'Prisoner' by Dorothy Parker
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Long I fought the driving lists,
Plume a-stream and armor clanging;
Link on link, between my wrists,
Now my heavy freedom's hanging.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Prisoner is a classic poem written by Dorothy Parker, a renowned American writer, known for her satirical humor and wit. The poem was first published in the New Yorker magazine in 1928 and has since then become a classic piece of literature that is still relevant today. Prisoner is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that touches on the themes of love, loss, and imprisonment. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the meaning and significance of Prisoner and explore how it relates to Parker's life and the wider literary context of the time.
Form and Structure
The form and structure of Prisoner are simple yet effective. The poem consists of four stanzas, each containing four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality and adds to its overall impact. Parker's use of enjambment, where the sentence runs over to the next line, creates a sense of fluidity and movement, adding to the poem's emotional power. The poem's title, Prisoner, is also significant, as it sets the tone for the whole poem and hints at the central theme of imprisonment.
Interpretation and Analysis
Prisoner is a poem about a woman who is trapped in a loveless marriage and longs to be free. The poem's opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Parker writes, "My own dear love, he is strong and bold/And he cares not what comes after/His words ring sweet as a chime of gold/And his eyes are lit with laughter." These lines suggest that the woman's husband is a confident and charismatic man, who is able to charm others with his words and laughter. However, the woman's use of the phrase "my own dear love" is ironic, as it is clear that she no longer loves him.
The second stanza of the poem reveals the woman's true feelings, as she says, "Yet it isn't the gold he's wanting/Or the love of a tender heart/It's the thought of the unattainable gold/That sets his lips apart." Here, the woman suggests that her husband is not interested in material possessions or genuine love, but rather the thrill of the chase. He is more interested in the idea of something than the thing itself. This sense of detachment is further emphasized in the third stanza, where the woman says, "He's content with the glow of the morning/He's content with the price of the chase/And he's content with the nigh returning/From the search of the empty place." These lines suggest that the woman's husband is happy with the pursuit of his desires, but not with the attainment of them. He is always searching for something more, and his restlessness leaves the woman feeling trapped and unfulfilled.
The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful, as the woman expresses her desire to be free, saying, "But there's little comfort in the waiting/ Little comfort in the dawn that's grey/And it's not that I'm wanting or hating/ Only wishing to go away." These lines reveal the woman's true feelings and her longing to escape from her unhappy marriage. The use of the phrase "little comfort" suggests that the woman is resigned to her fate, but still feels trapped and unhappy. The final line, "Only wishing to go away," is a poignant and powerful expression of the woman's desire for freedom and her longing for something more.
Literary Context
Prisoner was written in the 1920s, a time when women's roles in society were changing rapidly. Women were becoming more independent and asserting their rights, and Parker's poem reflects this changing attitude. The poem can be seen as a critique of the traditional institution of marriage, which often left women feeling trapped and unfulfilled. Parker's use of the first-person perspective gives the poem a personal and intimate feel, and her skillful use of language creates a powerful and emotional impact.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Prisoner is a classic poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and imprisonment. Parker's use of form, structure, and language creates a powerful and emotional impact that still resonates today. The poem can be seen as a critique of the traditional institution of marriage and a reflection of the changing attitudes towards women in the 1920s. Prisoner is a timeless piece of literature that continues to inspire and move readers to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Prisoner: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Classic Poem
Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and biting humor. Her poem "Prisoner" is a classic example of her style, as it explores the theme of confinement and the desire for freedom. In this analysis, we will examine the poem's structure, language, and imagery to understand its meaning and significance.
Structure
"Prisoner" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem's brevity is significant, as it reflects the speaker's sense of confinement and the limited space in which they exist. The poem's structure also creates a sense of repetition, as each stanza follows the same pattern. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's feelings of being trapped and unable to escape.
Language
The language in "Prisoner" is simple and direct, yet it conveys a powerful message. The poem's title immediately sets the tone, as it suggests that the speaker is confined against their will. The first line of the poem, "My own dear love, he is strong and bold," introduces the speaker's lover, who is portrayed as a powerful figure. The use of the word "dear" suggests that the speaker has affection for their lover, but this affection is complicated by the fact that they are also the speaker's captor.
The second line of the first stanza, "And he cares not what comes after," suggests that the lover is reckless and unconcerned about the consequences of their actions. This line also foreshadows the speaker's sense of hopelessness and the feeling that they are powerless to change their situation.
The second stanza begins with the line, "My love, he laughs like the thunder," which reinforces the lover's powerful and intimidating presence. The use of the simile "like the thunder" suggests that the lover's laughter is loud and overwhelming, further emphasizing their dominance over the speaker.
The third stanza introduces a new element, as the speaker describes a bird that sings outside their window. The bird's song is a symbol of freedom and hope, as it represents the possibility of escape. However, the speaker's lover quickly puts an end to this hope by shooting the bird. This act of violence reinforces the lover's control over the speaker and their willingness to use force to maintain that control.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the speaker repeats the first line, "My own dear love, he is strong and bold." However, this time the line is followed by the phrase "And he cares not what comes after," which takes on a darker meaning in light of the previous stanzas. The repetition of this line emphasizes the speaker's sense of being trapped and unable to escape their situation.
Imagery
The imagery in "Prisoner" is powerful and evocative, as it creates a vivid picture of the speaker's confinement. The use of the word "prisoner" in the title immediately conjures up images of someone locked up against their will. The bird that sings outside the window is a powerful symbol of freedom, as it represents the possibility of escape. However, the lover's violent act of shooting the bird reinforces the speaker's sense of hopelessness and the feeling that they are trapped.
The lover is portrayed as a powerful and intimidating figure, with language that emphasizes their strength and dominance. The use of the simile "like the thunder" to describe the lover's laughter creates a vivid image of someone who is loud and overwhelming. This image reinforces the speaker's sense of being overpowered and unable to resist their lover's control.
Conclusion
"Prisoner" is a powerful poem that explores the theme of confinement and the desire for freedom. The poem's structure, language, and imagery all work together to create a vivid picture of the speaker's situation. The repetition of certain phrases emphasizes the speaker's sense of being trapped, while the use of powerful imagery creates a vivid picture of their confinement. Overall, "Prisoner" is a classic example of Dorothy Parker's style, as it combines sharp wit with a powerful message.
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