An Ancient Gesture

“First Fig” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1920)

“First Fig” is one of Millay’s most famous poems. Unlike “An Ancient Gesture,” the form is organized. The lines are even, and there’s a predictable rhyme scheme. Although “First Fig” and “An Ancient Gesture” each convey the theme of unrelenting activity, “First Fig” presents a positive, almost glamorous picture of a frenzied lifestyle as it “gives a lovely light!” (Line 4). The light isn’t lovely in “An Ancient Gesture,” and Penelope’s candle doesn’t burn “at both ends” (Line 1). It burns at one end—struggle. If “An Ancient Gesture” is a partly autobiographical poem, it suggests that Millay’s candle began to burn only at one end near the end of her life. It wasn’t fun and hard work, like it appears in “First Fig”—it was just hard work.

“Ebb” by Edna St. Vincent Millay (1922)

In “An Ancient Gesture,” one of the reasons why Penelope cries is because of her missing husband. In “Ebb,” Millay also explores how a missing romantic partner can leave a person feeling distraught. Instead of focusing on tears, Millay focuses on her speaker’s heart. The departure of her lover has left it “tepid” (Line 6) and shriveled.