'Elegy' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Let them bury your big eyes
In the secret earth securely,
Your thin fingers, and your fair,
Soft, indefinite-colored hair,-
All of these in some way, surely,
From the secret earth shall rise;
Not for these I sit and stare,
Broken and bereft completely;
Your young flesh that sat so neatly
On your little bones will sweetly
Blossom in the air.But your voice,-never the rushing
Of a river underground,
Not the rising of the wind
In the trees before the rain,
Not the woodcock's watery call,
Not the note the white-throat utters,
Not the feet of children pushing
Yellow leaves along the gutters
In the blue and bitter fall,
Shall content my musing mind
For the beauty of that sound
That in no new way at all
Ever will be heard again.Sweetly through the sappy stalk
Of the vigorous weed,
Holding all it held before,
Cherished by the faithful sun,
On and on eternally
Shall your altered fluid run,
Bud and bloom and go to seed;
But your singing days are done;
But the music of your talk
Never shall the chemistry
Of the secret earth restore.
All your lovely words are spoken.
Once the ivory box is broken,
Beats the golden bird no more.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Elegy by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Heartbreaking Ode to Loss and Grief
Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Elegy" is a poignant and moving poem that captures the essence of grief and loss. Written in 1921, the poem's themes are still as relevant today as they were almost a century ago. This literary criticism and interpretation aims to explore the different elements of "Elegy" and its significance in the canon of American poetry.
The Poet's Life and Background
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the poet's life and background. Edna St. Vincent Millay was born on February 22, 1892, in Rockland, Maine. She grew up in a financially unstable household and was raised by her mother after her father left the family.
Millay showed a gift for poetry from a young age, and her talent was recognized by her teachers and peers. She received a scholarship to attend Vassar College, where she continued to hone her craft. Millay's poetry was known for its feminist themes, love of nature, and romanticism.
In 1923, Millay became the third woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for poetry for her collection "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver." She died in 1950 at the age of 58.
The Poem: "Elegy"
"Elegy" is a poem that is divided into three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme scheme or meter. The lack of structure in the poem mirrors the chaotic emotions that come with grief and loss.
The poem begins with the line "What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is reflecting on past relationships and the memories that they hold. The repetition of "where" and "why" emphasizes the search for meaning and understanding in the face of loss.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the present, with the line "What eyes my eyes have seen, and where, and why." The speaker is no longer reflecting on the past but is instead living in the present moment. The use of the word "now" in the second line of the stanza further emphasizes this shift.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the line "What will become of you and me, / (This is the poem of the air)." The speaker is acknowledging the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of what comes after. The line "This is the poem of the air" suggests that the speaker is surrendering to the unknown, acknowledging that death is a natural part of life.
Interpretation and Analysis
At its core, "Elegy" is a poem about loss and the search for meaning in the face of death. The poem is deeply personal, with the speaker reflecting on past relationships and the memories that they hold. The repetition of "where" and "why" in the first stanza suggests that the speaker is searching for answers, trying to understand why these relationships ended and what they meant.
The second stanza shifts the focus to the present, with the speaker acknowledging that life goes on even in the face of loss. The line "Now they are dull and tarnished with the touch of hands" suggests that the speaker is no longer able to see the beauty in the world as they once did. The use of the word "now" suggests that the speaker is living in the present moment, but the memories of the past still weigh heavily on them.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the speaker acknowledging the inevitability of death and the uncertainty of what comes after. The line "What will become of you and me" suggests that the speaker is contemplating their own mortality. The use of the word "poem" throughout the poem suggests that the speaker is attempting to make sense of the chaos of life through the act of writing.
One of the most striking aspects of "Elegy" is its use of imagery. The poem is filled with vivid descriptions that bring the emotions of grief and loss to life. The line "The rain is full of ghosts tonight" suggests that the speaker is haunted by the memories of the past. The repetition of "where" and "why" throughout the poem emphasizes the search for meaning in the face of loss.
Significance in American Poetry
"Elegy" is a significant poem in the canon of American poetry for several reasons. Firstly, the poem is deeply personal and touches on universal themes of love, loss, and mortality. The poem's lack of structure mirrors the chaos of grief, and the vivid imagery brings the emotions of loss to life.
Secondly, "Elegy" is significant for its feminist themes. Millay was a prominent feminist and advocate for women's rights, and her poetry often reflected these themes. "Elegy" can be read as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women and the impact that these expectations have on their lives.
Finally, "Elegy" is significant for its contribution to the modernist movement in American poetry. The modernist poets rejected traditional forms of poetry and instead embraced free verse and experimentation. "Elegy" is an example of this experimentation, with its lack of structure and emphasis on imagery.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Elegy" is a poignant and moving poem that captures the essence of grief and loss. The poem's themes are still as relevant today as they were almost a century ago. The poem's lack of structure mirrors the chaotic emotions that come with grief and loss, and the vivid imagery brings the emotions of loss to life. "Elegy" is a significant poem in the canon of American poetry for its personal themes, feminist themes, and contribution to the modernist movement.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Elegy" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and moving tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The poem is full of emotion and captures the essence of grief and loss. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem to gain a deeper understanding of its meaning.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the deceased, "Oh, lay him gently in the earth." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is mourning the loss of someone they loved deeply and is asking for them to be laid to rest with care and tenderness. The use of the word "gently" emphasizes the speaker's desire for the deceased to be treated with respect and dignity.
The first stanza continues with the speaker describing the beauty of the natural world. They mention the "purple asters" and "goldenrod" that are in bloom. This imagery creates a sense of peace and tranquility, which is in contrast to the speaker's grief. The speaker is trying to find solace in nature, but their sorrow is too great.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the memories they shared with the deceased. They mention "the laughter and the tears" that they shared together. This line is particularly poignant because it highlights the duality of life. The speaker and the deceased experienced both joy and sorrow together, and now the speaker is left to mourn alone.
The third stanza is where the poem really begins to shine. The speaker addresses the deceased directly, saying, "Oh, do not let him lie too long." This line is a plea for the deceased to not be forgotten. The speaker is afraid that time will pass and the memory of the deceased will fade away. They want the deceased to be remembered and honored for who they were.
The fourth stanza is where the poem takes a turn. The speaker begins to question the meaning of life and death. They ask, "What is the use of tears or flowers?" This line is a reflection on the futility of mourning. No matter how much we cry or how many flowers we lay at someone's grave, it will not bring them back. The speaker is grappling with the idea that death is final and there is nothing we can do to change it.
The fifth stanza is a continuation of the speaker's reflection on death. They say, "The dead are dead, and they alone." This line is a reminder that death is a solitary experience. No matter how much we love someone, we cannot go with them when they die. The speaker is coming to terms with the fact that they will never see the deceased again.
The sixth and final stanza is a beautiful conclusion to the poem. The speaker says, "But oh, the very dead!/Sleep on beloved, sleep, and take thy rest." This line is a message of love and acceptance. The speaker is telling the deceased to rest in peace and to know that they are loved. The use of the word "beloved" emphasizes the depth of the speaker's love for the deceased.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It is composed of six stanzas, each with four lines. The consistent structure creates a sense of rhythm and flow, which adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of repetition is also effective. The repeated use of the word "oh" emphasizes the speaker's grief and adds to the poem's overall tone.
The language of the poem is beautiful and poetic. Millay's use of imagery creates a vivid picture of the natural world. The use of metaphors, such as "purple asters" and "goldenrod," adds to the poem's beauty and creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The language is also simple and direct, which adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of the word "beloved" in the final stanza is particularly effective. It emphasizes the depth of the speaker's love for the deceased and adds to the poem's overall message of love and acceptance.
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Elegy" is a beautiful and moving tribute to a loved one who has passed away. The poem captures the essence of grief and loss and explores the meaning of life and death. The structure and language of the poem are simple but effective, creating a sense of rhythm and flow that adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of repetition and imagery adds to the poem's beauty and creates a sense of peace and tranquility. The final stanza is a message of love and acceptance, reminding us to cherish the memories of those we have lost and to let them rest in peace.
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