Intention to Escape from Him

Name: Intention to Escape from Him
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the speaker's desire to escape from a confining relationship and the constraints of reality. The speaker contemplates learning a beautiful, impractical language and immersing themselves in nature, specifically the study of songbirds. This reflects a yearning for freedom and a connection to the natural world, contrasting with the complexities of human relationships. The speaker expresses a desire to avoid introspection and instead engage with provocative questions, indicating a struggle with the mind's chaotic nature. The imagery of a river symbolizes the speaker's thoughts, which are tumultuous and overflowing, suggesting a need for control and direction. The metaphor of digging to redirect the river signifies the speaker's determination to reshape their mental landscape and escape the emotional turmoil. As the poem progresses, the speaker's resolve to "dig" and "blast" through obstacles highlights a fierce determination to break free from the constraints imposed by their current situation. The use of vivid imagery and metaphors emphasizes the internal conflict between the desire for liberation and the weight of existing ties. The work ultimately encapsulates a profound struggle for autonomy and self-discovery amidst the complexities of love and personal identity.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1921 · Genre: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical · 138 words

First lines

I think I will learn some beautiful language, useless for commercial Purposes, work hard at that.

I think I will learn the Latin name of every songbird, not only in America but wherever they sing.

(Shun meditation, though; invite the controversial: Is the world flat? Do bats eat cats? ) By digging hard I might deflect that river, my mind, that uncontrollable thing, Turgid and yellow, strong to overflow its banks in spring, carrying away bridges;

A bed of pebbles now, through which there trickles one clear narrow stream, following a course henceforth nefast- Dig, dig; and if I come to ledges, blast.

What this Textopian page supports

Intention to Escape from Him is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1921 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1921 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Modernist, Lyrical, Existential, Nature Writing
Length: 138 words
Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices and structure.
Modernist — The themes reflect a break from traditional forms and explore complex ideas and emotions.
Lyrical — The expression of personal feelings and thoughts is central to the work.
Existential — The exploration of individual purpose and the nature of existence is evident in the text.