The Strawberry Shrub

Name: The Strawberry Shrub
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay

The poem explores the theme of nostalgia and the contrast between the simplicity of nature and the complexities of modern life. It reflects on a specific flower, the strawberry shrub, symbolizing a connection to the past and a more innocent time. The speaker describes the flower's muted colors and unassuming beauty, emphasizing its subtlety in a world dominated by vibrant, artificial stimuli. The imagery evokes a sense of longing for the past, as the speaker encourages a child, Dorcas, to take the flower to school, suggesting a desire to share this piece of nature with others. The flower's characteristics are detailed with a focus on its earthy tones and the need to engage with it physically to appreciate its fragrance, highlighting the idea that true beauty often requires effort to uncover. The poem contrasts the flower's humble nature with the loudness of contemporary life, suggesting that the deeper, more meaningful experiences are often overlooked. The speaker's insistence on taking the flower to school serves as a metaphor for the importance of cherishing and sharing the simple joys of life, even in a world that may not value them. Overall, the work encapsulates a yearning for authenticity and a reminder to appreciate the understated beauty found in nature, urging a return to simpler pleasures amidst the chaos of modern existence.

By Edna St. Vincent Millay · First published 1928 · Genre: Poetry, Nature Writing, Lyric · 262 words

First lines

Strawberry Shrub, old-fashioned, quaint as quinces, Hard to find in a world where neon and noise

Have flattened the ends of the three more subtle senses;

And blare and magenta are all that a child enjoys.

More brown than red the bloom-it is a dense colour;

What this Textopian page supports

The Strawberry Shrub is listed on Textopian as a short story by Edna St. Vincent Millay, dated 1928 CE.

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Work type: Short story
Author: Edna St. Vincent Millay
Date: 1928 CE
Language: English
Genres: Poetry, Nature Writing, Lyric, Modernist, Symbolism
Length: 262 words
Structure: 1 section, 17 paragraphs
Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)

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Similar titles

Genres

Poetry — The work is written in verse, employing poetic devices such as imagery and metaphor.
Nature Writing — The poem focuses on the description of a plant, exploring its characteristics and sensory qualities.
Lyric — The poem expresses personal feelings and observations, characteristic of lyric poetry.
Modernist — The poem reflects modernist themes through its exploration of perception and the contrast between nature and modernity.