'Underground System' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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Set the foot down with distrust upon the crust of the
world—it is thin.
Moles are at work beneath us; they have tunneled the
sub-soil
With separate chambers; which at an appointed knock
Could be as one, could intersect and interlock. We walk
on the skin
Of life. No toil
Of rake or hoe, no lime, no phosphate, no rotation of
crops, no irrigation of the land,
Will coax the limp and flattened grain to stand
On that bad day, or feed to strength the nibbled root's of
our nation.
Ease has demoralized us, nearly so, we know
Nothing of the rigours of winter: The house has a roof
against—the car a top against—the snow.
All will be well, we say, it is a bit, like the rising of the
sun,
For our country to prosper; who can prevail against us?
No one.
The house has a roof; but the boards of its floor are
rotting, and hall upon hall
The moles have built their palace beneath us, we have
not far to fall.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Subterranean Beauty of Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Underground System"
There are poems that are beautiful because of their surface-level meaning, and then there are those that are beautiful because of the depths they contain. Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Underground System" is a poem that falls into the latter category. It is a poem that explores the concept of the underground, both literally and metaphorically, and it does so in a way that is both profound and beautiful. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes and symbolism present in "Underground System" and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The Literal Underground
The first thing that comes to mind when one reads the title "Underground System" is the literal underground. The poem begins with a description of a subway station, with its tiled walls and flickering lights. In this setting, Millay introduces us to the concept of the underground as a physical space, a place that is hidden and dark. But she also shows us that there is beauty in this darkness, as she describes the "sudden release of light" that comes with the arrival of a train.
As the poem progresses, Millay takes us deeper into the underground system, describing the tunnels and the trains that run through them. She writes of the "iron beasts" that roar through the darkness, and of the "long, deep tunnels" that they travel through. Through her vivid descriptions, Millay creates a sense of awe and wonder at the underground system, a feeling that is echoed in the final stanza of the poem when she writes, "The underground system is a great and beautiful thing."
But the literal underground is not the only thing that Millay is exploring in this poem. There is also a metaphorical underground that runs throughout the poem, one that is just as important as the physical underground.
The Metaphorical Underground
The metaphorical underground in "Underground System" refers to the hidden parts of ourselves, the things that we keep buried deep inside. It is the darkness that lies within us, the parts of ourselves that we do not show to the world. Millay explores this idea through her use of symbolism, most notably the image of the train.
The train in this poem represents the things that we keep hidden within ourselves. It is the "iron beast" that roars through the darkness of our souls. It is the thing that we fear, the thing that we try to escape from, but that we cannot ever truly leave behind. Millay writes, "The train goes where it will, / dragging its long, dark tail behind it." This image of the train dragging its dark tail behind it is a powerful one, as it suggests that we are always carrying our darkness with us, even when we try to leave it behind.
Another symbol that Millay uses to explore the metaphorical underground is the idea of the subway station as a gateway. The station represents the point at which we enter into the darkness, the point at which we begin our descent into the underground. But it also represents the point at which we can choose to leave the darkness behind and return to the light. Millay writes, "You can go in at one end / and come out at the other / and leave the darkness behind you." This image of the subway station as a gateway is a powerful one, as it suggests that we have the power to choose whether or not we stay in the darkness.
The Beauty of the Underground
Despite the darkness and the fear that the underground represents, Millay also shows us that there is beauty to be found in this hidden world. She writes of the "sudden release of light" that comes with the arrival of a train, and of the "great and beautiful thing" that is the underground system. Through her writing, Millay creates a sense of wonder and awe at the underground, a feeling that is echoed in the final stanza of the poem when she writes, "I love the underground system; / it is a great and beautiful thing."
This idea of finding beauty in the darkness is a powerful one, and it is one that is echoed throughout literature and art. It is the idea that even in the darkest of places, there is still something to be admired and appreciated. Millay captures this idea perfectly in "Underground System," showing us that even in the depths of the underground, there is still beauty to be found.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Underground System" is a poem that explores the concept of the underground, both literally and metaphorically. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful symbolism, Millay takes us on a journey deep into the darkness of the underground, showing us both its beauty and its darkness. It is a poem that speaks to the hidden parts of ourselves, the things that we keep buried deep inside. But it is also a poem that shows us that even in the darkness, there is still beauty to be found. "Underground System" is a poem that is both profound and beautiful, and it is one that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Underground System: A Poem of Rebellion and Freedom
Edna St. Vincent Millay's "Underground System" is a powerful poem that captures the spirit of rebellion and freedom. Written in 1931, during the Great Depression, the poem speaks to the struggles of the working class and their desire for a better life. Through vivid imagery and powerful language, Millay creates a world of darkness and oppression, where the only hope for escape lies in the underground system.
The poem begins with a description of the underground system, a network of tunnels and trains that runs beneath the city. Millay paints a picture of a world that is dark and dangerous, where the only light comes from the sparks of the trains as they race through the tunnels. The imagery is powerful, evoking a sense of claustrophobia and desperation. The underground system is a metaphor for the working class, trapped in a world of poverty and oppression.
As the poem progresses, Millay introduces the character of the rebel, a man who has had enough of the system and is determined to break free. He is described as a "wild-eyed man" who "leaps the turnstile" and "rides the rails." He is a symbol of hope, a beacon of light in the darkness. His rebellion is a call to action, a challenge to the working class to rise up and fight for their freedom.
The rebel's journey through the underground system is fraught with danger and uncertainty. He must navigate the tunnels and avoid the watchful eyes of the authorities. But he is determined to succeed, to break free from the system and find a better life. His journey is a metaphor for the struggle of the working class, who must fight against the odds to achieve their dreams.
As the rebel emerges from the underground system, he is greeted by a world of light and freedom. The imagery is striking, as Millay describes the "sunlit street" and the "wide, green fields." The rebel has broken free from the darkness and oppression of the underground system, and has found a new world of hope and possibility.
But the poem does not end there. Millay reminds us that the struggle for freedom is ongoing, that there are always new challenges to face. The rebel is "still hunted," still pursued by the authorities who seek to crush his rebellion. But he is undaunted, and continues to fight for his freedom.
In many ways, "Underground System" is a poem of its time. It speaks to the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression, and the desire for a better life. But it is also a timeless poem, one that speaks to the universal human desire for freedom and self-determination. The rebel in the poem is a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way out.
Millay's use of language and imagery is masterful. She creates a world that is both oppressive and beautiful, a world of darkness and light. The underground system is a powerful metaphor for the working class, trapped in a world of poverty and oppression. The rebel is a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way out.
In conclusion, "Underground System" is a powerful poem that captures the spirit of rebellion and freedom. It speaks to the struggles of the working class during the Great Depression, and the universal human desire for freedom and self-determination. Millay's use of language and imagery is masterful, creating a world that is both oppressive and beautiful. The rebel in the poem is a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there is always a way out.
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