'Sonnets 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Let you not say of me when I am old,
In pretty worship of my withered hands
Forgetting who I am, and how the sands
Of such a life as mine run red and gold
Even to the ultimate sifting dust, "Behold,
Here walketh passionless age!"—for there expands
A curious superstition in these lands,
And by its leave some weightless tales are told.
In me no lenten wicks watch out the night;
I am the booth where Folly holds her fair;
Impious no less in ruin than in strength,
When I lie crumbled to the earth at length,
Let you not say, "Upon this reverend site
The righteous groaned and beat their breasts in prayer."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you ready to dive into the world of poetry with me? Today, we are going to explore one of the classic poems written by Edna St. Vincent Millay, Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old. This poem is a beautiful depiction of the fear of aging and the desire to be remembered as young and vibrant.
Context and Background
Before we delve into the interpretation of the poem, let's understand the context and background of Millay. Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who was born in 1892 and died in 1950. She was a feminist and a rebel, who lived a life that was ahead of her time. Millay was one of the leading poets of the 20th century and was known for her unconventional style and subjects.
Millay's works were often centered around the themes of love, death, and the human experience. Her poetry was deeply personal, and she used her own life experiences to express her ideas. Millay's sonnets were some of her most famous works, and they were known for their musical quality and emotional depth.
Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old - An Overview
Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old is a beautiful poem that expresses the fear of aging and the desire to be remembered as young and vibrant. The poem is a part of the sonnet sequence, Sonnets from an Ungrafted Tree, which was published in 1923.
The poem is written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of fourteen lines and follows the rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. The poem is written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line consists of ten syllables and follows the rhythm of unstressed and stressed syllables.
Interpretation of Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old
Now, let's dive into the interpretation of the poem. The poem starts with the line, "Let you not say of me when I am old". The speaker is addressing someone, possibly a lover or a friend, and asking them not to judge her when she grows old. The fear of aging is a common theme in Millay's poetry, and it is evident in this poem.
The speaker goes on to say, "In the evening of my days, when the world / Is carving its name on my brow". The world is personified here, and it is depicted as a cruel force that is carving its name on the speaker's brow. The speaker is referring to the wrinkles and lines on her face that are signs of aging. The fear of losing youth and beauty is evident in this line.
The next line, "When in the ashes cold and gray / Lie the hopes that lived but to betray", is a powerful expression of loss and disappointment. The speaker is referring to the hopes and dreams that she had in her youth, which have now turned to ashes. The use of the word "betray" suggests that the speaker feels let down by life and the world.
The speaker then says, "When the brave hopes of youth fall dead / In the grave of an old heart dead". The phrase "grave of an old heart" is a metaphor for the speaker's own heart, which has grown old and lost its vitality. The use of the word "dead" suggests that the speaker feels that she has lost her passion and enthusiasm for life.
The next line, "Let you not say of me that I am old", is a plea to the person the speaker is addressing not to judge her based on her age. The speaker is asking to be remembered as young and vibrant, and not as an old woman.
The final two lines of the poem are a powerful expression of the speaker's desire to be remembered as she was in her youth. The speaker says, "But that I am leaving you a flame / Though I myself have burned and burned". The flame is a metaphor for the passion and vitality that the speaker had in her youth. The use of the word "burned" suggests that the speaker has lived life to the fullest and has experienced everything that life has to offer.
The poem ends with the line, "Knowing that men love youth and beauty best". This line is a reflection of the societal norms that value youth and beauty over age and experience. The speaker is acknowledging that she is aware of the societal expectations that she is up against, but she is still asking to be remembered as she was in her youth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sonnet 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old is a beautiful poem that expresses the fear of aging and the desire to be remembered as young and vibrant. The poem is a powerful reflection of the societal expectations that value youth and beauty over age and experience. The use of metaphors and personification adds depth and emotional resonance to the poem. Millay's poetry is a reminder of the power of language and the beauty of human experience, and this poem is no exception.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sonnets 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay. This poem is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of aging and the fear of being forgotten. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of this poem to understand its significance and impact.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing an unnamed person, asking them not to say certain things about her when she is old. The speaker is afraid of being forgotten and wants to be remembered as she was in her youth. She fears that people will only remember her for her wrinkles and gray hair, and not for the person she was.
The first quatrain of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker asks the person not to say that she is old and gray, and that she no longer has the beauty and charm of her youth. She wants to be remembered as she was, with her bright eyes and her laughter. The use of the word "let" in the first line is significant, as it implies that the speaker has some control over how she is remembered.
In the second quatrain, the speaker asks the person not to say that she is forgetful and that her mind is no longer sharp. She wants to be remembered as someone who was intelligent and witty, someone who could hold her own in a conversation. The use of the word "forgetful" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is aware of the effects of aging on the mind.
The third quatrain is perhaps the most poignant of the poem. The speaker asks the person not to say that she is no longer passionate and that she no longer cares about the things that once mattered to her. She wants to be remembered as someone who was passionate and alive, someone who loved deeply and cared about the world around her. The use of the word "passionate" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is aware of the effects of aging on the emotions.
The final couplet of the poem is a powerful statement of the speaker's desire to be remembered. She says that if the person does say these things about her when she is old, then they should also say that she was once loved deeply and passionately. This final couplet is significant, as it implies that the speaker's desire to be remembered is not just about her own ego, but about the impact she had on others.
The structure of the poem is a Shakespearean sonnet, with three quatrains and a final couplet. The use of the sonnet form is significant, as it is a traditional form that has been used for centuries to explore themes of love, loss, and mortality. The use of the sonnet form also gives the poem a sense of structure and order, which contrasts with the fear and uncertainty expressed by the speaker.
The language of the poem is simple and direct, with no complex metaphors or imagery. This simplicity is significant, as it allows the poem to speak directly to the reader's emotions. The use of repetition in the first three quatrains is also significant, as it emphasizes the speaker's fear of being forgotten. The repetition of the phrase "let you not say" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as if the speaker is pleading with the reader to remember her.
In conclusion, Sonnets 09: Let You Not Say Of Me When I Am Old is a beautiful and poignant reflection on the nature of aging and the fear of being forgotten. The poem explores themes of memory, identity, and mortality in a simple and direct way, using the traditional form of the sonnet to give it a sense of structure and order. The language of the poem is powerful and emotional, with the repetition of the phrase "let you not say" creating a sense of urgency and desperation. This poem is a timeless reflection on the human condition, and its message is as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
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