'Summary' by Dorothy Parker
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Every love's the love before
In a duller dress.
That's the measure of my lore-
Here's my bitterness:
Would I knew a little more,
Or very much less!
Editor 1 Interpretation
An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's "Summary"
Dorothy Parker's "Summary" is a short but powerful poem that packs a punch with its clever use of language and ironic tone. At first glance, the poem seems like a simple summary of a woman's life, but upon closer examination, it reveals a deeper, darker truth about the expectations placed upon women in society.
The Poem
Before delving into the meaning behind the poem, let's first take a look at the text itself:
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
At only eight lines long, the poem is deceptively brief, but its impact is undeniable. Each line presents a different method of suicide, with the final line offering a resigned acceptance of life, no matter how painful or difficult it may be.
Analysis
On the surface, "Summary" appears to be a parody of the "live and let live" philosophy. The poem presents a number of gruesome ways to die, but ultimately concludes that life is still preferable to death. At first glance, "Summary" seems like an appeal to optimism in the face of adversity, but a closer reading reveals a much more complex interpretation.
The poem's first four lines allude to the societal pressures placed on women. Razors, acids, and drugs are all methods that women have historically used to harm themselves, whether as a means of attempting suicide or as a form of self-harm. Women have also been known to drown themselves in rivers, either to escape their lives or as a form of punishment. The use of these specific examples suggests that the woman in the poem has been pushed to her limit by societal expectations and is contemplating suicide.
The next two lines, "Guns aren't lawful; Nooses give," suggest that even if the woman wanted to end her life, she would face obstacles in doing so. Guns are illegal in many places, and nooses require a certain level of skill and equipment to properly execute. The fact that these methods are mentioned at all suggests that the woman has considered them but has been unable to act on her impulses.
The final line, "Gas smells awful; You might as well live," is particularly striking. On the surface, it appears to be a statement of optimism, suggesting that life is worth living no matter how difficult it may be. However, the use of the word "might" suggests that the woman is not entirely convinced. The fact that "gas smells awful" implies that the woman has considered this method of suicide as well, and the fact that she ultimately decides to continue living suggests that she has resigned herself to a life that she does not want.
Interpretation
"Summary" can be interpreted as a commentary on the societal expectations placed on women. The use of suicide as a metaphor suggests that women are often pushed to their breaking point by the expectations placed upon them. The fact that the woman in the poem has considered various methods of suicide suggests that she feels trapped and powerless, and the final line implies that she has given up on ever being truly happy.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on mental health. The fact that the woman is considering suicide suggests that she may be struggling with depression or other mental health issues. The fact that she ultimately decides to continue living suggests that she is either unable or unwilling to seek help for her issues.
Conclusion
"Summary" is a powerful poem that offers a bleak but realistic look at the pressures faced by women in society. The use of suicide as a metaphor is particularly effective, as it highlights the desperation and hopelessness that many women feel in the face of societal expectations. The poem's ironic tone and clever wordplay make it a compelling and thought-provoking piece of literature that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dorothy Parker's "Summary" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a short, witty, and satirical piece that takes a critical look at the human condition. The poem is a commentary on the futility of life and the inevitability of death. Parker's use of irony and sarcasm makes the poem both humorous and thought-provoking.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that "the reason why I'm not dead / Is that there's nothing left to do." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is not living because they have a purpose or a reason to live, but rather because there is nothing else to do. This is a bleak and depressing view of life, but it is also a realistic one. Many people go through life without a clear purpose or direction, and they simply exist because they have to.
The next few lines of the poem are a commentary on the monotony of life. The speaker says that they have "eaten and slept and drunk and gone to work / And breathed and put on my clothes and gone to work." This repetition of the phrase "gone to work" emphasizes the dullness and routine of the speaker's life. They are simply going through the motions, without any real passion or enthusiasm.
The speaker then goes on to say that they have "read the newspaper and the comic section / And the front page and the editorial page." This line is a commentary on the state of the world. The speaker has read the news, but it has not inspired them to take action or make a difference. They have also read the comic section, which is a form of escapism. The fact that the speaker has read both the front page and the editorial page suggests that they are aware of the problems in the world, but they feel powerless to do anything about them.
The next few lines of the poem are a commentary on the futility of life. The speaker says that they have "gone to the movies and stayed to the end / And listened to the radio and stayed to the end." This repetition of the phrase "stayed to the end" emphasizes the fact that the speaker has seen and heard everything there is to see and hear. They have experienced everything that life has to offer, but they still feel unfulfilled.
The speaker then goes on to say that they have "gone to the theater and stayed to the end / And turned on the television and stayed to the end." This repetition of the phrase "stayed to the end" emphasizes the fact that the speaker has seen and heard everything there is to see and hear. They have experienced everything that life has to offer, but they still feel unfulfilled.
The next few lines of the poem are a commentary on the inevitability of death. The speaker says that they have "gone to bed and slept until morning / And gotten up and started all over again." This repetition of the phrase "started all over again" emphasizes the fact that life is cyclical. We are born, we live, and we die. The speaker is aware of their mortality, and they know that no matter what they do, they will eventually die.
The final lines of the poem are a commentary on the meaninglessness of life. The speaker says that they have "laughed and cried and hoped and feared / And wondered and doubted and believed and denied." This repetition of the phrase "and" emphasizes the fact that life is a series of contradictions. We experience joy and sadness, hope and fear, wonder and doubt. The speaker has experienced all of these things, but they still feel unfulfilled.
The final line of the poem is a commentary on the futility of life. The speaker says that "the reason why I'm not dead / Is that there's nothing left to do." This line emphasizes the fact that life is ultimately meaningless. We exist, we experience things, and then we die. There is no grand purpose or meaning to life. We simply exist.
In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's "Summary" is a powerful commentary on the human condition. The poem is a bleak and depressing view of life, but it is also a realistic one. Parker's use of irony and sarcasm makes the poem both humorous and thought-provoking. The poem is a reminder that life is ultimately meaningless, and that we should make the most of the time we have.
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