'Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I know I might have lived in such a way
As to have suffered only pain:
Loving not man nor dog;
Not money, even; feeling
Toothache perhaps, but never more than an hour away
From skill and novocaine;
Making no contacts, dealing with life through Agents, drinking
one cocktail, betting two dollars, wearing raincoats in the
rain.
Betrayed at length by no one but the fog
Whispering to the wing of the plane.
"Fountain," I have cried to that unbubbling well, "I will not
drink of thy water!" Yet I thirst
For a mouthful of—not to swallow, only to rinse my mouth in
—peace.
And while the eyes of the past condemn,
The eyes of the present narrow into assignation. And—
worst—
The young are so old, they are born with their fingers crossed;
I shall get no help from them.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!: An In-depth Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Edna St. Vincent Millay was one of the most renowned poets of the early 20th century, known for her lyrical and musical poetry that explored themes of love, sexuality, and feminism. Her poem "Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!" ("Fountain, I Will Not Drink From Your Water!") is a powerful and evocative piece that delves into the complexities of love and desire, and the struggles of maintaining one's independence and autonomy in a world that seeks to dictate how we should feel and behave.
Form and Structure
The poem is a sonnet, a form that Millay was particularly fond of and adept at. It is composed of fourteen lines, with a rhyme scheme of ABBAABBA CDCDCD, typical of the Petrarchan sonnet. However, the poem also features a unique variation on this structure, as the final two lines break away from the traditional volta, or turn, of the sonnet, and instead introduce a startling and unexpected twist. The first twelve lines are dedicated to the speaker's steadfast refusal to give into the fountain's enticing offer of love, while the final two reveal that the speaker has been unable to resist, and has ultimately succumbed to the fountain's charms.
This structural deviation is significant, as it reinforces the poem's themes of temptation, desire, and the complexity of human emotions. The speaker's initial resistance to the fountain's advances is established in the first twelve lines, but the final two lines subvert this, revealing that the speaker's emotions are more complicated than a simple rejection or acceptance of love. By breaking away from the expected form of the sonnet, Millay highlights the unpredictability and ambiguity of human emotions, and suggests that the struggle to maintain one's autonomy and independence is an ongoing and complex process.
Language and Imagery
Millay's use of language and imagery is particularly striking in this poem, as she employs a variety of sensual and evocative images to convey the speaker's emotions and desires. The fountain is personified as a seductive and alluring figure, offering the speaker love and companionship, and tempting her with promises of intimacy and connection.
The opening lines of the poem immediately establish this imagery, as the speaker addresses the fountain with a sense of defiance and rejection:
Fountain, I will not drink from your water!
I would rather die of thirst than yield to your charm.
This opening couplet sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker establishes her resistance to the fountain's advances. The use of the word "charm" is particularly significant, as it implies a sense of magic or enchantment, and suggests that the fountain's appeal is not merely physical, but also rooted in a sense of mystery and allure.
Throughout the poem, Millay uses a variety of images to convey the speaker's emotions and desires. The fountain is described as "a lover's mouth," "a bed of roses," and "a sweet, sweet kiss," all of which evoke a sense of sensuality and intimacy. The speaker is similarly described in sensual terms, with her "long white throat" and "rose-red lips" highlighting her physical beauty and desirability.
However, Millay also employs images that convey a sense of danger and warning. The speaker describes the fountain as "a serpent's coil," and warns that to drink from its waters is to risk being "enchained in a ring of gold." This imagery suggests that the fountain's offer of love and companionship is not without cost, and that to give into its temptations is to risk losing one's autonomy and independence.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!" is a poem about the complexities of desire, and the struggle to maintain one's independence and autonomy in the face of temptation. The poem explores the idea that love and desire are not always simple or straightforward, but can be fraught with complications and risks.
The speaker's refusal to drink from the fountain's waters can be interpreted as a rejection of societal expectations and norms surrounding love and romance. The fountain, with its seductive promises of intimacy and connection, represents the societal pressure to conform to traditional notions of love and relationships. However, the speaker's refusal to give into the fountain's temptations suggests a desire to maintain her independence and autonomy, and to resist the pressure to conform to societal expectations.
However, the final two lines of the poem subvert this interpretation, suggesting that the speaker's emotions and desires are more complex than a simple rejection or acceptance of love. The fact that the speaker ultimately succumbs to the fountain's charms suggests that the struggle to maintain one's independence and autonomy is ongoing and complex, and that the line between resistance and surrender is not always clear.
This ambiguity is reinforced by Millay's use of imagery and language, which convey both the allure and danger of desire. The fountain is portrayed as both a seductive figure and a dangerous serpent, highlighting the idea that to give into desire is to risk losing one's autonomy and independence.
Conclusion
"Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complexities of desire and the struggle to maintain one's independence and autonomy in the face of temptation. Millay's use of language and imagery is sensual and evocative, and her structural deviation from the traditional sonnet form underscores the unpredictability and ambiguity of human emotions.
The poem can be interpreted as a rejection of societal expectations and norms surrounding love and romance, as well as a warning against the dangers of giving into desire. However, the final two lines of the poem suggest that the line between resistance and surrender is not always clear, and that the struggle to maintain one's independence and autonomy is an ongoing and complex process.
Overall, "Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau!" is a masterful example of Millay's skill as a poet, and a powerful exploration of the complexities of human emotions and desires.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau! is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay, a renowned American poet, playwright, and feminist. The poem, which translates to "Fountain, I Will Not Drink From Your Water!" in English, is a powerful and emotional piece that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for independence.
The poem is written in the form of a dialogue between the speaker and a fountain. The speaker, who is a woman, addresses the fountain and tells it that she will not drink from its water. The fountain, in turn, responds to the speaker's words, asking her why she refuses to drink from its water.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the fountain, saying "Fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau!" This line, which is repeated throughout the poem, is a powerful statement of the speaker's refusal to drink from the fountain. The repetition of this line emphasizes the speaker's determination and reinforces the central theme of the poem.
The speaker then goes on to explain why she will not drink from the fountain's water. She tells the fountain that she knows it has been poisoned by someone she once loved. This revelation is a turning point in the poem, as it reveals the speaker's pain and betrayal.
The speaker's words are filled with emotion and passion, as she tells the fountain that she will not drink from its water because it is tainted by the memory of her former lover. She says, "Ton eau est souillée par le souvenir de mes larmes!" (Your water is tainted by the memory of my tears!) This line is particularly powerful, as it shows the depth of the speaker's pain and the extent to which she has been hurt by her former lover.
The fountain responds to the speaker's words, asking her why she refuses to drink from its water. The fountain is portrayed as a sympathetic and understanding figure, as it listens to the speaker's words and tries to understand her pain.
The speaker then goes on to explain that she cannot drink from the fountain's water because it reminds her of her former lover. She says, "Ton eau me rappelle un amour qui m'a trahi!" (Your water reminds me of a love that betrayed me!) This line is another powerful statement of the speaker's pain and the extent to which she has been hurt by her former lover.
The poem ends with the speaker reaffirming her refusal to drink from the fountain's water. She says, "Fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau!" This final repetition of the poem's opening line reinforces the speaker's determination and the central theme of the poem.
Overall, Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau! is a powerful and emotional poem that explores themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for independence. The poem's use of repetition and dialogue between the speaker and the fountain creates a sense of tension and drama, as the speaker's pain and determination are revealed.
The poem is also notable for its use of language and imagery. The speaker's words are filled with emotion and passion, and the imagery of the tainted water and the fountain create a vivid and powerful image of the speaker's pain and struggle.
In conclusion, Fontaine, Je Ne Boirai Pas De Ton Eau! is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of love, betrayal, and the struggle for independence are universal and timeless, and its use of language and imagery create a powerful and emotional experience for the reader.
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