Even more than war, these poems are a commentary on the human condition, especially in light of the dark mood of the era. The general tone of “Apostrophe” is negative, focusing on the humanity’s ability to destroy itself, using war as justification for our actions. The author uses personification to show the scope of the war’s impact on the world, perhaps saying that even inanimate objects feel the horror, when she refers to “the bewildered ammonia and the distracted / cellulose” (ll. 4-5). These otherwise innocuous items become the raw material for the weapons against enemies during times of conflict. The emphasis on Nature’s images in “I Forgot for a Moment” expresses the ideal of peace. The quiet descriptions of “scarlet strip and mauve strip bright beneath the brightly clouded sky, / the round clouds and the gentle air” (l. 10) seem to look backward (or perhaps even forward) to a more peaceful time. In this poem, the images of nature depict a sense of tranquility because the “level lowlands” (l. 9) are not man-made or artificial, and they are separate from the “twisted words and crooked deeds” that are specific to man’s behavior.
“Apostrophe to Man” and “I Forgot for a Moment” are structured differently, and each poem’s structure leads to a distinct message. The poetic sense of apostrophe is “the direct address of an absent or imaginary person or of a personified abstraction” (dictionary.com). The poem “Apostrophe” is written in the second person. In this case, Millay seems to be addressing the entire “detestable race” (ll. 1) of human beings. The destructive practices of man are also expressed with the words, “Confer, perfect your formulae, commercialize / Bacteria harmful to human tissue, / Put death on the market” (ll.8-10). This selection suggests that people use war as an excuse to further the economy, which unfortunately does happen.
While “Apostrophe” uses the second-person voice to criticize the violent tendencies of humanity, “I Forgot” is written in first person, with the narrator reminiscing about how pleasant life in Europe was before the onset of war. The author remembers a time when she was “with the things and people that I love, and I was happy there. / I forgot for a moment Holland, I forgot my heavy care” (ll. 3-4). The image of the “broad ships, their hulls by tulip-beds concealed, only the sails showing” (l. 12) conveys the idea of nature overcoming that which is man-made.
“Apostrophe to Man” and “I Forgot for a Moment” differ mainly in their basic messages. “Apostrophe” is a pessimistic portrayal of civilization, while “I Forgot” seems to have at least the suggestion of optimism. But in both poems, the author is expressing her views on the dreadful reality of war. It is interesting to note that although these poems were both written over 60 years ago, they are very relevant in today’s violent world.
Works Cited:
Millay, Edna St. Vincent. “Apostrophe to Man,” “I Forgot for a Moment.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Vol. C. 6th ed. Eds. Nina Baym, et al. New York: Norton, 2002. 1611, 1613.
Dictionary.com. ()
Topic Outline:
- Images of war
- Apostrophe
- Personification
- Images of death
- I Forgot
- References to England, France, Holland
- Tanks, Harsh foreign voices
- Images of humanity
- Apostrophe – negative
B. I Forgot – more positive (images of nature, undertone of hope)
- Compare/Contrast
- Structure
- Theme
