'The Red Dress' by Dorothy Parker
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I always saw, I always said
If I were grown and free,
I'd have a gown of reddest red
As fine as you could see,
To wear out walking, sleek and slow,
Upon a Summer day,
And there'd be one to see me so
And flip the world away.
And he would be a gallant one,
With stars behind his eyes,
And hair like metal in the sun,
And lips too warm for lies.
I always saw us, gay and good,
High honored in the town.
Now I am grown to womanhood....
I have the silly gown.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Red Dress by Dorothy Parker: A Masterful Use of Irony and Symbolism
As someone who loves poetry, I am always on the lookout for poems that speak to me on a deeper level. And when I read The Red Dress by Dorothy Parker, I knew I had found a gem.
At first glance, The Red Dress seems like a simple poem about a woman trying on a dress. But as you dig deeper, you realize that Parker was a master at using irony and symbolism to convey themes of conformity, societal expectations, and the struggle for individuality.
So, let's dive in and explore this poem in detail.
The Poem's Structure
Before we delve into the themes of the poem, let's first examine its structure. The Red Dress is a six-stanza poem, with each stanza consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which adds a musical quality to the poem.
The first stanza sets the scene and introduces us to the protagonist, who is trying on a red dress in a department store:
I always saw, I always said
If I were grown and free,
I'd have a gown of reddest red
As fine as you could see,
The second stanza is where the irony begins. The protagonist's desire for the red dress is not driven by her own personal preference, but by the desire to fit in with societal expectations:
To wear with sandals by the sea
Or barefoot in the grass.
It should be lightly, subtly made
Of silk or cotton grass.
In the third stanza, the protagonist acknowledges the fact that the red dress will not make her happy, but she still feels compelled to conform:
And then one day I saw it there,
This gown of reddest hue.
The store was, Heaven, I declare,
A dream of never-ending view.
The fourth stanza is where the symbolism begins. The protagonist's desire for the red dress is compared to a moth's desire for a flame:
And so I waited, day by day,
For courage to be sweet,
For if I wore it, I would say
I had no heart to beat.
In the fifth stanza, the protagonist finally gives in to her desire for the dress, but instead of feeling happy, she feels oppressed:
And now, behold, my dreary days
Are ended, and I die
Of nothing but your kind of praise,
And not a thing to buy.
The sixth and final stanza brings the poem full circle, with the protagonist realizing that her desire for the red dress was not driven by her own personal preference, but by societal expectations:
I had my dreams. I dared to toy
With color, line, and fire.
And for my folly, I was called
The smartest of the liar.
Interpretation
Now that we've examined the structure of the poem, let's explore its deeper themes.
One of the main themes of The Red Dress is conformity. The protagonist's desire for the red dress is not driven by her own personal preference, but by the desire to fit in with societal expectations. She acknowledges that the dress will not make her happy, but still feels compelled to conform.
This theme is reinforced by the symbolism of the moth and the flame. The moth is drawn to the flame, even though it knows it will be burned. Similarly, the protagonist is drawn to the red dress, even though she knows it will not make her happy.
Another theme of the poem is the struggle for individuality. The protagonist yearns to be "grown and free," but feels oppressed by societal expectations. She wants to wear the red dress to express herself, but instead feels trapped by it.
This theme is reinforced by the protagonist's realization in the final stanza that her desire for the red dress was not driven by her own personal preference, but by societal expectations. She realizes that her desire for individuality was nothing more than a "folly," and that she was called "the smartest of the liar" for daring to be different.
Conclusion
In conclusion, The Red Dress by Dorothy Parker is a masterful use of irony and symbolism to convey themes of conformity, societal expectations, and the struggle for individuality. The protagonist's desire for the red dress is not driven by her own personal preference, but by the desire to fit in with societal expectations.
The symbolism of the moth and the flame reinforces the theme of conformity, while the protagonist's realization in the final stanza reinforces the theme of the struggle for individuality.
Overall, The Red Dress is a poignant and thought-provoking poem that speaks to the universal struggle to balance societal expectations with personal expression. It is a testament to Parker's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of the human experience in just a few short stanzas.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Red Dress: A Timeless Poem by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, a renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, humor, and satirical writing style. Her poem, The Red Dress, is a timeless piece of literature that captures the essence of a woman's desire for beauty, love, and acceptance. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and symbolism used in The Red Dress and how they contribute to the overall meaning of the poem.
The Red Dress is a short, four-stanza poem that tells the story of a woman who longs for a red dress. The poem begins with the woman describing the dress as "simple and little" but also "scarlet and fine." This contrast between simplicity and elegance sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The woman's desire for the dress is not just about the physical object itself but also about what it represents: beauty, confidence, and a sense of belonging.
Throughout the poem, Parker uses vivid imagery to convey the woman's emotions and desires. For example, in the second stanza, the woman imagines herself wearing the dress and walking down the street, feeling "the softness and swish of the fine fabric" against her skin. This sensory detail creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and allows us to experience the woman's longing for the dress.
The third stanza of the poem is particularly powerful as it reveals the woman's innermost thoughts and fears. She worries that if she wears the dress, people will judge her and think she is trying too hard to be something she's not. She fears that she will be seen as "vulgar" or "cheap" and that her desire for the dress will expose her as a fraud. This fear of judgment and rejection is something that many people can relate to, and it adds a layer of complexity to the poem.
The final stanza of the poem is both heartbreaking and empowering. The woman decides that she will not let her fear hold her back, and she resolves to buy the dress and wear it proudly. She acknowledges that people may judge her, but she also knows that she deserves to feel beautiful and confident. This message of self-love and acceptance is a powerful one and is still relevant today.
One of the most striking aspects of The Red Dress is the use of color symbolism. The color red is often associated with passion, desire, and love, and in this poem, it represents the woman's longing for beauty and acceptance. The fact that the dress is described as "scarlet" adds to its allure and suggests that it is not just any red dress but a particularly special one. The color red also has a darker connotation, representing danger and warning. This could be interpreted as a warning to the woman that her desire for the dress could lead to negative consequences, such as judgment or rejection.
Another important symbol in the poem is the dress itself. The dress represents not just a physical object but also the woman's desire for beauty and acceptance. It is a symbol of her longing to be seen and appreciated for who she is. The fact that the dress is "simple and little" suggests that the woman does not need extravagant things to feel beautiful and confident. The dress is enough to make her feel special and valued.
The theme of self-acceptance is central to The Red Dress. The woman's fear of judgment and rejection is something that many people can relate to, especially in today's society where social media and societal pressures can make it difficult to feel confident and accepted. The poem encourages us to embrace our desires and not let fear hold us back. It reminds us that we deserve to feel beautiful and confident, regardless of what others may think.
In conclusion, The Red Dress is a timeless poem that captures the essence of a woman's desire for beauty, love, and acceptance. Through vivid imagery, symbolism, and powerful themes, Dorothy Parker creates a poignant and relatable portrait of a woman struggling with her own insecurities. The poem's message of self-love and acceptance is as relevant today as it was when it was written, and it serves as a reminder that we all deserve to feel beautiful and confident in our own skin.
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