In the following essay, Clark relies on a variety of feminist and psychoanalytical ideas to define Renascence as a valiant, but ultimately unsuccessful, attempt to forge an authentic feminine poetic statement which would transcend the symbolism of male literary tradition.

In the following excerpt, Epstein describes the emotional and erotic context of Millay's poem.

In the following essay, Atkins comments on Millay's mastery of poetic diction in Renascence, remarking that the poet never “repudiated her heritage of natural English speech.”

In the following excerpt, Walker interprets Renascence as emblematic of the poet's awareness of the power and fragility her own body.

In the following essay, Gurko discusses the biographical and psychological context of Millay's poem.

In the following excerpt, Brittin praises Renascence as an inspired poem which eloquently conveys “a sense of the immense mystery of the universe.”

In the following review, originally published in the Dial magazine on 14 Februrary, 1918, Untermeyer praises the collection Renascence and Other Poems as an extraordinary work in which the reader finds “a direct and often dramatic power.”

In the following excerpt, Kreymborg praises Millay's exquisite craftsmanship, describing Renascence as a mystical work of prophetic power.

In the following excerpt, Benfey describes Renascence as a “claustrophobic” masterpiece.

In the following excerpt, Van Doren defines Renascence as “one of the loveliest of American poems.”

In the following excerpt, Cargill defines Renascence as an inspired description of a spiritual struggle.