'Assault' by Edna St. Vincent Millay

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II had forgotten how the frogs must sound
After a year of silence, else I think
I should not so have ventured forth alone
At dusk upon this unfrequented road.III am waylaid by Beauty. Who will walk
Between me and the crying of the frogs?
Oh, savage Beauty, suffer me to pass,
That am a timid woman, on her way
From one house to another!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Assault: A Critical Interpretation of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s Poem

Are you a lover of poetry that explores the complexities of the human psyche? Do you enjoy reading works that delve deep into the nature of human interactions and relationships? Then you must read Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem, “Assault.” It is a masterpiece that explores the dynamics of a sexual encounter, one that is both consensual and non-consensual, and the psychological aftermath of such an event.

“Assault” is a short poem that comprises four stanzas, each consisting of five lines. The poem opens with a vivid description of a sexual act, one that appears to be consensual, but is fraught with underlying tensions and anxieties. The speaker, presumably the victim, describes the act in graphic detail, revealing her discomfort and apprehension. She says,

“Against the shifting quivering shadows of the bed I toss, I turn;
With arms thrown wide, I struggle in the grip Of impotent desire, And gnaw my lips in silence lest you hear.”

The use of imagery here is powerful, as the shifting quivering shadows of the bed suggest the instability and uncertainty of the situation. The speaker’s struggle in the grip of impotent desire indicates her inability to resist the act, even though she wants to. The final line, “And gnaw my lips in silence lest you hear,” encapsulates the speaker’s sense of powerlessness and fear.

In the second stanza, the speaker reveals the non-consensual nature of the encounter. She says,

“Into the night we sink Like moths into the fathomless,
Unsearchable abyss of love,
Until, with sudden, ghastly pang of doubt,
I wake.”

The metaphor of moths sinking into an abyss of love is both beautiful and haunting. It suggests the sense of surrender and inevitability that the speaker feels, as she is pulled into the sexual encounter. However, the sudden pang of doubt that she experiences suggests that something has gone wrong, that the encounter has taken a turn that she did not want or expect.

The third stanza is perhaps the most powerful and revealing. The speaker describes the psychological aftermath of the assault, as she struggles to come to terms with what has happened. She says,

“Breathless I lie, and with a broken wing Beat the spent air,
Straining my eyes against the blinding light
Until I see
Your face, and know that all was well with you.”

The image of the speaker lying breathless and with a broken wing is a poignant and powerful one. It suggests the pain and trauma that she has experienced, as well as her sense of vulnerability and helplessness. The line, “Straining my eyes against the blinding light,” suggests her struggle to make sense of what has happened, while the final line, “And know that all was well with you,” reveals her sense of betrayal and anger.

The final stanza is a culmination of the themes explored in the previous stanzas. The speaker confronts the reality of what has happened and her response to it. She says,

“Then, with a bitter smile, I turn away
And bury deep my face
In the cool beauty of the pillow, dreaming
Of violated things -
The echo of a footstep in the street.”

The bitter smile suggests the speaker’s sense of resignation and acceptance, while the burying of her face in the cool beauty of the pillow suggests her need for comfort and solace. The final lines, “Dreaming of violated things - the echo of a footstep in the street,” encapsulate the speaker’s sense of violation and trauma.

In conclusion, “Assault” is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the complex and often fraught dynamics of sexual encounters. It is a poem that reveals the vulnerability and powerlessness of the victim, as well as the psychological aftermath of such an event. Edna St. Vincent Millay’s use of vivid imagery and metaphor creates a powerful sense of atmosphere and tension, while her exploration of the themes of power, consent, and violation make this poem an important and relevant work, even today.

So, if you are looking for a poem that will challenge your perceptions of sexuality and power, or if you simply want to read a work of art that is both beautiful and haunting, you must read “Assault” by Edna St. Vincent Millay. You will not be disappointed.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to move people in ways that other forms of expression cannot. It has the ability to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in our minds, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers is Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Poetry Assault."

"Poetry Assault" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the beauty and power of poetry. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with its own unique message and tone. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Millay describing the power of poetry to transport us to different worlds and evoke emotions that we may not have experienced before.

The second stanza is where the poem really starts to come alive. Millay describes the power of poetry to awaken our senses and make us feel alive. She writes, "It makes us taste the salt of tears, / And hear the thunder of the years." This line is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the ability of poetry to make us feel things that we may not have felt before. It is through poetry that we can experience the full range of human emotions, from joy and love to sadness and despair.

The third and final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful of all. Millay writes, "It makes us see, it makes us hear, / And weep, and laugh, and shout, and fear, / And fall in love with all the world." This line speaks to the transformative power of poetry, and how it has the ability to change us in profound ways. Through poetry, we can see the world in a new light, and we can fall in love with it all over again.

One of the most striking things about "Poetry Assault" is the way that Millay uses language to create vivid images in our minds. Her use of metaphors and similes is particularly effective, as it helps to bring the poem to life. For example, she writes, "It is the sea, and we are the fish, / And we swim in its depths at will." This metaphor is particularly powerful, as it speaks to the way that poetry can envelop us and transport us to different worlds.

Another thing that makes "Poetry Assault" so powerful is the way that it speaks to the universal human experience. No matter who we are or where we come from, we all have the ability to be moved by poetry. Millay writes, "It is the voice of all the world, / And we are the listeners." This line speaks to the way that poetry has the power to connect us all, and to remind us of our shared humanity.

In conclusion, "Poetry Assault" is a powerful and evocative poem that speaks to the beauty and power of poetry. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Edna St. Vincent Millay reminds us of the transformative power of poetry, and how it has the ability to transport us to different worlds and evoke emotions that we may not have experienced before. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and serves as a reminder of its importance in our lives.

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