The Wild Party by Joseph Moncure March

My favorite image in this long poem is that of the candles. It is so genius to me the way in which, when the flickering of the candles is described in a different manner, the overall tone and rhythm of the party alters as well.

The state of the candles indicate the arrival of a new or changing atmosphere and changes the way the story is read. When “the party began to get going”, “the candles sputtered: their flames were gay; / And the shadows lept back out of the way” (43). The tone shifts to the more high-paced and chaotic environment of a 'wild party'. This changes the context in which the reader places the characters and makes the reading a different experience.It is no longer simply taking place in the private space belonging to Queenie and Burrs, the only characters we are initially introduced to. Now it is transformed into a bustling atmosphere and the behaviors, actions, and performances of all the characters are altered in response to these new surroundings. Just as the candles “sputtered” and “[a]re gay,” so are the party guests at this particular moment.

When the party reaches its climax “the candles flared: their flames sprang high: / The shadows leaned disheveled, awry” (68). The shadows are “disheveled” and wildly springing, just like people under the influence of alcohol often appear to be in the height of their fun. The candles are parallel to the party guests. The existence of this coordination is not merely coincidence; rather, in addition to providing light to see with, they suggest the tonal quality of particular moments in the poem.

Candles are typically lit at night or in dark places. Not only do they allow us to see objects in front of us with our eyes, but in this case they allow us to see coming events as well.