'Tavern' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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I'll keep a little tavern
Below the high hill's crest,
Wherein all grey-eyed people
May set them down and rest.
There shall be plates a-plenty,
And mugs to melt the chill
Of all the grey-eyed people
Who happen up the hill.
There sound will sleep the traveller,
And dream his journey's end,
But I will rouse at midnight
The falling fire to tend.
Aye, 'tis a curious fancy—
But all the good I know
Was taught me out of two grey eyes
A long time ago.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Tavern by Edna St. Vincent Millay: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that captures the essence of a night out with friends at the local pub? Look no further than Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Tavern." This classic poem, first published in 1921, paints a vivid picture of a lively tavern scene and delves into themes of camaraderie, escapism, and mortality.
Structure and Form
Let's start with the structure and form of the poem. "Tavern" is a five-stanza poem, each with four lines. It follows a simple ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines rhyming and the second and fourth lines rhyming. The poem is written in iambic tetrameter, meaning each line has four iambs, or metrical feet, with two syllables each. This meter gives the poem a steady, rhythmic quality that suits the subject matter of a bustling tavern.
The poem's form is also notable for its use of enjambment, or the continuation of a sentence or idea across multiple lines. For example, the first stanza reads:
There were some dirty plates and a glass of milk beside her on a small table near the rank, disheveled bed.
The sentence doesn't end until the fourth line, and the enjambment creates a sense of momentum and urgency in the description of the scene. This technique is used throughout the poem to great effect.
Imagery and Theme
So, what is "Tavern" actually about? On the surface, it's a description of a woman who is drinking alone in a dirty room in a rundown tavern. But as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that Millay is using this specific setting to explore broader themes of human connection, escapism, and the inevitability of death.
Let's look at some of the imagery in the poem to unpack these themes. In the first stanza, we get a sense of the squalor of the room the woman is in: there are dirty plates and a rank, disheveled bed. The glass of milk is a small detail that adds to the overall sense of neglect and loneliness. The woman is clearly seeking some kind of comfort or distraction, but the setting she's in is anything but soothing.
In the second stanza, Millay introduces the other patrons of the tavern:
There were men with sober, frowning faces, and women, clinking foolish glasses, and singing with cracked voices. A little girl cried somewhere.
The contrast between the woman's solitary drinking and the lively, if somewhat sad, scene around her is striking. The men and women are described as "sober" and "clinking foolish glasses," suggesting that they, too, are seeking some kind of escape from their lives. The little girl's crying adds to the sense of sadness and desperation in the room.
In the third stanza, Millay turns her attention to the bartender:
The clock looked on with jaundiced eye. The bartender slept, Mouth open, Snoring gently, Where he lay.
The clock is personified as having a "jaundiced eye," suggesting that time is not on the side of these people who are seeking refuge in the tavern. The bartender's sleeping form is a powerful image of someone who has given up on trying to make sense of the world around him. He is numb to the chaos and noise around him and has retreated into sleep.
In the fourth stanza, Millay brings the focus back to the woman:
The woman, sipping lonely, and half asleep, watched a man with a wisp of a girl pull waltzes around the room.
The contrast between the woman's loneliness and the couple's intimacy is striking. The woman is disconnected from the world around her, but she is still watching and observing. The man and woman dancing are a reminder that life goes on, even in the midst of despair.
Finally, in the fifth stanza, Millay brings the poem to a close:
The clock, sobbing cheerfully, mourned for the dead. The bartender stirred in his sleep, and the little girl began to weep.
The clock's "cheerful" sobbing is a powerful image of the unstoppable march of time. The bartender's stirring suggests that even he can't sleep forever, and the little girl's weeping is a reminder of the sadness and pain of the world outside the tavern.
All of these images and themes combine to create a rich, layered poem that captures the essence of human longing and despair. "Tavern" is a poem that is both specific in its setting and universal in its scope.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Tavern" is a classic poem that deserves to be remembered for its evocative imagery and powerful themes. Edna St. Vincent Millay was a master of language and form, and this poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. Whether you're a regular at your local pub or just looking for a poem that captures the complexities of the human experience, "Tavern" is a must-read.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Tavern by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that captures the essence of a lively and bustling tavern. The poem is a vivid description of the sights, sounds, and smells of a tavern, and it transports the reader to a world of merriment and revelry. In this analysis, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Millay to create this masterpiece.
The poem begins with a description of the tavern's exterior, with its "shining sign" and "open door." The use of imagery here is significant, as it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The shining sign suggests that the tavern is a beacon of light in an otherwise dark and dreary world, while the open door invites the reader to step inside and join in the festivities.
As we move inside the tavern, Millay's use of sensory imagery becomes even more pronounced. The reader can almost smell the "smoke and beer" and hear the "laughter and song." The use of synesthesia, where one sense is described in terms of another, is particularly effective here. The reader can almost taste the beer and feel the warmth of the fire.
The poem then shifts to a description of the people inside the tavern. Millay's use of language here is particularly interesting. She describes the patrons as "men and women," rather than simply "people." This suggests that the tavern is a place where gender roles are blurred, and everyone is equal. The use of the word "jostling" also suggests a sense of camaraderie and community, as everyone is packed tightly together.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Millay describes the "broken glass" and "bloody fights" that sometimes occur in the tavern. This serves as a reminder that even in the midst of all the merriment, there is still a sense of danger and violence lurking beneath the surface. The use of the word "bloody" is particularly effective here, as it conjures up images of a brutal and savage fight.
Despite this, the poem ends on a positive note, with Millay describing the "friendly hand" and "smiling face" of the tavern's patrons. This suggests that even in the midst of all the chaos and violence, there is still a sense of community and friendship that binds everyone together.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is Millay's use of repetition. The phrase "men and women" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the sense of equality and community that exists in the tavern. The phrase "laughter and song" is also repeated, emphasizing the joy and merriment that can be found there.
Another interesting aspect of the poem is Millay's use of contrast. The description of the broken glass and bloody fights serves as a stark contrast to the earlier description of the laughter and song. This contrast serves to emphasize the sense of danger and violence that exists in the tavern, while also highlighting the sense of joy and community that exists there.
In terms of themes, one of the most prominent is the idea of community. The tavern serves as a gathering place for people from all walks of life, and the sense of camaraderie and friendship that exists there is palpable. This theme is emphasized by Millay's use of repetition and contrast, as well as her vivid descriptions of the tavern's patrons.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of danger and violence. While the tavern is a place of merriment and revelry, there is also a sense of danger and violence lurking beneath the surface. This theme is emphasized by Millay's description of the broken glass and bloody fights, as well as her use of language throughout the poem.
Overall, Tavern by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a classic poem that captures the essence of a lively and bustling tavern. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and contrast, Millay creates a world that is both joyous and dangerous, a world where people from all walks of life can come together and find a sense of community. It is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Millay's skill as a poet.
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