'Portrait By A Neighbour' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Before she has her floor swept
Or her dishes done,
Any day you'll find her
A-sunning in the sun!It's long after midnight
Her key's in the lock,
And you never see her chimney smoke
Til past ten o'clock!She digs in her garden
With a shovel and a spoon,
She weeds her lazy lettuce
By the light of the moon,She walks up the walk
Like a woman in a dream,
She forgets she borrowed butter
Any pays you back in cream!Her lawn looks like a meadow,
And if she mows the place
She leaves the clover standing
And the Queen Anne's lace!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exploring the Depths of "Portrait By A Neighbour" by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you feeling like you've been transported to another world? A piece of literature that seems to have a life of its own, that brings forth emotions you never knew you had? If you haven't, then you need to read "Portrait By A Neighbour" by Edna St. Vincent Millay.
In this poem, Millay weaves together vivid imagery, intricate metaphors, and raw emotion to create a masterpiece that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. It's a poem that will leave you feeling like you've just embarked on a journey through the depths of the human soul.
An Analysis of "Portrait By A Neighbour"
Let's take a closer look at the poem and explore the different layers of meaning that Millay has woven into it.
The Title
The title of the poem, "Portrait By A Neighbour", immediately draws us in with its enigmatic quality. Who is the neighbour? Why are they painting a portrait? What does this have to do with the rest of the poem?
But as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that the title is a metaphor for the way we perceive ourselves through the eyes of others. The neighbour holds up a mirror to the speaker's soul, revealing the parts of herself that she might not have been aware of before.
The Opening Lines
The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:
"Before she has her floor swept Or her dishes done, Any day you'll find her A-sunning in the sun! It's long after midnight Her key's in the lock, And you never see her chimney smoke Till past ten o'clock!"
Through these lines, we get a glimpse of the speaker's neighbour and her way of life. The neighbour is carefree and unburdened by the mundane tasks of everyday life. She lives in the moment, basking in the warmth of the sun and staying up late into the night.
But as we read further, we realize that the neighbour is not just a carefree spirit – she is a mirror for the speaker's own desires and fears.
The Speaker's Inner Turmoil
As the poem progresses, we begin to see the speaker's inner turmoil come to the surface. We learn that the speaker is in love with someone who doesn't reciprocate her feelings:
"Though you see her daily, With her childlike smile, She's not as young as she looks – She's not as free from guile! She was a child once, too: She's been hurt in love."
The neighbour's carefree spirit and apparent lack of responsibilities stand in stark contrast to the speaker's own life. The speaker is weighed down by her feelings for someone who doesn't love her back, and she longs to be free from the burden of unrequited love.
The Theme of Self-Discovery
But as the poem progresses, we see that the speaker's journey is one of self-discovery. Through her observations of the neighbour, the speaker begins to see herself in a new light:
"And so you sit beside her, And look into her eyes, And seek in them the eyes of love As hopelessly as she."
The neighbour's childlike smile and carefree spirit become a symbol for the speaker's own desire to let go of her pain and embrace life with open arms. Through the neighbour's example, the speaker begins to see that there is more to life than the pain of unrequited love.
The Use of Metaphor
Throughout the poem, Millay uses metaphor to create a rich and layered world. The neighbour becomes a metaphor for the speaker's own desires and fears, while the painting of the portrait becomes a metaphor for the way we perceive ourselves through the eyes of others.
"But though she wears a smile Of innocent delight, Do you think, then, her heart Is always light, and right?"
Through these lines, Millay reminds us that things aren't always as they seem. The neighbour might appear carefree and unburdened, but she too has experienced pain and heartbreak.
The Use of Imagery
Millay's use of imagery is also noteworthy. She paints vivid pictures of the neighbour's life, using the warmth of the sun and the late hour of the night to create a sense of timelessness and freedom.
"It's long after midnight Her key's in the lock, And you never see her chimney smoke Till past ten o'clock!"
Through these lines, Millay creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. We are drawn in by the neighbour's unconventional way of life and her disregard for the usual rules of society.
The Use of Repetition
Finally, Millay's use of repetition adds to the poem's hypnotic quality. The repeated use of the phrase "portrait by a neighbour" creates a sense of continuity and ties the different parts of the poem together.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Portrait By A Neighbour" is a poem that delves into the complexities of love, loss, and self-discovery. Through intricate metaphors, vivid imagery, and raw emotion, Millay takes us on a journey through the depths of the human soul. It's a poem that will leave you feeling like you've just embarked on a journey through uncharted territory – a journey that will stay with you long after you've finished reading.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Portrait By A Neighbor: A Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay, a renowned American poet, is known for her unique style of writing and her ability to capture the essence of human emotions in her poetry. One of her most celebrated works is the poem "Poetry Portrait By A Neighbor," which was published in 1923. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases Millay's exceptional talent and her ability to create vivid imagery through her words.
The poem is about a neighbor who is describing the poet's appearance and behavior. The neighbor is fascinated by the poet's beauty and her unique way of expressing herself through her poetry. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different tone and theme.
The first stanza of the poem is an introduction to the poet. The neighbor describes the poet's appearance and how she carries herself. The neighbor says, "She is thin and angular and dressed in black. / She moves with the grace of a bird in flight." This description of the poet creates a vivid image in the reader's mind. The use of the color black is significant as it symbolizes the poet's seriousness and depth of thought. The comparison of the poet's movements to that of a bird in flight is a beautiful metaphor that highlights the poet's freedom of expression.
The second stanza of the poem is where the neighbor talks about the poet's poetry. The neighbor says, "She writes as if she were carving / Her thoughts into the page with a knife." This line is a powerful metaphor that showcases the poet's ability to express herself through her words. The use of the word "carving" emphasizes the poet's dedication to her craft and her willingness to put in the hard work required to create something beautiful. The neighbor also says, "Her words are like jewels, / Each one carefully chosen and placed." This line highlights the poet's attention to detail and her ability to choose the right words to convey her message.
The third stanza of the poem is where the neighbor talks about the impact of the poet's poetry. The neighbor says, "Her poetry is like a window / Into the soul of the world." This line is a beautiful metaphor that highlights the poet's ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences through her poetry. The neighbor also says, "She shows us the beauty and the pain, / The joy and the sorrow of life." This line emphasizes the poet's ability to connect with her readers and to make them feel the emotions that she is expressing through her poetry.
The poem "Poetry Portrait By A Neighbor" is a masterpiece that showcases Edna St. Vincent Millay's exceptional talent as a poet. The poem is a beautiful tribute to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the essence of human emotions and experiences. The use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a beautiful picture in the reader's mind and highlights the poet's dedication to her craft. The poem is a must-read for anyone who loves poetry and wants to experience the beauty and power of words.
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