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Comment 16 of 16, added on January 17th, 2013 at 8:31 AM.
First Fig
I always advise my students to differentiate between the personal life of
the poets/authors and their fictitious personae. In Millay’s text, there is
no linguistic evidence as to the the gender identity of the speaker: this
is to say the speaker can be male or female. Also there is no evidence
that the poet is talking about herself.
In the absence of gender indicators, the text could point to either a male
speaker boasting of the joys of indulgence in penile and anal sexual
activities “both ends”, or a female speaker receiving the light through
two out of three corporeal apertures “both ends” : oral, vaginal or
anal.
Prof. Dr. Visam Mansur from Turkey
Comment 15 of 16, added on March 28th, 2012 at 11:53 AM.
Poem
I never saw the bi reference....
Yuri from Russia
Comment 14 of 16, added on December 24th, 2011 at 9:57 AM.
handbags
purchase to get new coupon for more detail
usabyalejandra from United States
Comment 13 of 16, added on September 4th, 2010 at 1:56 AM.
the first fig
coments her bi-sexuality but it cannot last forever as nothing can but
while it is alive and she is alive and we are alive we can let our spirits
or our being shine befoe all mankind
jack from United States
Comment 12 of 16, added on March 10th, 2008 at 9:22 PM.
The poem refers to Millay being bisexual, and her unusual lifestyle. She
is saying she will do as she pleases, for life is to short to not to enjoy
it the its fullest.
Tina from United States
Comment 11 of 16, added on February 1st, 2008 at 8:26 AM.
From poem of the week blogspot:
Edna St. Vincent Millay was born in Rockland, ME in 1892. Her fourth book
of poetry, The Harp Weaver, earned her the Pulitzer Prize. She was openly
bi, which sheds some light on the otherwise mysterious title here.
Benjamin from South Africa
Comment 10 of 16, added on April 17th, 2007 at 7:22 PM.
this poem is not about figs!
joe huyt from United States
Comment 9 of 16, added on March 3rd, 2007 at 6:57 AM.
The title "First Fig" has stong biblical symbolism. The tree of knowledge
in the Garden of Eden was really the fig tree and its friut was forbidden.
Before Adam and Eve tasted of the "fruit of knowldege" they were to live
forever in the Gardem. As a punishment for disobeying God and eating of the
fig they were banished from the Garden and were to suffer in life and
forfit their immortality. There is also a reference to carnal knowledge.
With the eating of
Milan from United States
Comment 8 of 16, added on February 2nd, 2007 at 1:54 AM.
Sherri or anyone,
Maybe you can tell me why it is called "First Fig?"
Thanks
Kimberly from United States
Comment 7 of 16, added on January 4th, 2006 at 9:31 PM.
I agree with Sherri Araujo. Her interpretation of the poem is what I
believe the poem's message is. I've never read First Fig, but this is the
saying Roald Dahl lived by and I found it on the inside back-cover of one
of his books.
Ronnok from United States
This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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I always advise my students to differentiate between the personal life of
the poets/authors and their fictitious personae. In Millay’s text, there is
no linguistic evidence as to the the gender identity of the speaker: this
is to say the speaker can be male or female. Also there is no evidence
that the poet is talking about herself.
In the absence of gender indicators, the text could point to either a male
speaker boasting of the joys of indulgence in penile and anal sexual
activities “both ends”, or a female speaker receiving the light through
two out of three corporeal apertures “both ends” : oral, vaginal or
anal.
Prof. Dr. Visam Mansur from Turkey