Which work marked Millay's breakthrough in her poetry career?

• A. The Harp-Weaver
• B. What Lips My Lips Have Kissed
• C. A Few Figs from Thistles
• D. Renascence

Answer: (D)

Renascence shows how a single, striking work can launch a poet into national recognition. When Millay published Renascence in 1912, its expansive vision, lyrical immediacy, and blending of personal awakening with nature captivated readers and critics alike. The poem demonstrated a distinctive voice and technical command that stood out in the American poetry scene, drawing attention from publishers and circles beyond her local contacts. That surge of attention and the opportunities it created are what kicked off her career in a significant way.

The later works mentioned—The Harp-Weaver, A Few Figs from Thistles, and individual lyrics like What Lips My Lips Have Kissed—came after that initial breakthrough and helped sustain and expand her fame, but Renascence is the piece that first established her as a major new voice.