The connection between Edna St. Vincent Millay's poem 'First Fig' and (teenage) life in the twenties. I wrote this in the 9th grade, so it's not my best work.

Essay by IronicParadoxJunior High, 9th gradeA+, April 2003

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Edna St. Vincent Millay was a poet in the 1920s. She wrote mainly about celebrating youth, the freedom, and independence the youths had during these "Roaring Twenties." This essay will tell what her poem 'First Fig' reveals about a teenages life in 1920's America.

The Poem: My candle burns at both ends;

It will not last all night;

But ah, my foes, and my friends---

It gives a lovely light!

The poem 'First Fig,' written by Edna St. Vincent Millay, symbolizes the 'live for the present' attitude that was prevalent in the 1920s. At this time, society was changing a great deal. These changes were especially visible in the lives of teenages.

The first line: "My candle burns at both ends;" tells about how the life of a teen was much different than what it used to be. By reading this first line, one would get the idea that life was better and 'brighter' than ever before.

It was more fun and exciting, and people are having a good time. The candle probably represents the good years of their lives; and it's as good as it gets.

The second line: "It will not last the night;" tells of how these good times aren't going to last forever. a burning candle has to go out eventually; one that burns at both ends will go out even sooner. The brighter it burns, the shorter it lasts. The better life is, the less time it is going to stay that way (a classic example of "What goes up, must come down").

The third line: "But ah, my foes, and my friends;" states that it doesn't matter if someone is your best friend or your worst enemy, they can't change the inevitable, nor can they take away what you or anyone...