Symbolism In Edna St. Vincent Millay's Carpe Diem

Edna St. Vincent Millay uses symbolism to convey the theme of Carpe Diem or “seize the day” by living differently to stand out from the crowd or what’s considered normal to make an impact on those around you. For instance, in the poem First Fig, the first stanza “my candle burns at both ends” symbolizes how Edna lived differently in her life. For instance, is her sexuality toward men and women, which was not considered normal in her time, just like how a candle burning at two ends is different from a regular, common candle. Stanza two states that the candle “will not last the night.” This stanza conveys how her unlike nature was criticized or not acceptable to others, indicating how her light won’t last the night. “but ah, my foes, and oh,