The Shroud

Name: The Shroud
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores themes of love, death, and the intersection of life and mortality. The speaker addresses death as a maternal figure, expressing a deep emotional connection and resignation to fate. The imagery of a red gown symbolizes both passion and the inevitability of death, suggesting that the vibrancy of life is intertwined with its end. The speaker reflects on their own desires and the societal expectations surrounding marriage and death. The red gown, typically associated with celebration and love, is repurposed as a shroud, indicating a transformation of joy into sorrow. The speaker's longing for a bridal gown contrasts with the acceptance of a shroud, highlighting the tension between hope and despair. As the poem progresses, the speaker grapples with the notion of waiting—waiting for love, waiting for death. The urgency in their voice reveals a struggle against the constraints of time and the inevitability of loss. The repetition of phrases emphasizes the emotional weight of the speaker's experience, creating a poignant reflection on the fleeting nature of life and the permanence of death. Ultimately, the work encapsulates the duality of existence, where love and loss coexist. The speaker's acceptance of death as a part of life underscores a profound understanding of mortality, suggesting that even in the face of despair, there is a recognition of beauty and passion that persists. The poem serves as a meditation on the complexities of human emotion, the inevitability of death, and the enduring power of love.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1936 · Genre: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism · 174 words

First lines

Death, I say, my heart is bowed Unto thine,- O mother!

This red gown will make a shroud Good as any other!

(I, that would not wait to wear My own bridal things,

In a dress dark as my hair Made my answerings.

What this Textopian page supports

The Shroud is listed on Textopian as a poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1936 CE.

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Work type: Poem
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1936 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Lyrical, Romanticism, Symbolism, Modernism
Length: 174 words
Structure: 1 section, 8 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is a poem that explores themes of death and mourning through lyrical expression.
Lyrical — The poem employs a musical quality and emotional depth characteristic of lyrical poetry.
Romanticism — The themes of love, loss, and the personal connection to death reflect Romantic ideals.
Symbolism — The use of the red gown as a symbol for both life and death illustrates symbolic elements.