Welcome, literary explorers, to a journey into the heart of a powerful and enduring poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay. Today, we delve into “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed,” a work that continues to captivate readers with its frank exploration of desire, intellect, and female autonomy. Prepare to uncover the layers of meaning, the masterful use of language, and the timeless message embedded within this remarkable sonnet.
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:
So subtly is the fume of life designed,
To clarify the pulse and cloud the mind,
And leave me once again undone, possessed.
Think not for this, however, the poor treason
Of my stout blood against my staggering brain,
I shall remember you with love, or season
My scorn with pity, let me make it plain:
I find this frenzy insufficient reason
For conversation when we meet again.
Unveiling “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed”
A Concise Overview of the Poem
“I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” is a profound lyric poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, first published in her 1923 collection, The Harp Weaver and Other Poems. This fourteen-line Petrarchan sonnet immediately plunges the reader into the speaker’s complex internal world. The poem’s opening lines reveal a woman acknowledging a powerful, almost involuntary, physical attraction to another person. This attraction is presented not merely as personal desire, but as a fundamental aspect of her being, tied to the “needs and notions of my kind.”
However, the poem swiftly pivots, moving beyond mere physical inclination. The speaker asserts a fierce intellectual independence, refusing to allow this “frenzy” of passion to dictate her emotional or social interactions. The central idea of “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” lies in the tension between the body’s powerful impulses and the mind’s capacity for reason and self-control. It is a declaration of autonomy, where the speaker, despite feeling “undone, possessed” by desire, ultimately chooses to prioritize her intellect and self-possession over fleeting passion.
Central Themes and Enduring Relevance
The poem explores several powerful themes that resonate deeply with readers. Foremost among these is the theme of **female agency and autonomy**. The speaker, despite being “distressed” by the inherent desires of her gender and the societal expectations that often accompany them, ultimately reclaims control over her emotional landscape. She acknowledges the physical pull but refuses to be defined or controlled by it, making a clear statement about her right to self-determination.
Another significant theme is the **conflict between mind and body**. The poem vividly portrays the internal struggle between raw, instinctual passion and the rational, discerning intellect. The speaker’s “stout blood” is at odds with her “staggering brain,” illustrating the universal human experience of grappling with powerful emotions while striving for intellectual clarity. This internal battle is presented as a fundamental aspect of the human condition, particularly as experienced by women navigating societal pressures around desire and relationships.
The poem also subtly touches upon **societal expectations of women**. The phrase “needs and notions of my kind” suggests a broader context of how female desire is perceived and perhaps even constrained or misunderstood. By asserting her independence, the speaker challenges the idea that a woman’s worth or future is solely determined by her romantic or physical attachments. This makes “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” a timeless exploration of identity, desire, and the assertion of self in the face of both internal and external pressures.
In-Depth Analysis of “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed”
The Petrarchan Sonnet Form and Structure
Edna St. Vincent Millay masterfully crafts “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” as a **Petrarchan sonnet**, also known as an Italian sonnet. This traditional poetic form consists of fourteen lines, typically written in iambic pentameter, and is divided into two main parts:
- The Octave: The first eight lines (lines 1-8) present a problem, question, or observation. In this poem, the octave details the speaker’s involuntary physical attraction and the overwhelming nature of desire. The rhyme scheme for the octave is typically ABBAABBA, which Millay adheres to:
I, being born a woman and distressed (A)
By all the needs and notions of my kind, (B)
Am urged by your propinquity to find (B)
Your person fair, and feel a certain zest (A)
To bear your body’s weight upon my breast: (A)
So subtly is the fume of life designed, (B)
To clarify the pulse and cloud the mind, (B)
And leave me once again undone, possessed. (A) - The Sestet: The final six lines (lines 9-14) offer a resolution, answer, or commentary on the problem introduced in the octave. Here, the sestet delivers the speaker’s decisive rejection of the desire’s implications. The rhyme scheme for the sestet can vary, often CDECDE or CDCDCD. Millay employs CDECDE:
Think not for this, however, the poor treason (C)
Of my stout blood against my staggering brain, (D)
I shall remember you with love, or season (E)
My scorn with pity, let me make it plain: (C)
I find this frenzy insufficient reason (D)
For conversation when we meet again. (E)
A crucial element of the Petrarchan sonnet is the **volta**, or “turn,” which occurs between the octave and the sestet, typically at line 9. This is where the poem shifts its argument or perspective. In “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed,” the volta is marked by the phrase “Think not for this, however,” signaling a decisive change from acknowledging desire to asserting control over it. This structural shift perfectly mirrors the speaker’s internal journey from being “undone, possessed” to making a clear, rational declaration of independence.
Exploring Literary Devices in “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed”
Edna St. Vincent Millay employs a rich tapestry of literary devices to enhance the poem’s emotional depth and intellectual complexity, making “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” a compelling study in poetic craft.
- Alliteration: The repetition of initial consonant sounds creates a musical quality and emphasizes certain phrases. Consider the opening line: “being born a woman and distressed.” This repetition draws attention to the speaker’s fundamental state. Later, the phrase “stout scorn” in line 12, though not directly in the poem, is an example of how alliteration can be used. A more accurate example from the poem is “stout blood against my staggering brain” (line 10), where the repeated ‘s’ and ‘b’ sounds highlight the internal conflict.
- Assonance: The repetition of vowel sounds within words adds to the poem’s lyrical flow and creates a sense of interconnectedness. Notice the long ‘e’ sound in “I, being born a woman and distressed” (line 1) and “feel a certain zest” (line 4). This recurring sound contributes to the poem’s smooth, reflective tone.
- Consonance: The repetition of consonant sounds within or at the end of words, often in close proximity, adds texture and reinforces ideas. The phrase “needs and notions of my kind” (line 2) uses the repeated ‘n’ sound to emphasize the pervasive and perhaps inescapable nature of these influences.
- Enjambment: The continuation of a sentence or phrase from one line to the next without a pause or punctuation creates a sense of momentum and reflects the speaker’s ongoing internal struggle. Observe lines 9-10:
Think not for this, however, the poor treason
Of my stout blood against my staggering brain,The thought flows uninterrupted across the line break, mirroring the speaker’s complex and continuous thought process as she grapples with her feelings.
- Imagery: Millay uses vivid sensory details to evoke strong mental pictures and emotional states. The line “To bear your body’s weight upon my breast” (line 5) is a powerfully sensual image that conveys both the physical intimacy of desire and a sense of vulnerability or burden. “The fume of life” (line 6) suggests an intoxicating, almost dizzying sensation, painting a picture of overwhelming passion.
- Metaphor: A central metaphor in the poem is “the fume of life” (line 6). This is not a literal smoke, but rather a figurative representation of the intoxicating, overwhelming, and potentially clouding power of physical desire and passion. It suggests something ephemeral yet potent, capable of both “clarify[ing] the pulse and cloud[ing] the mind.”
- Personification: Millay gives human qualities to abstract concepts or inanimate objects, particularly in the sestet. “The poor treason / Of my stout blood against my staggering brain” (lines 9-10) personifies “treason” as an act committed by the speaker’s own “blood” and “brain.” This emphasizes the internal conflict as a battle between distinct, almost willful, forces within herself.
- Symbolism: The “breast” (line 5) serves as a powerful symbol of both femininity and physical intimacy. The “weight” of the body upon it symbolizes not only physical presence but also the emotional burden or impact of desire. The “blood” (line 10) can symbolize raw passion and instinct, while the “brain” (line 10) represents intellect and reason, further highlighting the central mind-body conflict.
Poetic Craft and Diction in “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed”
Beyond specific literary devices, Millay’s careful choices in language and overall poetic approach contribute significantly to the poem’s impact.
- Diction: The poem’s language is notably formal and precise, employing words like “propinquity,” “distressed,” “fume,” and “frenzy.” This elevated diction creates a sense of intellectual distance and seriousness, reflecting the speaker’s analytical and introspective nature. The formality also lends a timeless quality to her declaration, elevating it beyond a casual dismissal of affection to a profound statement of self-possession. For instance, “propinquity” (line 3) is a more formal and less common word for closeness, suggesting a considered observation rather than a simple feeling.
- Tone: The poem’s tone is complex and undergoes a significant shift, mirroring the volta in its structure. It begins with a tone of weary resignation or almost clinical observation in the octave, as the speaker acknowledges the involuntary nature of her attraction: “I, being born a woman and distressed / By all the needs and notions of my kind.” This shifts to a more sensual and almost overwhelmed tone with phrases like “feel a certain zest / To bear your body’s weight upon my breast.” However, in the sestet, the tone becomes decisive, firm, and assertive, culminating in the unequivocal declaration: “let me make it plain: / I find this frenzy insufficient reason / For conversation when we meet again.” This progression of tone underscores the speaker’s journey from passive observation to active assertion of will.
Key Lines and Their Significance
The concluding lines of “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” are arguably the most impactful and encapsulate the poem’s central message of female autonomy and intellectual supremacy over fleeting passion. These lines are particularly useful when discussing themes of restraint, self-possession, and the rejection of societal expectations in love and relationships.
Think not for this, however, the poor treason
Of my stout blood against my staggering brain,
I shall remember you with love, or season
My scorn with pity, let me make it plain:
I find this frenzy insufficient reason
For conversation when we meet again.
These powerful lines represent the speaker’s ultimate assertion of independence. She acknowledges the “treason” of her physical desire, a betrayal of her rational self, but firmly declares that this intense physical “frenzy” will not translate into emotional attachment or even the expectation of future interaction. The phrase “insufficient reason / For conversation” is a stark and unyielding dismissal, highlighting her refusal to allow passion to dictate her choices or define her identity. These lines underscore the poem’s central message: a woman’s value and her decisions are not solely defined by her desires, and she possesses the right to prioritize her own intellect and self-respect above all else.
Edna St. Vincent Millay’s “I Being Born A Woman And Distressed” remains a vital and compelling poem, offering a timeless exploration of the intricate dance between desire and intellect. Through its masterful use of the Petrarchan sonnet form, vivid imagery, and precise diction, the poem articulates a powerful statement on female agency and the enduring human struggle for self-possession. It invites readers to reflect on their own experiences of passion, reason, and the courage it takes to define one’s own path, making it a truly unforgettable piece of literature.