love and loss. Millay's use of language is both beautiful and haunting, and her unconventional approach to the sonnet form sets this poem apart from other sonnets. The poem can be interpreted in a variety of ways, but at its core, it is a celebration of the enduring power of love and the strength that it provides in times of grief.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way: A Masterpiece of Sonnet Poetry
Edna St. Vincent Millay, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, is known for her powerful and evocative poetry. Her sonnet, "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way," is a masterpiece of the sonnet form, exploring themes of love, loss, and the fragility of human existence. In this analysis, we will delve into the intricacies of this classic poem and explore its meaning and significance.
The sonnet is a fourteen-line poem with a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Millay's sonnet follows the traditional structure of a Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter. This strict form allows Millay to explore complex themes in a concise and structured manner, creating a powerful and memorable poem.
The poem begins with the speaker contemplating the possibility of learning of their lover's death in a casual way. The opening line, "If I should learn, in some quite casual way," sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "casual" creates a sense of detachment and distance, as if the speaker is preparing themselves for the worst.
The first quatrain explores the speaker's fear of losing their lover. The line "That you were gone, not to return again" creates a sense of finality and loss. The use of the word "gone" emphasizes the permanence of death, while the phrase "not to return again" reinforces the idea that death is a one-way journey.
The second quatrain delves deeper into the speaker's emotions, exploring their fear of forgetting their lover. The line "And all the memories of your face and hair" creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. The use of the word "memories" emphasizes the fleeting nature of human existence, while the mention of "face and hair" creates a vivid image of the lover in the speaker's mind.
The third quatrain shifts the focus to the speaker's own mortality. The line "I should be sorry at your going, and yet" creates a sense of ambivalence, as if the speaker is torn between their love for their lover and their own fear of death. The use of the word "yet" emphasizes this conflict, creating a sense of tension and uncertainty.
The final couplet brings the poem to a powerful conclusion. The line "Be not deceived, for even we who miss" creates a sense of universality, emphasizing that everyone experiences loss and death. The use of the word "we" creates a sense of community, as if the speaker is speaking to all those who have experienced loss. The final line, "Not to return, not to retain, but miss," creates a sense of acceptance and resignation. The use of the word "miss" emphasizes the ongoing nature of grief, while the repetition of "not to" reinforces the finality of death.
Overall, "If I Should Learn, In Some Quite Casual Way" is a powerful and evocative sonnet that explores complex themes of love, loss, and mortality. Millay's use of the sonnet form allows her to explore these themes in a structured and concise manner, creating a memorable and impactful poem. The poem's universal themes and powerful imagery make it a timeless masterpiece of sonnet poetry.
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