Edna St. Vincent Millay was an American poet, playwright, and actress who challenged the social norms of the early twentieth century. Her poem "First Fig," published in her 1920 collection A Few Figs From Thistles, concerns the intense and passionate lifestyle that Millay created for herself.
In just four short lines, "First Fig" depicts Millay's own vibrant nature. Using the idiom of a candle burning at both ends, the speaker describes how her candlelight won't last the night. She addresses both her enemies and her friends, remarking how lovely her light is.
"First Fig" is a well-anthologized poem due to its celebration of a lifestyle considered by some to be scandalous for women. A Few Figs From Thistles as a whole was perceived as controversial for its feminist overtones. Several poems in the collection concern female sexuality, and challenge the social norms and expectations for women that dominated Millay's early years. Millay eventually won a Pulitzer Prize for her poetry.
