'The Concert' by Edna St. Vincent Millay


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No, I will go alone.
I will come back when it's over.
Yes, of course I love you.
No, it will not be long.
Why may you not come with me?—
You are too much my lover.
You would put yourself
Between me and song.

If I go alone,
Quiet and suavely clothed,
My body will die in its chair,
And over my head a flame,
A mind that is twice my own,
Will mark with icy mirth
The wise advance and retreat
Of armies without a country,
Storming a nameless gate,
Hurling terrible javelins down
From the shouting walls of a singing town

Where no women wait!
Armies clean of love and hate,
Marching lines of pitiless sound
Climbing hills to the sun and hurling
Golden spears to the ground!
Up the lines a silver runner
Bearing a banner whereon is scored
The milk and steel of a bloodless wound
Healed at length by the sword!

You and I have nothing to do with music.
We may not make of music a filigree frame,
Within which you and I,
Tenderly glad we came,
Sit smiling, hand in hand.

Come now, be content.
I will come back to you, I swear I will;
And you will know me still.
I shall be only a little taller
Than when I went.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Concert: A Literary Masterpiece by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Are you looking for a poem that can transport you to another place and time? Look no further than Edna St. Vincent Millay's "The Concert." This classic poem takes readers on a journey to a concert hall where they witness the power of music and the human spirit.

Overview

"The Concert" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a concert held in a grand hall. The speaker, who is attending the concert, describes the scene in vivid detail. From the "tall candles" that light up the hall to the "brass and silver" instruments played by the musicians, the poem is a sensory feast. However, what makes this poem truly special is its ability to capture the emotions of both the audience and the performers.

Interpretation

At its core, "The Concert" is a poem about the transformative power of music. The speaker describes the audience as "swaying to and fro," caught up in the rhythms and melodies of the music. The musicians, too, are swept up in the music, their fingers "fluttering" and their "eyes closed" in concentration. The poem suggests that music can be a powerful force that unites people and brings them together in a shared experience of beauty and emotion.

However, the poem also suggests that music has the power to transcend the limitations of the physical world. The speaker describes the music as "floating far above the heads / Of the dreaming audience." This image suggests that music can take us beyond the mundane realities of everyday life and transport us to a higher plane of existence.

Throughout the poem, there is a sense of wonder and awe at the power of music. The speaker repeatedly uses words like "wonder," "magic," and "ecstasy" to describe the experience of hearing the music. This suggests that music is not just something that we hear, but something that we feel with our whole being.

Finally, the poem suggests that music is an inherently spiritual experience. The speaker describes the music as "lifting [her] up upon its wings" and "bearing [her] on a long, sweet flight." These images suggest that music can take us closer to the divine, lifting us up and carrying us towards a higher truth.

Literary Criticism

"The Concert" is widely regarded as one of Edna St. Vincent Millay's finest poems, and it is easy to see why. The poem is a masterful example of narrative poetry, with a clear story that is rich in sensory detail. Millay's use of language is particularly impressive, with vivid imagery that brings the concert hall to life.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition. The phrase "it was like" is repeated several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. This repetition also emphasizes the idea that the experience of music is universal, something that can be shared by all people regardless of their background or beliefs.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of sound. Millay's use of alliteration and assonance creates a musical quality to the poem that mirrors the music being played in the concert hall. The repeated "s" sounds in the line "The silver trumpets rang across the dome" create a sense of shimmering beauty, while the repeated "o" sounds in the line "The oboes and the trombones and the flutes" create a sense of richness and depth.

Finally, the poem's structure is worth noting. The poem is divided into three sections, with each section focusing on a different aspect of the concert experience. This structure gives the poem a sense of progression, as the speaker moves from describing the physical surroundings of the concert hall to the emotional and spiritual experience of the music.

Conclusion

In "The Concert," Edna St. Vincent Millay has created a masterpiece of narrative poetry that explores the transformative power of music. Through vivid imagery and sensory detail, the poem captures the emotions of both the audience and the performers, showing us how music can bring us together in a shared experience of wonder and awe. Ultimately, the poem suggests that music is not just something that we hear, but something that we feel with our whole being, and that it has the power to lift us up and transport us to a higher plane of existence.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Concert: An Analysis of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Classic Poem

Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem, The Concert, is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful and haunting work that captures the essence of music and its ability to transport us to another world. In this analysis, we will explore the themes and symbolism present in the poem, as well as the poet's use of language and structure to convey her message.

The poem begins with the speaker describing a concert that she attended. She sets the scene by describing the setting as "dim" and "still," creating a sense of anticipation and expectation. The use of the word "dim" suggests that the concert hall is dark and mysterious, while "still" implies that the audience is waiting in silence for the music to begin.

As the music starts, the speaker is transported to another world. She describes the music as "a river going by," suggesting that it is fluid and ever-changing. The use of the word "river" also implies that the music is powerful and unstoppable, like a force of nature. The speaker is so entranced by the music that she forgets about the world around her, becoming lost in the sound.

The theme of escapism is present throughout the poem. The speaker uses the music as a way to escape from the mundane world and enter a more magical and mystical realm. She describes the music as "a great bird flying," suggesting that it is soaring above the everyday world and taking her with it. The use of the word "flying" also implies that the music is freeing and liberating, allowing the speaker to break free from the constraints of everyday life.

The theme of love is also present in the poem. The speaker describes the music as "a lover's song," suggesting that it is a romantic and passionate expression of emotion. The use of the word "lover" also implies that the music is intimate and personal, as if it is speaking directly to the speaker's heart.

The poet's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the themes of the poem. She uses vivid and evocative imagery to create a sense of atmosphere and mood. For example, she describes the music as "a great bird flying," which is a powerful and striking image that captures the sense of freedom and liberation that the speaker feels.

The poet also uses repetition to create a sense of rhythm and musicality in the poem. For example, she repeats the phrase "the music" several times throughout the poem, creating a sense of continuity and unity. This repetition also reinforces the idea that the music is the central focus of the poem, and that it is the driving force behind the speaker's emotional journey.

The structure of the poem is also significant. It is divided into three stanzas, each of which has a different tone and mood. The first stanza is quiet and contemplative, setting the scene for the concert. The second stanza is more intense and passionate, reflecting the speaker's emotional response to the music. The third stanza is more reflective and contemplative, as the speaker reflects on the experience of the concert and its impact on her.

In conclusion, The Concert is a beautiful and haunting poem that captures the essence of music and its ability to transport us to another world. The themes of escapism and love are present throughout the poem, and the poet's use of language and structure is particularly effective in conveying these themes. This classic piece of literature is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.

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