Candle (Symbol)
In the poem, the candle is a symbol for the speaker's life. The fact that she is burning her candle at both ends means that she is living in an extreme fashion (perhaps by working or partying too hard) and diminishing her life force. Just as the candle is the source of the light, the speaker's life is the source of her passion; both the candle and the speaker's life-force are burning out fast. However, the speaker does not present this as a problem because she lives authentically and intensely.
Light (Symbol)
The light coming from the candle symbolizes the speaker's passion and vibrancy. She burns her candle at both ends, meaning that her light is double that of a normal person. Though short-lived, the speaker's light is "lovely," and she celebrates it by proclaiming its beauty to both her friends and her enemies.
Fig (symbol)
Though figs don't appear in this short poem, the title "First Fig" relates to the collection as a whole (A Few Figs From Thistles). Figs are among the sweetest fruits due to their high sugar content. As they are typically available between July and October, they are also considered a seasonal delicacy to be relished. The message in "First Fig" about living authentically despite any controversy implies an argument that one should consume and enjoy the sweet fruit without worrying about the future. Figs can also symbolize femininity, and with this poem, Millay challenges commonly accepted roles for women. She demonstrates that a woman can live intensely, passionately, and artistically without being confined to a domestic role.
