'Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry' by Edna St. Vincent Millay


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Oh, oh, you will be sorry for that word!
Give me back my book and take my kiss instead.
Was it my enemy or my friend I heard,
"What a big book for such a little head!"
Come, I will show you now my newest hat,
And you may watch me purse my mouth and prink!
Oh, I shall love you still, and all of that.
I never again shall tell you what I think.
I shall be sweet and crafty, soft and sly;
You will not catch me reading any more:
I shall be called a wife to pattern by;
And some day when you knock and push the door,
Some sane day, not too bright and not too stormy,
I shall be gone, and you may whistle for me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry: A Critical Analysis

Edna St. Vincent Millay is a prolific poet known for her poignant and evocative verses. Her poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a masterpiece that explores the themes of love, loss, and regret. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem and analyze its poetic devices, structure, and language.

Poetic Devices

The poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a sonnet, a traditional form of poetry that consists of 14 lines. It follows the rhyme scheme ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, which is typical of a Shakespearean sonnet. However, Millay deviates from the traditional form by using irregular meter and enjambment, which makes the poem more fluid and organic.

One of the most striking poetic devices that Millay uses in this poem is repetition. The title itself is a repetition of the phrase "Oh, Oh," which suggests a sense of urgency and desperation. Throughout the poem, Millay repeats the phrase "You will be sorry," emphasizing the inevitability of regret and the consequences of one's actions.

She also uses imagery to convey the sorrow and pain of lost love. For example, in line 4, she writes, "And you will miss your singing, / As the sunflower the sun." This simile compares the longing for lost love to the way a sunflower turns towards the sun. The use of vivid imagery evokes a sense of nostalgia and longing.

Themes

The poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" explores the themes of love, loss, and regret. The speaker, who is the poet herself, addresses a former lover and warns them of the pain and regret they will feel after leaving her. The poem is a lament for lost love and a warning against taking love for granted.

The theme of regret is prominent throughout the poem. The repetition of the phrase "You will be sorry" emphasizes the inevitability of regret and the consequences of one's actions. The speaker warns the former lover that they will regret leaving her and missing out on the love and happiness they once shared.

The theme of love is also central to the poem. The speaker expresses her love for the former lover and the pain she feels at their departure. The imagery of the sunflower and the sun represents the way the speaker longs for the former lover and the way their absence leaves her feeling empty and alone.

Interpretation

The poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a deeply emotional and personal work that reflects Millay's own experiences with love and loss. The speaker addresses a former lover and warns them of the pain and regret they will feel after leaving her. The poem is a reflection on the nature of love and the consequences of taking it for granted.

The use of repetition and vivid imagery creates a sense of urgency and longing throughout the poem. The speaker's warning is not just a prediction of the former lover's future regret but also an expression of her own sorrow and pain at their departure.

At its core, "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a poem about the fragility and beauty of love. It is a warning against taking love for granted and a reminder that love is not something that can be easily regained once lost.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a beautiful and powerful work that explores the themes of love, loss, and regret. The use of repetition and imagery creates a sense of urgency and longing, while the warning to the former lover emphasizes the consequences of taking love for granted.

This poem is a testament to Millay's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the emotional complexity of human relationships. It is a work of art that continues to resonate with readers today and reminds us of the importance of cherishing love while we have it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry: An Analysis of Edna St. Vincent Millay's Classic Poetry

Edna St. Vincent Millay is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and her poem "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a classic example of her unique style and voice. This poem is a powerful and emotional exploration of love, loss, and regret, and it has resonated with readers for decades.

In this analysis, we will take a closer look at the themes, structure, and language of "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" to gain a deeper understanding of Millay's work.

Themes

The central theme of "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is the pain of lost love and the regret that comes with it. The speaker of the poem is addressing a former lover, warning them that they will regret leaving her. She describes the pain she feels as a result of their separation, and she predicts that the lover will eventually feel the same pain.

The poem also explores the idea of power dynamics in relationships. The speaker is in a position of vulnerability, having been left by her lover, but she asserts her power by predicting the lover's future regret. This dynamic is further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "Oh, oh" throughout the poem, which serves as a kind of warning or threat.

Structure

The structure of "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is relatively simple, consisting of four stanzas of four lines each. The poem is written in free verse, with no consistent rhyme scheme or meter. This lack of structure reflects the emotional turmoil of the speaker, who is struggling to come to terms with the loss of her lover.

The repetition of the phrase "Oh, oh" throughout the poem serves to create a sense of urgency and intensity. This repetition also emphasizes the power dynamic between the speaker and her lover, as the repeated warning becomes more and more insistent.

Language

The language of "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is simple and direct, but it is also highly emotive. The speaker uses vivid imagery to describe her pain and the lover's future regret. For example, she describes her heart as "a bird that will not sing," and she predicts that the lover will "weep and wring your hands."

The poem also contains several metaphors that add depth and complexity to the speaker's emotions. For example, she compares her pain to a "thorn" that has been "driven deep" into her heart. This metaphor suggests that the pain of lost love is not just emotional, but physical as well.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" is a powerful and emotional poem that explores the pain of lost love and the regret that comes with it. Through its simple structure and emotive language, the poem captures the intensity of the speaker's emotions and the power dynamic between her and her former lover.

Millay's work continues to resonate with readers today, and "Oh, Oh, You Will Be Sorry" remains a classic example of her unique style and voice.

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