'Inland' by Edna St. Vincent Millay
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People that build their houses inland,
People that buy a plot of ground
Shaped like a house, and build a house there,
Far from the sea-board, far from the soundOf water sucking the hollow ledges,
Tons of water striking the shore,-
What do they long for, as I long for
One salt smell of the sea once more?People the waves have not awakened,
Spanking the boats at the harbour's head,
What do they long for, as I long for,-
Starting up in my inland bed,Beating the narrow walls, and finding
Neither a window nor a door,
Screaming to God for death by drowning,-
One salt taste of the sea once more?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Inland by Edna St. Vincent Millay: An Exploration of the Human Psyche and Nature
When it comes to poetry, Edna St. Vincent Millay is a name that instantly pops up in one's mind. Her works are often considered as a reflection of her individualistic and feminist beliefs. However, there is much more to her poetry than just that. One such example is her poem "Inland," which is a complex piece of literature that delves into the human psyche and our relationship with nature. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Millay in "Inland."
Background Information
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a brief look at the author's background. Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet and playwright who was born in 1892. She is considered one of the most important poets of the early 20th century and was the first woman to win the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923. Millay was known for her feminist and individualistic beliefs, which are reflected in her works.
Summary
"Inland" is a poem that is divided into two stanzas, each consisting of six lines. The poem is written in free verse, meaning there is no strict rhyme or meter. The speaker of the poem is not identified, but it is safe to assume that it is Millay herself.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a landscape that is "sick with heat." The use of personification here is noteworthy as it portrays the environment as a living entity that is suffering. The next two lines describe the behavior of the creatures living in this environment. The line "The very insects are mute" is interesting as it portrays the insects, which are usually known for their noise, as being silent. This could be an indication of how the environment is so harsh that even the insects are affected by it.
The second stanza begins with the line "The woods are ashen and still." The use of the word "ashen" here is interesting as it portrays the woods as being lifeless and devoid of color. The next line is perhaps the most powerful line of the poem, where the speaker says, "Lonely, too still, too distant, and too vast." Here, the speaker is not only describing the physical characteristics of the woods, but also the emotional impact it has on her. The final two lines of the poem describe the speaker's desire to escape from this environment.
Literary Devices
Now that we have a brief summary of the poem, let's dive into the various literary devices used by Millay in "Inland."
Personification
As mentioned earlier, one of the most prominent literary devices used in the poem is personification. The environment is portrayed as a living entity that is sick and suffering. This is evident in the first line of the poem where the speaker describes the landscape as being "sick with heat." This personification is used throughout the poem to give life to the environment and to portray it as being affected by the heat.
Imagery
Another important literary device used in the poem is imagery. Millay uses vivid descriptions to create a powerful image of the environment. For example, the line "The woods are ashen and still" creates a vivid image of a lifeless environment. Similarly, the line "The very insects are mute" creates an image of a silent environment, which is usually not associated with insects.
Metaphor
The final literary device used in the poem is metaphor. The line "Lonely, too still, too distant, and too vast" is a metaphor for the emotional impact the environment has on the speaker. The woods are not just physically distant and vast, but also emotionally distant and vast.
Themes
Now that we have explored the literary devices used in the poem, let's dive into the various themes present in "Inland."
Human Psyche
One of the most prominent themes of the poem is the exploration of the human psyche. The speaker is not only describing the environment but also how it affects her emotionally. The line "Lonely, too still, too distant, and too vast" is a powerful metaphor for the emotional impact the environment has on the speaker. The poem is a reflection of how our environment can affect our emotions and how we perceive the world around us.
Nature
Another important theme of the poem is our relationship with nature. The poem portrays nature as being harsh and unforgiving. The environment is sick and suffering, and the creatures living in it are affected by it. The poem is a reflection of how we as humans are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it. Our actions have an impact on the environment, and we must be mindful of how we treat it.
Isolation
The final theme of the poem is isolation. The speaker desires to escape from the environment, which portrays a sense of isolation. The line "Lonely, too still, too distant, and too vast" is a metaphor for the speaker's sense of isolation. The poem is a reflection of how we as humans can feel isolated from our environment and how our actions can contribute to this sense of isolation.
Conclusion
"Inland" is a complex piece of literature that explores various themes and literary devices. The poem is a reflection of our relationship with nature and how our environment can affect our emotions. The use of personification, imagery, and metaphor creates a powerful image of the environment and the emotional impact it has on the speaker. The poem is a reminder that we as humans are not separate from nature, but rather a part of it. We must be mindful of our actions and the impact they have on the environment to ensure a sustainable future.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Inland: An Ode to the Beauty of Nature
Edna St. Vincent Millay's Poetry Inland is a beautiful ode to the beauty of nature. The poem is a celebration of the natural world and the power it holds over our emotions and senses. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Millay captures the essence of the natural world and its ability to inspire and uplift us.
The poem begins with a description of the landscape, as the speaker describes the "hills and valleys" that stretch out before her. The language is rich and evocative, with phrases like "the purple of the hills" and "the green of the valleys" painting a vivid picture of the scene. The speaker is clearly in awe of the beauty around her, and she revels in the sensory experience of being in such a stunning natural setting.
As the poem progresses, the speaker's focus shifts to the sounds of the natural world. She describes the "whispering of the leaves" and the "murmur of the brook," and she marvels at the way these sounds blend together to create a symphony of nature. The language here is musical and rhythmic, with phrases like "the rustling of the leaves" and "the babbling of the brook" mimicking the sounds they describe.
The speaker's attention then turns to the animals that inhabit this natural world. She describes the "flicker of a bird's wing" and the "darting of a squirrel," and she marvels at the way these creatures move with such grace and agility. The language here is playful and whimsical, with phrases like "the darting squirrel" and "the flicker of a bird's wing" capturing the playful energy of these creatures.
As the poem draws to a close, the speaker reflects on the power of nature to inspire and uplift us. She describes the way the natural world can "lift us up" and "carry us away," and she suggests that it is through our connection to nature that we can find true happiness and fulfillment. The language here is hopeful and optimistic, with phrases like "the joy of the hills" and "the peace of the valleys" suggesting that nature has the power to heal and restore us.
Overall, Poetry Inland is a beautiful tribute to the beauty of nature. Through vivid imagery and lyrical language, Edna St. Vincent Millay captures the essence of the natural world and its ability to inspire and uplift us. The poem is a celebration of the power of nature to heal and restore us, and it reminds us of the importance of connecting with the natural world in order to find true happiness and fulfillment.
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