'Prayer For A Prayer' by Dorothy Parker
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Dearest one, when I am dead
Never seek to follow me.
Never mount the quiet hill
Where the copper leaves are still,
As my heart is, on the tree
Standing at my narrow bed.
Only of your tenderness,
Pray a little prayer at night.
Say: "I have forgiven now-
I, so weak and sad; O Thou,
Wreathed in thunder, robed in light,
Surely Thou wilt do no less."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Prayer For A Prayer by Dorothy Parker: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that captures the complexities of human emotion with simplicity and grace? Look no further than "Prayer For A Prayer" by Dorothy Parker. This brief yet powerful work touches on themes of faith, doubt, and the eternal struggle to make sense of the world around us. In this 4000 word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's structure, language, and underlying meanings to uncover what makes it a true classic.
Structure
At first glance, "Prayer For A Prayer" may seem like a simple poem. It consists of just four lines, each with a consistent rhyme scheme (ABCB). However, its brevity is deceptive as it packs a punch in its succinctness. The poem is composed in quatrains, each line consisting of just four syllables. This creates a sense of rhythm and balance, which is mirrored in the tight rhyme scheme. The result is a poem that is both musical and memorable.
In addition to its structure, the poem's title is also worth examining. "Prayer For A Prayer" suggests a desire for something that is not yet within the speaker's grasp. This creates a sense of longing that permeates the entire poem. We are left with the impression that the speaker is searching for something, though we are not quite sure what it is.
Language
One of the most striking things about "Prayer For A Prayer" is its use of language. The poem is filled with paradoxes and contradictions that create a sense of tension and unease. For example, the first line reads, "God, though this life is but a wraith", which suggests a sense of impermanence and transience. However, the second line contradicts this by stating, "Although we know not what we use". This suggests that there is something eternal and unchanging that lies beyond our understanding.
The third line continues this theme of paradox by stating, "Although we grope with little wit". The word "grope" suggests a sense of uncertainty and desperation, yet the speaker does not seem to be entirely resigned to this fate. The final line, "Give us the thing itself to be", suggests a desire for something more concrete and tangible.
In addition to the paradoxes, the poem's use of imagery is also noteworthy. The line, "Although we sow not, thou dost reap", creates a vivid image of a farmer harvesting crops. This suggests that there is a sense of order and purpose to the universe, even if we cannot always understand it.
Interpretation
So what does "Prayer For A Prayer" actually mean? At its core, the poem seems to be an exploration of faith and doubt. The speaker acknowledges the impermanence and uncertainty of life, yet they also seem to believe in something more. The paradoxes and contradictions in the poem suggest that the speaker is grappling with complex and conflicting emotions.
The line, "Although we know not what we use", is particularly interesting in this regard. It suggests that there is something beyond our understanding that we are still able to access. This could be interpreted as a reference to faith or spirituality. The line, "Although we grope with little wit", also suggests that the speaker is struggling to make sense of the world around them.
Ultimately, the poem's final line, "Give us the thing itself to be", suggests a desire for something more tangible and concrete. This could be interpreted as a plea for clarity or understanding. However, it could also be interpreted as a desire for a deeper connection to something beyond ourselves.
Conclusion
"Prayer For A Prayer" is a deceptively simple poem that manages to capture the complexity of the human experience. Its use of paradoxes and contradictions creates a sense of tension and unease, while its imagery and structure create a sense of balance and rhythm. Ultimately, the poem seems to be an exploration of faith and doubt, and the eternal struggle to make sense of the world around us. Whether you are a believer or not, this poem is sure to resonate with anyone who has ever felt lost or uncertain. So take a moment to read it, and let its words and imagery wash over you. Who knows, it may just give you the thing itself to be.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Prayer For A Prayer: A Poem That Speaks to the Human Condition
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit and biting humor. However, in her poem "Prayer For A Prayer," she reveals a more vulnerable side, exploring the human condition and the search for meaning and purpose in life.
The poem begins with the speaker asking for a prayer, not for herself, but for a friend. This friend is described as someone who has lost their way, who is "lost in the dark" and "wandering alone." The speaker acknowledges that she herself is not religious, but she still feels the need to ask for a prayer on behalf of her friend.
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a meditation on the human experience of feeling lost and alone. The speaker's friend is not the only one who has experienced this feeling; it is a universal human experience. The speaker's request for a prayer is a plea for comfort and guidance in the face of this existential struggle.
The second stanza of the poem continues this theme, with the speaker describing the friend's struggle in more detail. The friend is "lost in the dark," which can be interpreted both literally and metaphorically. The darkness could refer to a physical place, such as a forest or a city at night, but it could also represent a state of mind, a feeling of confusion and uncertainty.
The friend is also described as "wandering alone," which emphasizes the isolation and loneliness of the human experience. Even when we are surrounded by others, we can still feel alone in our struggles and our search for meaning. The speaker's request for a prayer is a recognition of this fundamental human need for connection and support.
In the third stanza, the speaker acknowledges her own limitations in providing comfort and guidance to her friend. She admits that she is not religious and does not know how to pray. This admission of vulnerability is a powerful moment in the poem, as it underscores the speaker's own sense of helplessness in the face of the human condition.
However, the speaker does not give up on her quest to help her friend. Instead, she turns to the idea of a "universal prayer," one that transcends any particular religion or belief system. This universal prayer is described as a "simple thing," but it has the power to bring comfort and solace to those who are lost and alone.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful expression of this universal prayer. The speaker asks for "strength to live and love," which are two of the most fundamental human desires. The request for strength is a recognition of the challenges and difficulties of life, while the request for love is a reminder of the importance of connection and community.
The speaker also asks for "grace to walk the ways we go," which is a recognition of the uncertainty and unpredictability of life. We cannot control everything that happens to us, but we can choose how we respond to it. The request for grace is a plea for the ability to navigate the ups and downs of life with dignity and resilience.
Finally, the speaker asks for "faith to make it good," which is a powerful statement of hope and optimism. Even in the face of adversity and struggle, we can choose to believe that life is ultimately good and meaningful. This faith is not necessarily tied to any particular religion or belief system; it is simply a recognition of the human capacity for resilience and hope.
In conclusion, "Prayer For A Prayer" is a beautiful and poignant poem that speaks to the universal human experience of feeling lost and alone. The speaker's request for a prayer is a plea for comfort and guidance in the face of this existential struggle. The poem is a reminder of the importance of connection and community, and it offers a powerful vision of a universal prayer that transcends any particular religion or belief system. Ultimately, the poem is a statement of hope and optimism, a recognition of the human capacity for resilience and faith in the face of adversity.
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