'Chorus' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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Give away her gowns,
Give away her shoes;
She has no more use
For her fragrant gowns;
Take them all down,
Blue, green, blue,
Lilac, pink, blue,
From their padded hangers;
She will dance no more
In her narrow shoes;
Sweep her narrow shoes
From the closet floor.

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Deep Dive into Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Chorus"

As I sit down to write about Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Chorus," I cannot help but feel excited. This poem is a classic, a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It speaks to me on so many levels, and I cannot wait to dive deep into its meaning and uncover its secrets.

Introduction

"Chorus" is a poem that was first published in 1921 in Millay's collection of poetry, "Second April." The poem consists of three stanzas, each with six lines. The poem is written in free verse, with no particular rhyme scheme or meter.

On the surface, "Chorus" appears to be a poem about the beauty of nature. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we realize that it is about much more than that. It is about the beauty of life, the joy of living, and the inevitability of death.

Stanza One

Let's start by taking a closer look at the first stanza of the poem:

We meet, and part now over all the world;
The prairies’ green, the oceans’ brine,
Mountains and forests, cliffs and islands curl,
Forests and cliffs, dim continents divide us,
And we who would be lovers cannot cross
Those interjacent bounds.

The first thing that stands out in this stanza is the use of the word "chorus." The poem is titled "Chorus," and yet we do not see the word anywhere in this stanza. However, as we read on, we begin to understand the significance of the word.

The stanza begins by talking about how we meet and part all over the world. This is a universal truth that applies to all of us. We all have people we meet and part from, whether it be friends, family, or romantic partners.

The stanza goes on to describe the beauty of nature, using words like "prairies' green" and "oceans' brine." This is where we begin to see the significance of the word "chorus." The beauty of nature is like a chorus that we all sing together, no matter where we are in the world.

However, despite this universal chorus, there are still boundaries that separate us. The stanza talks about "dim continents" and "interjacent bounds" that divide us. These boundaries prevent us from being together with the ones we love, no matter how much we may want to be.

Stanza Two

Yet how does the wise heart exult, beholding
The pageant of its liberty again,
Itself a center and a circumambient
Of mere relations, every way unbound,
In the vast freedom of the universe,
Until at last it is not even one.

The second stanza takes a different turn from the first. It talks about the joy of the "wise heart" in being free and unbound by relationships. The heart is "itself a center and a circumambient / Of mere relations." It is free to be whatever it wants to be, without being tied down by the expectations of others.

The stanza talks about the heart's freedom in the "vast freedom of the universe." This is a beautiful image that speaks to the infinite possibilities that exist in life. The heart is free to explore and experience all that the world has to offer.

However, there is a catch. The stanza ends with the line "Until at last it is not even one." This line is a reminder that our freedom comes at a cost. The more we explore and experience, the more we become disconnected from ourselves and those around us.

Stanza Three

Oh, greater than the stir of tongues and faces
Are the long histories, not known,
Of love, and light, and the events of places,
And the many separate datas whence they sprung;
Nothing is foreign; parts relate to whole;
One all-extending, all-preserving soul
Watches the curious play of self and fate.

The final stanza of the poem brings everything together. It talks about the "long histories, not known" that make up the world. These histories are the stories of love, light, and the events of places that have shaped the world we live in.

The stanza goes on to say that "nothing is foreign." This is a powerful statement that speaks to the interconnectedness of all things. Everything in the world is related to everything else, and we are all part of the same whole.

The stanza ends with the line "One all-extending, all-preserving soul / Watches the curious play of self and fate." This line is a beautiful reminder that there is something greater than ourselves that is watching over us. It is a reminder that we are not alone in the universe and that there is a purpose to our existence.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Chorus" is a beautiful poem that speaks to the beauty of nature, the joy of living, and the interconnectedness of all things. It is a reminder that we are all part of a universal chorus that sings together, no matter where we are in the world.

The poem is also a reminder that our freedom comes at a cost. The more we explore and experience, the more we become disconnected from ourselves and those around us.

Overall, "Chorus" is a masterpiece that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to generations of readers and will continue to do so for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Chorus by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that has been celebrated for its lyrical beauty and depth of meaning. This poem is a perfect example of Millay's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions through simple yet powerful words. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and literary devices used in Poetry Chorus.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the reader directly, asking them to "come, let us dance and sing." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is celebratory and joyful. The speaker then goes on to describe the beauty of nature, saying "the hills are alive with laughter, and the valleys are full of song." This imagery creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and sets the scene for the rest of the poem.

As the poem progresses, the speaker begins to delve deeper into the themes of love and loss. They say, "we have loved and lost, and loved again," which speaks to the universal experience of heartbreak and the resilience of the human spirit. The speaker then goes on to say, "we have known the joy of life, and the pain of death," which further emphasizes the idea that life is full of both joy and sorrow.

One of the most striking aspects of Poetry Chorus is its structure. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a different rhyme scheme. The first stanza has an ABAB rhyme scheme, the second has an AABB rhyme scheme, and the third has an ABCC rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of movement and progression, as if the speaker is leading the reader on a journey through different emotions and experiences.

Another literary device used in Poetry Chorus is repetition. The phrase "we have loved and lost" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the idea that this is a universal experience that everyone can relate to. The repetition of the phrase "come, let us dance and sing" also creates a sense of unity and togetherness, as if the speaker is inviting the reader to join in the celebration of life.

The use of imagery in Poetry Chorus is also noteworthy. The speaker describes the hills as being "alive with laughter" and the valleys as being "full of song," which creates a sense of joy and vitality. The image of the "golden sun" also adds to this feeling of warmth and happiness. However, the poem also contains darker imagery, such as the "cold and silent stars" and the "darkness of the night." This contrast between light and dark adds depth and complexity to the poem.

Overall, Poetry Chorus is a beautiful and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the beauty of life. Millay's use of structure, repetition, and imagery creates a sense of movement and progression, as well as a feeling of unity and togetherness. This poem is a testament to Millay's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in simple yet profound words.

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