English 102 Spring 2021 Poetry Essay On The Following Pages ✓ Solved

English 102 Spring 2021 Poetry Essay On the following pages

Analyze one of the two provided poems: Edna St. Vincent Millay’s sonnet or Wallace Stevens’s poem written in couplets. Refer to the voice of the poem as “the speaker” and not the poet or the narrator. When quoting, cite the line numbers in-text. Your essay should not exceed 800 words and must include quotes, a conclusion, an introduction, and a thesis. Discuss the speaker’s address and the significance of the subject matter. For Millay’s sonnet, focus on the octave and the sestet, analyzing the diction, punctuation, and tone. For Stevens’s poem, consider the sentences created from the lines and analyze their meaning and structure. Submit your essay as a Word Document.

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In the realm of poetry, Edna St. Vincent Millay and Wallace Stevens stand out as quintessential voices. This essay will delve into Millay’s sonnet, "What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why," analyzing it through the lens of the speaker's voice, diction, and emotional tone. Millay, a prominent figure in American literature, brings a poignant exploration of love and loss, reflecting the complexities of human emotions.

The speaker in Millay’s poem grapples with the haunting shadows of past relationships, setting a tone of nostalgia and regret. At the outset, the speaker confesses, “What lips my lips have kissed, and where, and why, / I have forgotten” (lines 1-2). This admission establishes a sense of longing and uncertainty, as the speaker struggles to recall the memories associated with lost lovers. The phrase "what lips my lips have kissed" evokes intimacy and connection, suggesting that these past encounters were significant yet ephemeral. Millay’s use of the word "forgotten" emphasizes a theme of memory’s impermanence, hinting at the passage of time and the inevitable fading of love.

The octave of Millay's sonnet encapsulates the speaker’s yearning and melancholy. As the poem progresses, the imagery shifts to that of nature: “the rain / Is full of ghosts to-night, that tap and sigh / Upon the glass and listen for reply” (lines 4-6). Here, Millay skillfully intertwines the natural world with the speaker's emotional landscape. The rain, personified as "ghosts," suggests haunting memories of past loves—those who may never return. This powerful imagery evokes feelings of loneliness, as the speaker feels a "quiet pain" (line 7) stirring within, highlighting the deep emotional scars left by these unremembered "lads" (line 8). The juxtaposition of the solitary tree in winter (line 9) portrays an isolation that echoes the speaker's own experiences; just as the tree stands still amidst the loss of birds, so too does the speaker endure the silence of unfulfilled connections.

The sestet expands on this theme, revealing the speaker’s acceptance of the transient nature of love. Millay writes, “I cannot say what loves have come and gone; / I only know that summer sang in me / A little while, that in me sings no more” (lines 13-15). The metaphor of summer symbolizes vitality and happiness, contrasting sharply with the present emptiness. The speaker acknowledges the impermanence of love, reinforcing the notion that experiences, however beautiful, are fleeting. The use of “sings no more” evokes a sense of resignation, as the speaker comes to terms with the idea that such joy may never return.

Millay’s meticulous choice of diction throughout the poem significantly impacts the reader's understanding of the speaker's emotional state. Words such as “forgotten,” “ghosts,” and “quiet pain” evoke a spectral quality, creating an atmosphere heavy with nostalgia. Additionally, her punctuation choices serve to enhance the poem's rhythm and emotional depth, providing pauses that reflect the speaker's introspection. Overall, Millay’s use of vivid imagery and contemplative tone allows the reader to engage deeply with the speaker’s inner turmoil, inviting them to reflect on their own experiences of love and loss.

In contrast, Wallace Stevens's poem "The Poem that Took the Place of a Mountain" presents a different approach to themes of creativity and the quest for identity. Stevens's speaker engages in a reflection on the importance of language and imagination, recognizing that the written word can evoke profound emotional landscapes. The opening line, “There it was, word for word, / The poem that took the place of a mountain,” immediately establishes a connection between poetic creation and the natural world (lines 1-2). The mountain, a symbol of permanence and majesty, is replaced by the speaker’s poem, indicating the transformative power of art.

One key aspect of Stevens’s poem is the speaker’s relationship with the natural world and his own internal journey. The lines, “He breathed its oxygen, / Even when the book lay turned in the dust of his table” (lines 3-4), illustrate the speaker's reliance on literature as a source of sustenance and inspiration. The imagery of dust implies neglect, yet even in this state, the words retain their potency—suggesting a timeless quality to poetic expression that transcends physicality. Stevens encourages readers to see poetry as a vital force, essential for personal and creative rejuvenation.

The poem continues with phrases describing the speaker's efforts to navigate the landscape of his thoughts: “How he had recomposed the pines, / Shifted the rocks and picked his way among clouds” (lines 6-7). Here, Stevens employs a rich tapestry of imagery that evokes the act of creation as an explorative journey. Each action, from “recomposed” to “picked his way,” instills a sense of agency, emphasizing the active role of the poet in transforming their environment through language. The description of “the outlook that would be right” (line 8) speaks to the pursuit of clarity and understanding, as the poet seeks a vantage point from which he can assert his voice and identity.

Ultimately, Stevens’s exploration of self-discovery culminates in the recognition of one’s unique place in the world: “recognize his unique and solitary home” (line 11). This line highlights the universality of the poetic experience, asserting that while the act of creation may be solitary, it is also deeply interconnected with the human struggle for meaning and belonging.

In conclusion, both Edna St. Vincent Millay and Wallace Stevens offer profound insights into the human experience through their respective works. Millay’s sonnet poignantly captures the transient nature of love and memory, while Stevens emphasizes the transformative power of poetry and self-discovery. Through careful analysis of diction, imagery, and tone, readers are invited to engage with the complexities of emotion and the creative process, offering timeless reflections on the nature of existence.

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