Assignment: Poetry Explication. “Conscientious Objector”

Poetry Explication “Conscientious Objector”
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Poetry Explication “Conscientious Objector”
I. Introduction
“Conscientious Objector” is a poem composed by Edna St. Vincent Millay, expressing her strong views on pacifism. It was composed during the Second World War, a period where conscientiousness was deemed morally upright. The poem is composed from the perspective of a conscientious objector and the narrator repeatedly makes her opinion known regarding the expected behavior of society and how she is against it. The narrator is against war and will not be involved in any activity that facilitates death.
II. Discussion
The title of this poem “Conscientious Objector” immediately contributes to the reader’s understanding as it instantly provides a clear indication of the theme, which is anti-war. The “Conscientious Objector” is an individual who strongly opposes war for ethical, religious, or moral reasons (Webb, 1917). Thus, by inference, war itself is being deemed immoral because it facilitates death and militates against life. The poem “Conscientious Objector” then, stands as a declaration against the immorality associated with war and death which follows in its wake. “Conscientious Objector” begins with the recognition of the inevitability of death, death, and life being the opposite sides of the same coin. The acquiescent tone of “I shall die” is preceded by an equally ardent denial “But that is all I shall do for death” (Millay 1). Despite knowing the inevitability of death, she refuses to aid Death in its designs. In the opening line, the personification of Death is critical in intensifying the sense of the struggle. Here, the resistance exhibited is not against death as part of an unavoidable occurrence, but Death as an outcome of humankind’s senseless action in senseless war.
In “Conscientious Objector,” the poet herself is speaking, taking on the character of a conscientious objector and narrating from this perspective. The use of first-person narrative is seen throughout the poem through the extensive use of “I” making it clear that the poem is a monologue (Brennan, 2013). For example, “I will not give him a leg up,” (Millay, 3). Additionally, the extensive use of “I” shows the determination and confidence of the narrator in her beliefs. The situation as conveyed in the poem is the cruelty of death. Death is portrayed as a hunter killing for sport, not for prey. Once again, the image of the hunt reinforces the idea that war is meaningless. The theme of deat...