'Spring' by Edna St. Vincent Millay


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To what purpose, April, do you return again?
Beauty is not enough.
You can no longer quiet me with the redness
Of little leaves opening stickily.
I know what I know.
The sun is hot on my neck as I observe
The spikes of the crocus.
The smell of the earth is good.
It is apparent that there is no death.
But what does that signify?
Not only under ground are the brains of men
Eaten by maggots.
Life in itself
Is nothing,
An empty cup, a flight of uncarpeted stairs.
It is not enough that yearly, down this hill,
April
Comes like an idiot, babbling and strewing flowers
.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Spring by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Oh, spring! The season of renewal, rebirth, and rejuvenation. Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Spring" captures the essence of this beautiful season through her words. The poem is a masterpiece in its own right, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes Millay has touched upon, the metaphors she has used, and the emotions she has conveyed through her poetic language.

Background

"Spring" is a poem from Millay's collection Second April, published in 1921. The collection was a follow-up to her debut collection, Renascence and Other Poems, which established her as a prominent voice in American poetry. The Second April included poems that dealt with Millay's personal life, love, loss, and the beauty of nature. "Spring" is one such poem that celebrates the beauty of spring and the joy it brings to our lives.

Themes

The poem is a celebration of spring and its various aspects. Millay has touched upon several themes in the poem, such as renewal, rebirth, love, beauty, and joy.

Renewal and Rebirth

The poem begins with the line, "To what purpose, April, do you return again?" This line sets the tone for the poem and introduces the theme of renewal and rebirth. The speaker wonders why spring returns every year and what purpose it serves. The answer lies in the next few lines, where the speaker talks about how spring brings life back to the dead earth, and everything springs back to life. The trees and flowers bloom again, and the birds return to sing their sweet melodies. The speaker marvels at the miracle of nature and how it rejuvenates itself every year.

Love

Millay has used the metaphor of love to describe the beauty of spring. The speaker says, "Love, with little hands, comes and touches you with a thousand memories." Here, love refers to the beauty of spring, which touches our hearts with its beauty and reminds us of the memories we have associated with it. The speaker talks about how the beauty of spring fills our hearts with love and joy, and we cannot help but feel grateful for the season and all that it brings.

Beauty

The poem is a celebration of the beauty of spring. Millay has used vivid images to describe the beauty of the season. The speaker talks about how the "tender greening of the woods" and "the delicate unfolding of the leaves" bring a sense of joy and wonder to our hearts. The beauty of spring is not just limited to nature; it also touches our lives in various ways. The speaker talks about how spring brings "the lilacs, open-handed" and "the tulips, opening their cups." The beauty of spring is all-encompassing and touches every aspect of our lives.

Joy

The poem is full of joy and happiness. The speaker marvels at the beauty of spring and how it fills our hearts with joy. The speaker talks about how the "green earth, the happy soil" and "the blue air, the sunny air" bring a sense of joy and happiness to our lives. Spring is a season of new beginnings and fresh starts, and the speaker talks about how it brings a sense of hope and optimism to our lives.

Metaphors

Millay has used several metaphors in the poem to describe the beauty of spring.

Love

Millay has used the metaphor of love to describe the beauty of spring. The speaker refers to spring as "Love, with little hands." This metaphor personifies spring as a person who comes and touches us with its beauty and fills our hearts with love and joy.

Rejuvenation

Millay has used the metaphor of rejuvenation to describe the beauty of spring. The speaker talks about how spring brings "the tender greening of the woods" and "the delicate unfolding of the leaves." This metaphor describes how spring rejuvenates nature and brings it back to life after the long winter months.

Beauty

Millay has used several metaphors to describe the beauty of spring. The speaker talks about how spring brings "the lilacs, open-handed" and "the tulips, opening their cups." These metaphors describe the beauty of spring and how it touches our lives in various ways.

Poetic Language

Millay's poetic language is beautiful and lyrical. She has used vivid images and metaphors to describe the beauty of spring. The poem is full of sensory details that transport the reader to the world of spring.

Imagery

Millay's use of imagery is stunning. She has described the beauty of spring with vivid images such as "the blue air, the sunny air" and "the tender greening of the woods." These images bring the beauty of spring to life and transport the reader to the world of spring.

Personification

Millay has used personification to describe the beauty of spring. She has personified spring as a person who comes and touches us with its beauty and fills our hearts with love and joy. This personification adds a sense of warmth and intimacy to the poem.

Rhyme and Meter

The poem has a regular rhyme and meter. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter. This regularity gives the poem a musical quality and adds to its beauty.

Conclusion

"Spring" is a beautiful poem that celebrates the beauty of spring and the joy it brings to our lives. Millay has used vivid images, metaphors, and poetic language to describe the beauty of spring. The poem is full of love, beauty, and joy, and it transports the reader to the world of spring. It is a masterpiece in its own right and a testament to Millay's talent as a poet.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Spring is a classic poem written by Edna St. Vincent Millay that captures the essence of the season in a beautiful and vivid way. The poem is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the renewal of life that it brings. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand the deeper meaning behind it.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing the season of spring directly, saying "To what purpose, April, do you return again?" This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of wonder and awe at the beauty of spring. The speaker is questioning the purpose of spring's return, but it is clear that they are not really looking for an answer. Instead, they are marveling at the beauty of the season and the way it transforms the world around them.

The first stanza of the poem describes the arrival of spring in vivid detail. The speaker describes the "earth in her glory" and the way that the "birds are singing around her." The imagery used here is powerful and evocative, painting a picture of a world that is bursting with life and energy. The use of personification, where the earth is given human-like qualities, adds to the sense of wonder and magic that surrounds the season.

In the second stanza, the speaker continues to describe the beauty of spring, focusing on the way that it transforms the natural world. They describe the "blossoms on the trees" and the "green grass on the hills," painting a picture of a world that is alive and vibrant. The use of color imagery is particularly effective here, as the green of the grass and the pink of the blossoms create a vivid and striking contrast.

The third stanza of the poem shifts focus slightly, as the speaker begins to reflect on the way that spring affects them personally. They describe the way that the season "stirs the blood" and "makes the heart leap." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that spring has a transformative effect on the speaker's emotions and physical being. The use of the word "leap" is particularly effective here, as it suggests a sudden and dramatic change.

The fourth stanza of the poem returns to the theme of the natural world, as the speaker describes the way that spring brings new life to the world. They describe the "new lambs" and the "new leaves" that are appearing everywhere. This is a powerful image, as it suggests that spring is a time of renewal and rebirth. The use of the word "new" is particularly effective here, as it emphasizes the sense of freshness and vitality that spring brings.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the way that spring is a reminder of the beauty and wonder of the natural world. They describe the way that spring "reminds us of what we have been and what we are to be." This is a powerful image, as it suggests that spring is not just a season, but a reminder of our place in the world and our connection to nature.

Overall, Spring is a beautiful and powerful poem that captures the essence of the season in a vivid and evocative way. The use of imagery, personification, and color all contribute to the sense of wonder and magic that surrounds the season. The poem is a celebration of the beauty and vitality of the natural world, and a reminder of our place in it. As we read the poem, we are reminded of the power of nature to transform us and to renew our spirits.

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