1. Edna St. Vincent Millay (1892 – 1950) The Life of a Poet, Playwright, and Feminist of the Early 20 th Century

2. Growing up Named after the hospital St. Vincent's where her uncle’s life was saved. Called herself “Vincent.” Named after the hospital St. Vincent's where her uncle’s life was saved. Called herself “Vincent.” Persons of authority did not appreciate her “frank” attitude. Persons of authority did not appreciate her “frank” attitude. She won awards for her writing as early as fourteen years old. She won awards for her writing as early as fourteen years old.

3. Adult Life Lived in Greenwich Village in New York City Lived in Greenwich Village in New York City 1920 – controversy surrounding her poetry for its content exploring female sexuality and feminism 1920 – controversy surrounding her poetry for its content exploring female sexuality and feminism 1923 – married for twenty-six years to Eugen Jan Boissevain. 1923 – married for twenty-six years to Eugen Jan Boissevain. Died in 1950 after having a heart attack and falling down a flight of stairs. She was fifty eight years old. Died in 1950 after having a heart attack and falling down a flight of stairs. She was fifty eight years old.

4. Awards 1923 – won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry – the third woman to accomplish this feat. 1923 – won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry – the third woman to accomplish this feat. 1943 – Frost Medal for her lifetime contributions to American Poetry – the second woman to win this medal. 1943 – Frost Medal for her lifetime contributions to American Poetry – the second woman to win this medal.

5. First Fig My candle burns at both ends; It will not last the night; But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends— It gives a lovely light!

6. Dissection Rhyme scheme – A, B, A, B Rhyme scheme – A, B, A, B Exact Rhyme – ends, friends; night, light Exact Rhyme – ends, friends; night, light One stanza, four lines = Quatrain One stanza, four lines = Quatrain Metaphor – candle = life and choices Metaphor – candle = life and choices Alliteration – lovely light Alliteration – lovely light

7. Analysis Title – possible biblical reference to first and forbidden fruit Title – possible biblical reference to first and forbidden fruit Schedule / Busy – Exhaustion (“My candle burns at both ends”) Schedule / Busy – Exhaustion (“My candle burns at both ends”) Feminism – all should be able to live how they wish whilst alive because life is short (“It will not last the night”) Feminism – all should be able to live how they wish whilst alive because life is short (“It will not last the night”) Controversy – recognizes not all agree with her choices (foes…friends) Controversy – recognizes not all agree with her choices (foes…friends) Strength in choices – lived “frankly” – to live a beautiful life, live true to oneself (“It gives a lovely light”) Strength in choices – lived “frankly” – to live a beautiful life, live true to oneself (“It gives a lovely light”)

8. Works Cited Brynner, Witter, and The Works of Witter Bynner: Selected Letters. "Edna St. Vincent Millay : The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.." The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.. Brynner, Witter, and The Works of Witter Bynner: Selected Letters. "Edna St. Vincent Millay : The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.." The Poetry Foundation : Find Poems and Poets. Discover Poetry.. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.. " Edna St. Vincent Millay- Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.. " Edna St. Vincent Millay- Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More." Poets.org - Poetry, Poems, Bios & More. N.p., n.d. Web. 2 Feb. 2011.. "Edna St. Vincent Millay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2011.. "Edna St. Vincent Millay - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Jan. 2011..