Shahrukh Mujahid Khan

2119-BH-ENG-20

ENG-4204

Dr. Saima Jabeen

December 29, 2023

Linguistic Features in “Not in a Silver Casket” by Edna St. Vincent Millay

1. Introduction:

"Not in a Silver Casket" by Edna St. Vincent Millay is a poem that exemplifies the use of

linguistic features to create cohesion and convey a message. This essay aims to analyze and

identify the different cohesions employed in the poem to establish a comprehensive

understanding of how the poet conveys the theme. Through the use of syntactic, phonological,

and morphological cohesion, the poet highlights the genuine and unadorned nature of love,

rejecting conventional symbols. This analysis also delves into the poem's use of meter,

assonance, consonance, and alliteration to reinforce its message. The following sections will

discuss each aspect in detail.

2. Thematic Analysis:

The thematic analysis of "Not in a Silver Casket" highlights a unique and genuine

expression of love, rejecting the conventional symbols associated with romantic relationships.

The overarching theme of the poem is the celebration of a love that is open, unadorned, and free

from the constraints of material possessions. The speaker rejects the idea of encapsulating love in
extravagant gifts or traditional tokens like rings and lovers' knots. Instead, they present love as a

simple, honest offering, akin to bringing cowslips in a hat or apples in a skirt. The emphasis is on

the sincerity and spontaneity of love, void of artificial embellishments. The poem challenges

societal expectations and norms by advocating for a love that is genuine, unburdened by

materialistic trappings, and rooted in emotional honesty.

3. Syntactic Cohesion:

Syntactic cohesion is the grammatical and structural connections between words, phrases,

and sentences in a poem. The use of parallel structure, repeated sentence structures, and

consistent grammatical elements creates syntactic cohesion in a text. An example of which is

how in Robert Frost's poem "Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening," the repeated structure of

the last two lines in each stanza creates syntactic cohesion.

"Not in a Silver Casket" employs syntactic cohesion through the consistent structure of

sentences and the use of parallelism. The repetition of the structure "Not in a... but" unifies the

lines, creating a sense of balance and order in the poem. This syntactic pattern reinforces the

rejection of conventional symbols of love and emphasizes the genuine nature of the speaker's

affections.

Example:

“Not in a silver casket cool with pearls

Or rich with red corundum or with blue,

Locked, and the key withheld, as other girls

Have given their loves, I give my love to you;”

 4. Phonological Cohesion:

Phonological cohesion relates to the sound patterns and rhythmic structures in a poem.

For example, in Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven," the repetition of the "-ore" sound in the word

"Lenore" and "Nevermore" contributes to phonological cohesion.

The poem "Not in a Silver Casket" exhibits phonological cohesion through its use of

rhyme and alliteration. The ABABCC rhyming scheme creates musicality within the poem while

connecting lines and reinforcing thematic elements. For instance, the rhyming pairs "pearls" and

"girls," and "blue" and "you" demonstrate phonological cohesion. The primary sounds in this

poem are those containing "oo" and "u," such as "cool," "casket," and "with," which create a

calm and harmonious ambiance while delivering the speaker's message. Alliteration can be

observed in "Semper fidelis," drawing attention to the phrase and enhancing its musicality.

Additionally, consonance in words such as "hidden" and "unhidden" produces consonant sounds

that give a measured and deliberate pace to the poem's verses.

Example:

“Or rich with red corundum or with blue,

Semper fidelis, where a secret spring”

In essence, the poet employs these sonic devices not just for their aesthetic appeal but to

enhance the overall mood and delivery of the poem. The assonance, alliteration, and consonance

work together, creating a melodic quality that complements the theme of sincere and

uncomplicated love presented in the verses.

5. Morphological Cohesion:
 Morphological cohesion in poetry deals with the structure and formation of words. It is

the analysis of how words are derived, inflected, or modified to create meaning. For example, in

William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," the morphological cohesion is evident

in the repeated use of the daffodil-related words like "golden," "dancing," and "fluttering."

In "Not in a Silver Casket," the morphemes 'not' and 'un-' are utilized to emphasize

negation of traditional symbols of love. Consequently, 'not' is used multiple times, such as in

"not in a silver casket," and "not in a lovers' knot." Similar, "un-" is also repeated while

explaining the simplicity of the speaker's love. "Ungemmed, unhidden," are used to describe the

unadorned nature of affection, expressing that love can exist without traditional adornments.

Thus, the morphological cohesion in this poem reinforces the thematic significance and adds

layers to the poet's intended meaning.

Example:

“Not in a lovers'-knot, not in a ring

Ungemmed, unhidden, wishing not to hurt,”

In summary, the poem showcases cohesion through its syntactic structure, phonological

devices such as rhyme and alliteration, and the consistent use of certain morphemes to convey

the theme of a love unadorned by traditional symbols. By analyzing these aspects, we can gain a

deeper understanding of how a poet uses language to create cohesion within a poem. Each

element contributes to the overall unity and impact of the poetic work.
 6. Synthesis of Cohesions:

The cohesions of syntax, phonology, and morphology in "Not in a Silver Casket" work in

harmony to convey the poem's theme of genuine and unadorned love. Syntactic cohesion is seen

through the consistent structure of sentences, emphasizing the rejection of conventional symbols.

Phonological cohesion adds a melodic quality to the verses through rhyme, alliteration, and

consonance, enhancing the emotional resonance of the poem. Morphological cohesion reinforces

the theme by repeating certain words and morphemes that emphasize the absence of traditional

symbols. Together, these cohesions create a unified and impactful expression of sincere

affection, highlighting the importance of emotional honesty and rejecting societal expectations.

7. Meter:

The meter used in "Not in a Silver Casket" is primarily iambic pentameter, a common

poetic meter where each line consists of five iambs, which are pairs of syllables with the

emphasis on the second syllable. This regularity of meter contributes to the rhythmic flow of the

poem, creating a sense of balance and order. For example, in the line "Not in a silver casket cool

with pearls," each syllable is stressed and unstressed in a predictable pattern, resulting in the

iambic pentameter structure. This consistent metrical pattern adds to the musicality of the poem

and enhances the overall impact of the verses.

8. Rhyming Scheme:

The rhyming scheme employed in "Not in a Silver Casket" is ABABCC, where the end

sounds of alternate lines rhyme with each other. This particular rhyming pattern adds a musical

quality to the poem, connecting lines and reinforcing the thematic elements. For instance, the

rhyming pairs "pearls" and "girls," and "blue" and "you," demonstrate the ABAB portion of the
scheme. The additional C rhyme at the end of the poem with words like "plain" and "brain" adds

a concluding emphasis to the poem's message. This consistent ABABCC rhyming scheme

creates a sense of unity and harmony throughout the poem, enhancing the overall impact of the

verses.

Example:

"Not in a silver casket cool with pearls (A)

Or rich with red corundum or with blue, (B)

Locked, and the key withheld, as other girls (A)

Have given their loves, I give my love to you; (B)

Not in a lovers'-knot, not in a ring (C)

Worked in such fashion, and the legend plain– (C)

Semper fidelis, where a secret spring (C)

Kennels a drop of mischief for the brain: (C)"

9. Symbolic Analysis and Significance:

The poem "Not in a Silver Casket" utilizes symbolism to convey its themes and evoke

deeper meaning. One significant symbol in the poem is the open hand, which represents

emotional honesty and a rejection of materialistic and formulaic expressions of love. The speaker

presents their love as an offering in an open hand, devoid of any hidden agenda or artificial

adornments. This symbol emphasizes the importance of sincerity and authenticity in

relationships, highlighting the value of genuine affection. By using the open hand as a symbol,
the poet communicates a profound message about the true essence of love, encouraging the

reader to prioritize emotional honesty and simplicity in their connections with others.

10. Conclusion:

In conclusion, the poem "Not in a Silver Casket" by Edna St. Vincent Millay

demonstrates the effective use of linguistic features to create cohesion and convey its thematic

message. Through the analysis of syntactic cohesion, phonological cohesion, and morphological

cohesion, we are able to observe how the poet emphasizes the genuine and unadorned nature of

love, rejecting traditional symbols. The use of iambic pentameter and the ABABCC rhyming

scheme contribute to the poem's musicality and enhance its impact. Additionally, the symbolism

of the open hand underscores the importance of emotional honesty in relationships. Overall, the

poem celebrates the authenticity and sincerity of love, reminding us of the significance of

genuine connections devoid of external expectations and materialistic trappings.