Grade 10 2020
LOVE IS NOT ALL
By Edna St Vincent Millay
Poetry Anthology page 166-168
READ THE POEM
TO REFRESH
THEN GO TO
THE NEXT SLIDE
Using the notes you made
on the poem yesterday,
look at the following
analyses and add to your
notes.
Write down any questions
you might have about the
poem as you go along.
The colon (:) indicates the introduction to the speaker’s argument.
For the speaker, Love is not something
that can be consumed for nourishment
or survival like food or water.
Love (with a capital letter) is the
abstract noun. The poem is referring
to the emotion of love.
Love is not all: it is not meat nor drink
The speaker says Love is not like a deep
and peaceful sleep.
Love is not like a floating piece of wood
needed when one is sinking.
A lung that is “thick” implies that
breathing is difficult. This is a reference
to illness or disease. Love cannot give
one air when one is unable to breathe
or suffering from illness.
“Yet” is a coordinating conjunction that
usually indicates a contradiction/
counter-point to what was said
previously. It’s like saying “But…”
It can also indicate things like an
afterthought or a change in
thinking.
This line (line 7) is the ‘volta’ (change)
in the poem.
Nor slumber nor a roof against the rain;
Nor yet a floating spar to men that sink
And rise and sink and rise and sink again;
Love is not like shelter from a storm,
or a place to keep oneself safe.
This is an image of men in the ocean.
Their ship was likely a big ship and it
has sunk. The men are drowning/
sinking and latch onto floating wood.
They tread water to stay afloat.
Love cannot fill the thickened lung with breath,
Nor clean the blood, nor set the fractured bone;
Yet many a man is making friends with death
Even as I speak, for lack of love alone.
Love cannot perform actions
like this; it cannot treat
ailments or mend wounds.
This is a euphemism for men
dying. The men become ‘friendly’
with Death when they pass
away.
The speaker states that their death is due to a lack of love.
The speaker reiterates that if Love is not necessary for
survival, why then is it the case that these men pass away.
They had nothing else wrong with them, except that they
did not have Love. So, Love is ESSENTIAL!
Notice the change in the speaker’s
tone in line 9.
Previously the tone was matter-offact/wry whereas now it have
become more conversational and
ambivalent (uncertain).
The diction used, like “well may be”,
sounds more conversational and
indicates a change in thought by the
speaker. The speaker is clearly
expressing a different viewpoint, like
saying “But on the other hand…”
Implies the hypothetical scenario is
difficult or challenging.
Possibility, but not certain.
Repetition from line 9: “It well may
be” à these words imply uncertainty.
The speaker is identifying for readers
the possibilities of Love and how
people might take it for granted or
trade it for something else more
essential or helpful in their individual
situations.
The speaker is now reflecting on what was said in the first 6 lines of the
poem.
Difficult situation or challenging
time (for the speaker).
The speaker gives a hypothetically
scenario.
It well may be that in a difficult hour,
Pinned down by pain and moaning for release,
Or nagged by want past resolution's power,
I might be driven to sell your love for peace,
Or trade the memory of this night for food.
It well may be. I do not think I would.
But for the speaker: Love has significance in
human existence beyond just the physical.
Diction used has connotations with
being trapped or having no solution.
There is also an element of
desperation and suffering.
Relief/a solution/ or escape
from the situation.
The speaker admits that if the
situation were so dire that he/she
MIGHT knowingly give up the love
one might have for them in order to
gain peace or food if they were
hungry.
THE CONLUSION OF THE SPEAKER’S ARGUMENT:
Despite spending the majority of the poem expressing Love
as non-essential in various situations, the speaker concludes
by stating that he/she would likely not trade Love for
anything. Love is more meaningful to the speaker than any
essential item life requires. He/She believes it is something to
value and cherish.
Forward me any questions
you might have and I will
assist you.
Once you have grasped the
analysis; answer the
following short questions
on the poem.
Analysis questions:
On the next slide I have helped you to understand
what the question is asking of you. J
1. Refer to lines 1-6.
1.1. How do the repeated negatives (nor/not) support the opening statement: “Love is not all”?
(2)
1.2. Identify and account for the tone of the phrase “Love is not all:…”
(2)
2. Refer to line 3-4.
2.1. How does the diction and rhythm in these lines create the picture of what is happening in these
lines.
(3)
3. Referring to the last line of the poem.
3.1. Discuss what the speaker takes into account before she comes to her conclusion: “I do not think I
would.”
(3)
[10 marks]
Analysis questions:
How do these words reinforce the opening statement for the reader? Explain.
1. Refer to lines 1-6.
1.1. How do the repeated negatives (nor/not) support the opening statement: “Love is not all”? (2)
1.2. Identify and account for the tone of the phrase “Love is not all:…”
(2)
Identify the tone and then give reasons why you say so.
2. Refer to line 3-4.
2.1. How do the diction and rhythm in these lines create the picture of what is happening in these
lines.
(3)
word choice
beat
3. Referring to the last line of the poem.
3.1. Discuss what the speaker takes into account before she comes to her conclusion: “I do not think I
would.”
(3)
What does the speaker take into consideration before he/she reaches his/her conclusion?
[10 marks]
A memorandum will be
provided for you later
in the week.
Please answer the
questions before
looking at the answers.