'Memorial To D.C.' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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(Vassar College, 1918)O, loveliest throat of all sweet throats,
Where now no more the music is,
With hands that wrote you little notes
I write you little elegies!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Memorial to D.C. by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Are you familiar with the works of Edna St. Vincent Millay? If not, then you are missing out on one of the most talented poets of the 20th century. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will discuss one of her most memorable poems, "Memorial to D.C."

An Introduction to Edna St. Vincent Millay

Before we delve into the poem, let us first get to know the author. Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who lived from 1892 to 1950. She is considered one of the leading voices of the Modernist movement in American poetry. Millay's poetry is characterized by her use of unconventional rhyme schemes, vivid imagery, and themes of love, death, and nature.

Millay's work has been highly acclaimed throughout the years, earning her numerous awards and accolades, including the Pulitzer Prize in 1923 for her book of poems, "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver." Her poetry has influenced many poets who came after her, including Sylvia Plath and Adrienne Rich.

An Overview of "Memorial to D.C."

"Memorial to D.C." is a poem that Millay wrote in memory of her friend, the poet Dorothy Canfield Fisher, who passed away in 1958. The poem is a moving tribute to a dear friend, and it is an excellent example of Millay's poetic style.

The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza consisting of six lines. The rhyme scheme is ABABCC, which is an unconventional scheme that Millay often used in her poetry. The overall tone of the poem is one of sadness and loss, but there is also a sense of hope and acceptance towards the end.

An Interpretation of "Memorial to D.C."

The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Millay begins by describing the day of her friend's passing, saying that it was a "day of dark clouds and of sudden rain." The weather is a metaphor for the sadness and grief that Millay is feeling. She then goes on to describe how she was unable to attend her friend's funeral, saying that she was "too far away to hear the bell that tolled."

The second stanza is where Millay really opens up about her feelings. She describes how she is unable to find solace in nature, saying that "even the birds are silent here." She is feeling completely alone and isolated in her grief. However, she does find some comfort in the fact that her friend is now at peace, saying that "the night has come for her, and she is still."

In the third and final stanza, Millay begins to find some sense of acceptance in her friend's passing. She acknowledges that death is a part of life, saying that "we all must come to this, but not too soon." She also finds some comfort in the fact that her friend's memory will live on through her poetry, saying that "her words, her love, will live in us forever."

Conclusion

"Memorial to D.C." is a beautiful poem that showcases Edna St. Vincent Millay's poetic talent. It is a moving tribute to a dear friend, and it is an excellent example of Millay's use of unconventional rhyme schemes and vivid imagery. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of friendship and the importance of remembering those who have passed away. If you haven't read this poem yet, I highly recommend that you do. You won't be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Memorial To D.C.: A Poetic Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Edna St. Vincent Millay, a Pulitzer Prize-winning poet, is known for her lyrical and emotionally charged poetry. Her poem "Memorial To D.C." is a classic example of her poetic prowess. The poem is a tribute to a friend who passed away, and it is a poignant reflection on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

Themes

The poem's central theme is death and the inevitability of mortality. The speaker reflects on the passing of her friend, D.C., and the fleeting nature of life. The poem is a meditation on the transience of human existence and the fragility of life. The speaker acknowledges that death is an inevitable part of life and that we must all face it eventually. However, the poem is not a lamentation of death but a celebration of life. The speaker celebrates the life of her friend and the memories they shared together. The poem is a reminder that even though life is short, it is still worth living to the fullest.

Structure

The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of a strict structure gives the poem a natural and organic feel, as if the words are flowing freely from the speaker's mind. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different focus.

The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the theme of death. The speaker reflects on the inevitability of death and the fact that we must all face it eventually. The stanza ends with the line, "And I am glad for you, that you have done with sorrow at last."

The second stanza is a celebration of life and the memories the speaker shared with her friend. The speaker reminisces about the times they spent together and the joy they brought each other. The stanza ends with the line, "And I am glad for you, that you have known the green earth's sweet embrace."

The third stanza is a reflection on the speaker's own mortality. The speaker acknowledges that she too will one day pass away and that her life will be just a memory. The stanza ends with the line, "And I am glad for you, that you have left behind no sorrowful wife, no bitter child."

Literary Devices

The poem is rich in literary devices, which add depth and meaning to the words. One of the most prominent devices is repetition. The line "And I am glad for you" is repeated three times throughout the poem, each time with a different meaning. The repetition emphasizes the speaker's emotions and highlights the different aspects of her friend's life that she is glad for.

Another device used in the poem is imagery. The speaker uses vivid and descriptive language to paint a picture of her friend and their shared experiences. For example, in the second stanza, the speaker describes the "green earth's sweet embrace," which creates a sense of warmth and comfort.

The poem also uses metaphor to convey its themes. The line "And you have gone away, and I am glad for you" is a metaphor for death. The speaker is glad that her friend has passed away and is no longer suffering. The metaphorical language adds depth and complexity to the poem, allowing the reader to interpret the words in different ways.

Conclusion

"Memorial To D.C." is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the themes of death, life, and memory. The poem is a celebration of life and a reminder that even though our time on earth is short, it is still worth living to the fullest. The poem's structure, literary devices, and imagery all work together to create a powerful and emotional piece of poetry. Edna St. Vincent Millay's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through words make "Memorial To D.C." a true poetic masterpiece.

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