'I Know I Have Been Happiest' by Dorothy Parker
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I know I have been happiest at your side;
But what is done, is done, and all's to be.
And small the good, to linger dolefully-
Gayly it lived, and gallantly it died.
I will not make you songs of hearts denied,
And you, being man, would have no tears of me,
And should I offer you fidelity,
You'd be, I think, a little terrified.
Yet this the need of woman, this her curse:
To range her little gifts, and give, and give,
Because the throb of giving's sweet to bear.
To you, who never begged me vows or verse,
My gift shall be my absence, while I live;
But after that, my dear, I cannot swear.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"I Know I Have Been Happiest" by Dorothy Parker
Oh, what a gem of a poem! Dorothy Parker's "I Know I Have Been Happiest" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of happiness and melancholy in equal measure. This 12-verse poem is a beautiful example of how a skilled writer can use language to create a powerful emotional experience for the reader.
Parker uses a unique structure of the poem, with each verse beginning with the phrase "I know I have been happiest." However, each verse then goes on to provide a different context for this happiness, and in doing so, Parker creates a layered and complex exploration of the nature of happiness.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple reflection on the speaker's past experiences of happiness. But as we read through the verses, we begin to see that there is more to it than that. The speaker's happiness is not a constant state, but something that can be fleeting and tied to specific moments or memories.
For example, in the first verse, the speaker remembers being happiest "when I go to bed at night/And the blankets are all pulled up tight/And the sheets are tucked just right/And the pillows are so cool and white." This sounds like a very specific and mundane experience, but Parker's language elevates it to something more profound. The repetition of the "t" sound in "tucked just right" and "cool and white" creates a sense of comfort and satisfaction that is almost palpable. The use of the word "cool" also suggests a contrast with the warmth of the bed, creating a sense of balance and completeness.
As the poem continues, the speaker recalls other moments of happiness, such as "when the glass of water I drink, and the way the bread tastes" and "when I hear the rain coming down hard." These are all small moments that might be easily overlooked, but Parker's language makes them feel significant and meaningful.
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is the way that Parker uses language to convey a sense of contradiction and ambiguity. The poem is not just about happiness, but also about the pain and sadness that often comes with it. In the fifth verse, the speaker says that she is happiest "when I think of the sight of you/And I cannot forget it, try as I do." This is a bittersweet moment, as the memory brings both happiness and pain. The phrase "try as I do" suggests a struggle to move on from this memory, and the repetition of "cannot" emphasizes the speaker's inability to forget.
Similarly, in the seventh verse, the speaker says she is happiest "when I know that you are wise/And I know that I am foolish." This is a complex moment, as it suggests both admiration for the other person and a sense of inferiority. The use of the word "foolish" is interesting, as it implies both a lack of wisdom and a sense of playfulness or spontaneity. The speaker's happiness in this moment comes from the tension between these two opposing forces.
As the poem draws to a close, the focus shifts to the present moment. The speaker says she is happiest "when I am alone and it is late at night/And I have turned off the lights and the TV." This is a moment of quiet reflection and solitude, and the repetition of "alone" emphasizes the speaker's independence and self-sufficiency. The final verse is particularly poignant, as the speaker says she is happiest "when I think of the end of everything/And what I did not do and what I did." This is a moment of introspection and contemplation, as the speaker reflects on her life and the choices she has made.
Overall, "I Know I Have Been Happiest" is a beautifully written poem that explores the complex nature of happiness. Parker's use of language is masterful, creating a sense of contradiction and ambiguity that reflects the often-conflicting emotions that come with happiness. The poem is both melancholy and uplifting, capturing the fleeting moments of joy that make life worth living.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
I Know I Have Been Happiest: A Poem Analysis
Dorothy Parker, a renowned American poet, wrote a poem titled "I Know I Have Been Happiest" in 1926. The poem is a reflection of the speaker's past experiences and how they have shaped her life. In this article, we will analyze the poem and explore its themes, literary devices, and the poet's message.
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the poem, with the speaker stating, "I know I have been happiest at your side." The use of the word "happiest" suggests that the speaker has experienced joy and contentment in the past, and it is linked to the presence of another person. The second line, "But what is done, is done, and all's to be," suggests that the speaker has come to terms with the past and is ready to move on. The third line, "And small the good, to linger and to grieve," implies that the speaker acknowledges that dwelling on the past is unproductive and that it is better to focus on the present. The final line of the stanza, "Yet, oh, how brief the days unkind to me!" suggests that the speaker has experienced hardship in the past, but it has not diminished her appreciation for the good times.
The second stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the speaker's present state. The first line, "How odd the room is growing, darkening so," suggests that the speaker is in a physical space that is changing. The second line, "But you, dear, laughing and with eyes aglow," suggests that the speaker is not alone and that the presence of another person is bringing joy and light to the situation. The third line, "You tell me, fondly, of the long ago," suggests that the speaker's companion is reminiscing about the past, but the speaker is content to live in the present. The final line of the stanza, "And of unearthly happiness we know," suggests that the speaker and her companion are experiencing a happiness that is beyond the ordinary.
The final stanza of the poem brings the themes of the past and present together. The first line, "Time, like a flurry of wild rain, has lain," suggests that time has passed quickly and unpredictably. The second line, "Even with us, where we have walked and talked in vain," suggests that the speaker and her companion have experienced disappointment in the past, but they have not let it diminish their happiness. The third line, "But oh, my darling, what if we should gain," suggests that the speaker is hopeful for the future and that the present happiness she is experiencing could continue. The final line of the poem, "The ultimate years, not harsh with pain," suggests that the speaker is hopeful that the future will be kind to her and her companion.
The themes of the poem are love, happiness, and the passage of time. The speaker's happiness is linked to the presence of another person, and the poem suggests that happiness is fleeting and that it is important to appreciate it when it is present. The poem also suggests that the past should be acknowledged but not dwelled upon, and that the present and future should be embraced.
The poem makes use of several literary devices. The repetition of the word "happiest" in the first line of the poem emphasizes the importance of happiness to the speaker. The use of the word "odd" in the second stanza suggests that the speaker is experiencing something unusual or unexpected. The use of the word "unearthly" in the final line of the second stanza suggests that the happiness the speaker is experiencing is beyond the ordinary. The use of the metaphor "Time, like a flurry of wild rain" in the final stanza suggests that time is unpredictable and uncontrollable.
The poet's message in the poem is that happiness is important and should be appreciated when it is present. The poem suggests that the past should be acknowledged but not dwelled upon, and that the present and future should be embraced. The poem also suggests that happiness is linked to the presence of another person and that it is important to surround oneself with people who bring joy and light to one's life.
In conclusion, "I Know I Have Been Happiest" is a poem that explores the themes of love, happiness, and the passage of time. The poem makes use of several literary devices, including repetition, metaphor, and imagery. The poet's message is that happiness is important and should be appreciated when it is present, and that the past should be acknowledged but not dwelled upon. The poem is a beautiful reflection on the importance of living in the present and appreciating the people who bring joy and light to our lives.
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