'There Was One' by Dorothy Parker
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There was one a-riding grand
On a tall brown mare,
And a fine gold band
He brought me there.
A little, gold band
He held to me
That would shine on a hand
For the world to see.
There was one a-walking swift
To a little, new song,
And a rose was the gift
He carried along,
First of all the posies,
Dewy and red.
They that have roses
Never need bread.
There was one with a swagger
And a soft, slow tongue,
And a bright, cold dagger
Where his left hand swung-
Craven and gilt,
Old and bad-
And his stroking of the hilt
Set a girl mad.
There was one a-riding grand
As he rode from me.
And he raised his golden band
And he threw it in the sea.
There was one a-walking slow
To a sad, Iong sigh.
And his rose drooped low,
And he flung it down to die.
There was one with a swagger
And a little, sharp pride,
And a bright, cold dagger
Ever at his side.
At his side it stayed
When he ran to part.
What is this blade
Struck through my heart?
Editor 1 Interpretation
There Was One by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece for the Ages
There are certain poems that linger in our minds long after we read them. There Was One by Dorothy Parker is one such poem. It is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love and loss, and the pain of being alone. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various themes, symbols, and narrative techniques used in the poem, and try to unravel its deeper meaning.
The Poem
First, let us take a brief look at the poem itself:
There was one
Who sought
A new
Road;
He flung himself in,
And was
Hung up
By the lack of a load.
He hung there and cried,
And no one replied,
And the wheels of the passing world whined.
But one came who knew
The way to pull through,
And he hauled the poor devil behind.
The poem consists of four quatrains, with each line containing two or three syllables. The poem employs a simple and direct language, with no unnecessary words or ornamentation. The poem's brevity and simplicity make it all the more poignant, as it captures the essence of human suffering in just a few lines.
Themes
The poem explores several themes, the most prominent of which is loneliness. The protagonist is alone on his journey, and when he gets stuck, there is no one around to help him. He cries out for help, but his cries go unanswered, and the world around him seems to be passing him by. The theme of loneliness is further reinforced by the poem's sparse language and lack of extraneous details.
The poem also explores the theme of perseverance. The protagonist is determined to find a new road, and despite his initial setback, he refuses to give up. It is only through his own perseverance and the help of a kind stranger that he is able to continue on his journey. This theme of perseverance is a common one in Parker's work, and it reflects her own struggles as a writer and a woman in a male-dominated society.
Another theme that the poem explores is the concept of helplessness. The protagonist is completely helpless when he first gets stuck, and he is unable to free himself from his predicament. It is only through the help of another person that he is able to move forward. This theme of helplessness is one that many people can relate to, as we all experience moments in our lives when we feel completely powerless.
Symbols
The poem makes use of several symbols to further reinforce its themes. The lack of a load that causes the protagonist to get stuck is a symbol of the burdens that we all carry in life. These burdens can weigh us down and prevent us from moving forward, just as the lack of a load prevents the protagonist from continuing on his journey.
The passing world is another symbol that is used in the poem. It represents the fast-paced and uncaring nature of modern society, where people are too busy with their own lives to stop and help others. The wheels of the passing world whine, further emphasizing the cold and unfeeling nature of the world around us.
Finally, the stranger who helps the protagonist is a symbol of the kindness and compassion that still exists in the world. Despite the uncaring nature of the passing world, there are still those among us who are willing to stop and help those in need. The stranger's act of kindness represents the hope that we can all find help and support when we need it most.
Narrative Techniques
The poem makes use of several narrative techniques to convey its message. First and foremost, the poem is written in the third person, which allows the reader to distance themselves from the protagonist and view his situation objectively. This distance also emphasizes the protagonist's loneliness, as he is not even given the dignity of a name.
The poem also employs a simple and direct language, which allows the reader to focus on the themes and symbols without being distracted by flowery language or complicated metaphors. The short and simple lines also give the poem a sense of urgency, as if the protagonist's predicament is unfolding before our very eyes.
Finally, the poem's structure is also significant. The four quatrains represent the protagonist's journey, from his initial attempt to find a new road to his eventual rescue. The poem's brevity and simplicity also make it accessible to a wide range of readers, regardless of their level of education or literary experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, There Was One by Dorothy Parker is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It explores themes of loneliness, perseverance, and helplessness, and makes use of symbols and narrative techniques to convey its message. The poem's brevity and simplicity make it all the more powerful, as it captures the essence of human suffering in just a few lines. It is a work that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come, and a testament to the enduring power of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Deep Dive into Dorothy Parker's "There Was One"
Dorothy Parker is one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century. Her works are known for their wit, humor, and sharp observations of human nature. One of her most famous poems is "There Was One," a short but powerful piece that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection. In this article, we will take a deep dive into the poem, analyzing its structure, language, and meaning.
The Structure of the Poem
"There Was One" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is structured in a way that creates a powerful impact on the reader. The poem is written in free verse, meaning that it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This gives Parker the freedom to play with language and create a more natural, conversational tone.
The poem is divided into two stanzas, with the first stanza consisting of three lines and the second stanza consisting of two lines. The final line of the poem stands alone, emphasizing its importance and creating a sense of finality.
The Language of the Poem
One of the most striking aspects of "There Was One" is Parker's use of language. The poem is written in a simple, straightforward style, but the words she chooses are incredibly powerful. For example, the first line of the poem reads, "There was one who sought a new road." This line is deceptively simple, but it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "sought" implies a sense of longing and desperation, while the phrase "new road" suggests a desire for change and adventure.
The second line of the poem reads, "He went into it but straightway it narrowed." This line is particularly effective because of the way Parker uses language to create a sense of claustrophobia and confinement. The word "straightway" suggests a sudden and immediate change, while the word "narrowed" implies a sense of restriction and limitation.
The final line of the first stanza reads, "He tried to turn back but could not find it." This line is particularly poignant because it suggests a sense of hopelessness and despair. The use of the word "tried" implies that the protagonist made an effort to find his way back, but ultimately failed. The phrase "could not find it" suggests a sense of disorientation and confusion, as if the protagonist has lost his way completely.
The second stanza of the poem is equally powerful, with Parker using language to create a sense of finality and resignation. The first line of the stanza reads, "He met a man who asked him the way." This line is significant because it suggests that the protagonist has become lost and disoriented, to the point where he is no longer able to navigate his own path.
The final line of the poem reads, "But he did not know and he could not say." This line is particularly effective because it suggests a sense of resignation and defeat. The use of the word "did not know" implies a sense of ignorance and uncertainty, while the phrase "could not say" suggests a sense of powerlessness and inability to communicate.
The Meaning of the Poem
At its core, "There Was One" is a poem about loneliness and isolation. The protagonist of the poem is on a journey to find a new path, but he quickly becomes lost and disoriented. Despite his best efforts to find his way back, he ultimately fails and becomes resigned to his fate.
The poem is a powerful commentary on the human need for connection and the dangers of isolation. The protagonist's journey represents the struggles that many people face when they feel disconnected from others. The fact that he is unable to find his way back suggests that isolation can be a dangerous and destructive force, leading to feelings of hopelessness and despair.
The final line of the poem, "But he did not know and he could not say," is particularly significant because it suggests that the protagonist has lost his ability to communicate with others. This highlights the importance of connection and communication in our lives, and the dangers of becoming isolated and disconnected from others.
Conclusion
"There Was One" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of loneliness, isolation, and the human need for connection. Through her use of language and structure, Dorothy Parker creates a sense of claustrophobia and despair, highlighting the dangers of becoming lost and disoriented in our lives. Ultimately, the poem serves as a reminder of the importance of connection and communication in our lives, and the dangers of becoming isolated and disconnected from others.
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