'Unfortunate Coincidence' by Dorothy Parker


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By the time you swear you're his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying -
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Unfortunate Coincidence: A Masterpiece in Satirical Poetry

When it comes to satirical poetry, few can match the wit and humor of Dorothy Parker. Her poem "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a prime example of her talent for using irony and sarcasm to poke fun at the absurdities of human existence. In this 16-line poem, Parker manages to convey a complex message about love, life, and the universe in a way that is both humorous and thought-provoking.

The Plot

The poem is about a man who dies in a car accident just as his lover is about to break up with him. The coincidence of his death and her decision to leave him is seen by some as evidence of the cruel and random nature of the universe. However, Parker's poem suggests that there is a deeper meaning to this coincidence, one that reflects the absurdities of human life and the futility of trying to find meaning in a chaotic world.

The Structure

The poem is structured in four stanzas of four lines each. The first three stanzas describe the events leading up to the man's death and the woman's decision to leave him. The final stanza concludes the poem with a sardonic comment on the nature of the universe.

The Language

Parker's use of language is masterful in this poem. She employs a variety of literary devices, including irony, sarcasm, and paradox, to convey her message. The poem is full of clever wordplay and unexpected twists of phrase that keep the reader engaged and entertained.

For example, the first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come: "By the time you swear you're his, / Shivering and sighing, / And he vows his passion is / Infinite, undying—" The use of the word "swear" implies a certain level of commitment and certainty, yet the rest of the line suggests that this commitment is fleeting and temporary. The use of the present tense ("shivering and sighing") adds a sense of immediacy and urgency to the poem.

Similarly, the second stanza contains a paradoxical statement that highlights the absurdity of the situation: "You remember, too, with his first kiss / When he pledged to love you forever." The use of the word "remember" suggests that this event happened in the past, yet the use of the present tense in the second half of the line ("when he pledged") implies that it is an ongoing commitment. This contradiction underscores the fleeting nature of human relationships and the futility of trying to find lasting meaning in them.

The Theme

At its core, "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a meditation on the absurdity of human existence. The poem suggests that life is full of random and meaningless events, and that trying to find order and meaning in this chaos is a fool's errand. The coincidence of the man's death and the woman's decision to leave him is a perfect example of this absurdity. These events are not connected in any meaningful way, yet they are seen by some as evidence of a cruel and uncaring universe.

In contrast, Parker suggests that this coincidence is actually a sign of the inherent meaninglessness of human life. The universe is indifferent to our struggles and our desires, and there is no higher power or purpose to guide us. The poem's final line, "Oh, the there was a mistake! / 'Tis long, too long, for one / To have been kissed, and then be nothing," is a poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of human existence and the inevitability of death.

The Interpretation

"Unfortunate Coincidence" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that manages to convey a complex message about love, life, and the universe in just 16 lines. Parker's use of language is masterful, and her message is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. The poem challenges us to confront the absurdity of our existence and to find meaning in the face of uncertainty and chaos. It is a powerful reminder that life is short, and that we should make the most of the time we have.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Unfortunate Coincidence: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm

Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century, was known for her wit, humor, and satire. Her works, including poetry, short stories, and essays, often dealt with the complexities of human relationships, the absurdities of society, and the struggles of women in a male-dominated world. Among her most famous poems is "Unfortunate Coincidence," a short but powerful piece that showcases Parker's mastery of irony and sarcasm.

The poem, which consists of only four lines, tells the story of a man who accidentally kills his lover while trying to shoot himself. Here is the full text of the poem:

By the time you swear you're his, Shivering and sighing, And he vows his passion is Infinite, undying -

Lady, make a note of this: One of you is lying.

At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward, but a closer analysis reveals its depth and complexity. Parker uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message, including irony, sarcasm, paradox, and ambiguity. Let's take a closer look at each of these elements and how they contribute to the poem's meaning.

Irony

Irony is a literary device that involves a contrast between what is expected and what actually happens. In "Unfortunate Coincidence," Parker uses irony to highlight the absurdity of the situation. The man in the poem intends to kill himself, but instead, he ends up killing his lover. This unexpected twist is ironic because it is the opposite of what the reader would expect to happen. Moreover, the fact that the man's passion for his lover is "infinite, undying" adds another layer of irony, as his actions prove that his love was not as strong as he claimed it to be.

Sarcasm

Sarcasm is a form of verbal irony that involves saying the opposite of what is meant in order to mock or criticize something or someone. Parker's use of sarcasm in "Unfortunate Coincidence" is evident in the final line of the poem: "One of you is lying." This line is sarcastic because it implies that both the man and the woman were lying about their feelings for each other. By using this sarcastic tone, Parker is suggesting that love and passion are often insincere and that people are not always honest about their emotions.

Paradox

A paradox is a statement that appears to be self-contradictory but may actually be true. In "Unfortunate Coincidence," Parker uses a paradox to emphasize the futility of the man's actions. The fact that he kills his lover while trying to kill himself is a paradox because it suggests that his desire to end his own life was not as strong as his desire to end his relationship with his lover. This paradoxical situation highlights the irrationality of human behavior and the unpredictability of life.

Ambiguity

Ambiguity is a literary device that involves the use of language that can be interpreted in more than one way. In "Unfortunate Coincidence," Parker uses ambiguity to create a sense of uncertainty and mystery. The poem does not provide any details about the man, the woman, or the circumstances surrounding their relationship. This lack of information leaves the reader to speculate about what might have led the man to attempt suicide and why he ended up killing his lover instead. This ambiguity adds to the poem's overall impact by allowing the reader to imagine different scenarios and draw their own conclusions.

Overall, "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm that showcases Dorothy Parker's wit and skill as a poet. Through her use of literary devices such as irony, sarcasm, paradox, and ambiguity, Parker creates a powerful and thought-provoking poem that challenges our assumptions about love, passion, and human behavior. Despite its brevity, "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a poem that lingers in the mind long after it has been read, a testament to Parker's enduring legacy as a writer.

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