'Fair Weather' by Dorothy Parker


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This level reach of blue is not my sea;
Here are sweet waters, pretty in the sun,
Whose quiet ripples meet obediently
A marked and measured line, one after one.
This is no sea of mine. that humbly laves
Untroubled sands, spread glittering and warm.
I have a need of wilder, crueler waves;
They sicken of the calm, who knew the storm.

So let a love beat over me again,
Loosing its million desperate breakers wide;
Sudden and terrible to rise and wane;
Roaring the heavens apart; a reckless tide
That casts upon the heart, as it recedes,
Splinters and spars and dripping, salty weeds.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fair Weather by Dorothy Parker

Fair Weather is a sonnet by the American writer Dorothy Parker, published in 1926. It is a short poem that explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature. Parker's writing is known for its wit and sarcasm, and this poem is no exception. In this literary criticism, I will analyze the poem in detail and interpret its meaning.

Structure and Form

Fair Weather is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and meter. Parker uses the traditional Shakespearean sonnet form, which consists of three quatrains and a final couplet. The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, and the meter is iambic pentameter, which means each line has ten syllables with the stress falling on every other syllable.

The structure and form of the poem are significant because it creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The three quatrains each present a different idea, and the final couplet brings them together, creating a sense of closure. The iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythm that is pleasing to the ear, making it easier to remember and recite.

Analysis

Lines 1-4

When April comes adance, adance, And sweetly showers fall, Sure love comes out of circumstance, And not the heart at all.

The first quatrain introduces the central idea of the poem, which is that love is a product of circumstance rather than genuine emotion. Parker uses the metaphor of April and its showers to represent the unpredictability of love. April is a time of renewal and growth, but it can also be a time of sudden rainstorms and unexpected weather. Similarly, love can come out of nowhere, influenced by external factors rather than internal feelings.

The use of the word "adance" emphasizes the idea of movement and change, suggesting that love is not a static emotion but one that is constantly shifting. The repetition of the word "adance" also creates a musical quality to the poem, reinforcing the idea of movement and change.

Lines 5-8

Then April goes out crying, crying, And love is left alone, But April leaves the doors all lying Open for love unknown.

The second quatrain continues the metaphor of April as a representation of love. Parker uses the image of April leaving "crying" to suggest that love is fleeting and can disappear just as quickly as it appeared. However, the doors are left open for "love unknown," suggesting that there is always the possibility of new love entering one's life.

The use of repetition in this quatrain emphasizes the idea of loss and change. The repetition of "crying" and "lying" creates a sense of sadness and uncertainty. The rhyme scheme also reinforces this idea, with the words "crying" and "lying" rhyming with each other.

Lines 9-12

But when the years have gone, have gone, The door that April used Is shut against the loves forsworn, And leaves that were refused.

The third quatrain introduces the idea of time and how it can change one's perspective on love. The door that April left open is now closed, suggesting that opportunities for new love may become more limited as one grows older. The use of the phrase "loves forsworn" suggests that past relationships may have ended badly or been regretted.

The final line of the quatrain, "And leaves that were refused," suggests that there may have been missed opportunities for love in the past. The use of the word "refused" implies that these opportunities were intentionally rejected, perhaps due to fear or uncertainty.

Lines 13-14

But love that comes with a rainy day Is love that will not stay.

The final couplet brings together the ideas presented in the previous quatrains. The metaphor of April and its showers is repeated, but this time, Parker concludes that love that comes with a rainy day is love that will not stay. The use of the word "rainy" suggests that this love is unpredictable and fleeting.

The final line of the poem is particularly significant. The use of the word "stay" suggests that love is something that should endure over time, but the fact that the love that comes with a rainy day will not stay implies that it is not genuine or lasting.

Interpretation

Fair Weather is a poem that explores the transient nature of love. Parker presents love as something that is influenced by external factors rather than internal feelings. The use of the metaphor of April and its showers creates a sense of unpredictability and change, emphasizing the fleeting nature of love.

The final couplet suggests that genuine love is something that endures over time. The fact that the love that comes with a rainy day will not stay implies that it is not genuine or lasting. This interpretation suggests that Parker is skeptical of love that is based on external factors rather than genuine emotion.

The repetition of words and phrases throughout the poem creates a sense of balance and symmetry. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a rhythm that is pleasing to the ear, making it easier to remember and recite.

Conclusion

Fair Weather is a sonnet that explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature. Parker uses the metaphor of April and its showers to create a sense of unpredictability and change, emphasizing the idea that love is influenced by external factors rather than genuine emotion. The final couplet suggests that genuine love is something that endures over time, implying that love based on external factors is not genuine or lasting. The structure and form of the poem create a sense of balance and symmetry, making it a memorable and impactful work of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Fair Weather: A Poem by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations on life and love. Her poem "Fair Weather" is a perfect example of her unique style and voice, as she explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature.

The poem begins with a simple and straightforward statement: "This level reach of blue is not my sea." The speaker is looking at the sky, but she feels disconnected from it. She is not part of this vast and beautiful expanse of blue, and she longs for something more personal and intimate.

The next line reveals the reason for her longing: "Here are sweet waters, pretty in the sun." The speaker is surrounded by beauty and sweetness, but it is not enough for her. She wants something deeper and more meaningful than just pretty scenery.

The third line introduces the theme of love: "Where's my rumpled boy, where's my careless lover?" The speaker is looking for someone specific, someone who is not there with her. She misses her lover, who is probably off somewhere else, living his own life.

The fourth line continues the theme of love and longing: "Where's the boy who knows where I am shy?" The speaker is looking for someone who understands her, who knows her secrets and vulnerabilities. She wants someone who can see through her facade and love her for who she truly is.

The fifth line is a poignant expression of the speaker's loneliness and isolation: "Where's the boy who knows that I lie?" The speaker is admitting that she is not perfect, that she sometimes lies or hides her true feelings. She wants someone who can accept her flaws and love her anyway.

The sixth line is a powerful statement of the speaker's desire for love and connection: "Where's the boy who's kissed away my tears?" The speaker wants someone who can comfort her, who can make her feel better when she is sad or upset. She wants someone who cares about her and her feelings.

The seventh line is a reflection on the fleeting nature of love: "I'll never know, I'll never care, I'll never see him again." The speaker realizes that her lover may be gone forever, that she may never see him again. She is resigned to this fact, but it still hurts her deeply.

The eighth and final line is a bittersweet conclusion to the poem: "The land is bare and brown, and I am swept away." The speaker is back in the present moment, looking at the barren landscape around her. She feels swept away by her emotions, by her longing for love and connection. She is alone, but she still feels the power of her emotions.

Overall, "Fair Weather" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the theme of love and its fleeting nature. Dorothy Parker's use of simple language and imagery creates a powerful emotional impact, as the speaker expresses her longing and loneliness. The poem is a testament to the human desire for love and connection, and the pain that comes with its absence.

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