I find it's as hard to live down an early triumph as an early indiscretion

I find it's as hard to live down an early triumph as an early indiscretion

Edna St. Vincent Millay, a renowned American poet and playwright, certainly understood the challenges that come with early success. Born in 1892 in Maine, Millay quickly rose to fame in the literary world with the publication of her first book of poetry, "Renascence," in 1912. This early triumph catapulted her into the spotlight and established her as a leading voice in the modernist poetry movement.

However, with success came scrutiny and pressure to live up to the high expectations set by her early work. Millay's subsequent collections of poetry were met with mixed reviews, as critics and readers alike compared them to the brilliance of "Renascence." Despite her continued output of quality poetry, Millay found it difficult to shake off the shadow of her early triumph and struggled to escape the label of being a one-hit wonder.

In addition to the challenges of living up to her early success, Millay also faced the burden of an early indiscretion that threatened to tarnish her reputation. In 1923, she caused a scandal by engaging in a highly publicized affair with the poet George Dillon, who was married at the time. The affair led to a messy divorce for Dillon and raised questions about Millay's moral character.

Despite these setbacks, Millay continued to write and publish poetry that showcased her talent and creativity. She won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1923 for her collection "The Ballad of the Harp-Weaver" and remained a respected figure in the literary world until her death in 1950.