I, being Born a Woman

Name: I, being Born a Woman
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the complex interplay between desire, gender, and societal expectations. The speaker, a woman, expresses her internal conflict regarding her attraction to a man, acknowledging the biological and emotional impulses that drive her. She feels a strong physical urge to connect with him, which she describes as a "certain zest" to embrace his presence. However, this desire is juxtaposed with a sense of distress and awareness of the societal pressures placed upon women. The speaker grapples with the notion that her feelings may undermine her intellect and autonomy, suggesting a tension between her physical instincts and her rational mind. She recognizes the "poor treason" of her body against her intellect, indicating a struggle between her desires and her self-perception. Despite this turmoil, she asserts that her feelings do not warrant a deeper emotional connection or conversation, indicating a desire to maintain control over her emotions and interactions. Ultimately, the poem reflects on the complexities of female identity, the nature of desire, and the societal constructs that shape personal relationships. The speaker's resolution to remember the man with love or scorn suggests a nuanced understanding of her feelings, emphasizing the conflict between passion and reason. The work encapsulates the struggle for agency within the confines of societal expectations, highlighting the duality of desire and intellect in the female experience.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1923 · Genre: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Romanticism · 135 words

First lines

I, being born a woman and distressed

By all the needs and notions of my kind, Am urged by your propinquity to find

Your person fair, and feel a certain zest

To bear your body's weight upon my breast:

What this Textopian page supports

I, being Born a Woman is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1923 CE.

This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.

Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1923 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Feminist Literature, Romanticism, Modernism, Lyric Poetry
Length: 135 words
Structure: 1 section, 10 paragraphs
Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a sonnet, showcasing Millay's mastery of poetic form and language.
Feminist Literature — The poem explores themes of womanhood, desire, and societal expectations, reflecting feminist concerns.
Romanticism — The poem expresses deep emotional experiences and the complexities of love and desire.
Modernism — The poem's introspective nature and exploration of personal identity align with modernist themes.