'From A Letter From Lesbia' by Dorothy Parker


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... So, praise the gods, Catullus is away!
And let me tend you this advice, my dear:
Take any lover that you will, or may,
Except a poet. All of them are queer.

It's just the same- a quarrel or a kiss
Is but a tune to play upon his pipe.
He's always hymning that or wailing this;
Myself, I much prefer the business type.

That thing he wrote, the time the sparrow died-
(Oh, most unpleasant- gloomy, tedious words!)
I called it sweet, and made believe I cried;
The stupid fool! I've always hated birds....

Editor 1 Interpretation

Exciting Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "From A Letter From Lesbia" by Dorothy Parker

Oh, how thrilling it is to dive into the world of Dorothy Parker, a master of wit and irony. Her poem "From A Letter From Lesbia" is no exception, as it delves into the complexities of love and heartbreak.

Overview of the Poem

At its core, "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a love poem. It tells the story of a woman, Lesbia, who is in love with a man who does not reciprocate her feelings. The poem is written in the form of a letter, as Lesbia addresses her words to the man who has broken her heart.

Throughout the poem, Lesbia struggles with her emotions. She vacillates between anger, sadness, and bitterness, as she tries to come to terms with her unrequited love. Parker captures this emotional turmoil through her use of language and imagery.

Analysis of the Poem

One of the most striking aspects of "From A Letter From Lesbia" is its use of irony. Parker employs irony to great effect in this poem, as she juxtaposes Lesbia's heartfelt emotions with her sarcastic wit.

For example, in the opening stanza of the poem, Lesbia writes:

Sir, I admit your general rule,
That every poet is a fool,
But you yourself may serve to show it,
That every fool is not a poet.

Here, Lesbia is clearly hurt and angry at the man who has rejected her. However, instead of expressing her emotions in a straightforward manner, she uses irony to convey her message. By calling him a fool and stating that not every fool is a poet, Lesbia is both insulting him and highlighting his lack of artistic talent.

Parker continues to use irony throughout the poem, as Lesbia expresses her frustration with the man who has broken her heart. In one stanza, she writes:

You bid me try, since all is o'er,
And I, with heart that's bruised and sore,
Take up the task, though I'm not able,
For grief has left me with a table.

Here, Lesbia is mocking the man's request that she move on and try to find love elsewhere. By saying that grief has left her with a table, she is both making a humorous comment about her own emotional state and highlighting the absurdity of the man's suggestion.

In addition to its use of irony, "From A Letter From Lesbia" also employs powerful imagery to convey Lesbia's emotions. Throughout the poem, Parker uses vivid descriptions to capture the pain and heartbreak that Lesbia is feeling.

For example, in one stanza, Lesbia writes:

The roses have a fainter hue,
Since I've no hope of seeing you;
The very stars are darker, too,
Because they look so far from you.

Here, Parker is using imagery to convey Lesbia's sense of loss and despair. The roses, which are typically associated with love and passion, have lost their vibrancy, reflecting Lesbia's own loss of hope. Similarly, the stars, which are often used to symbolize love and romance, seem distant and unattainable, just like the man who has rejected Lesbia.

Interpretation of the Poem

So, what is the meaning behind "From A Letter From Lesbia"? At its core, this poem is a commentary on the pain and suffering that comes with unrequited love. Lesbia is a woman who has given her heart to a man who does not love her in return. She is left feeling alone, rejected, and heartbroken, and she is struggling to come to terms with her emotions.

However, despite the sadness and bitterness that Lesbia expresses throughout the poem, there is also a sense of resilience and strength. Parker portrays Lesbia as a woman who is not afraid to speak her mind and express her emotions, even in the face of rejection and heartbreak.

In the end, "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a powerful exploration of the complexities of love and relationships. Parker's use of irony and imagery captures the pain and heartbreak of unrequited love, while also highlighting the strength and resilience of those who have experienced it.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a masterful poem that explores the emotional turmoil of unrequited love. Parker's use of irony and imagery is both powerful and effective, capturing the pain and heartbreak of Lesbia's experiences. However, despite the sadness and bitterness that Lesbia expresses, there is also a sense of resilience and strength that shines through. This poem is a testament to the power of words and the enduring nature of love, even in the face of rejection and heartbreak.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

From A Letter From Lesbia: A Classic Poem by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker is one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her works are known for their wit, humor, and sharp observations of human behavior. One of her most famous poems is "From A Letter From Lesbia," which was first published in 1926. This poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry, and it is still relevant today.

The poem is written in the form of a letter from Lesbia to her lover. It is a love poem, but it is not a conventional one. The poem is full of irony, sarcasm, and bitterness. It is a poem about love, but it is also a poem about the pain of love.

The poem begins with the line, "You gave me the child that seared my heart." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It is a line full of pain and bitterness. Lesbia is blaming her lover for the pain she is feeling. She is saying that he is the one who gave her the child that has caused her so much pain.

The next line is, "Do you think I'll forget the pain you gave?" This line is full of sarcasm. Lesbia is saying that she will never forget the pain her lover has caused her. She is saying that he is the one who has caused her pain, and she will never forget it.

The poem then goes on to describe the pain that Lesbia is feeling. She talks about how she cannot sleep at night because of the pain. She talks about how she cannot eat because of the pain. She talks about how she cannot even think because of the pain.

The poem then takes a turn. Lesbia starts to talk about how she is going to get revenge on her lover. She talks about how she is going to make him feel the pain that she is feeling. She talks about how she is going to make him suffer.

The poem ends with the line, "I'll make you pay for every sleepless night." This line is full of anger and bitterness. Lesbia is saying that she is going to make her lover pay for the pain he has caused her. She is saying that she is going to make him suffer just like she has suffered.

The poem is a masterpiece of modernist poetry. It is full of irony, sarcasm, and bitterness. It is a poem about love, but it is also a poem about the pain of love. It is a poem that is still relevant today, almost 100 years after it was first published.

In conclusion, "From A Letter From Lesbia" is a classic poem by Dorothy Parker. It is a poem that is full of irony, sarcasm, and bitterness. It is a poem about love, but it is also a poem about the pain of love. It is a poem that is still relevant today, and it is a poem that will continue to be relevant for many years to come.

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