'Wail' by Dorothy Parker


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Enough Rope1926Love has gone a-rocketing.
That is not the worst;
I could do without the thing,
And not be the first.Joy has gone the way it came.
That is nothing new;
I could get along the same, --
Many people do.Dig for me the narrow bed,
Now I am bereft.
All my pretty hates are dead,
And what have I left?

Editor 1 Interpretation

A Lament in Verse: An In-Depth Analysis of Dorothy Parker’s Wail

Dorothy Parker, known for her sharp wit and acerbic observations, was also a poet of great sensitivity and depth. Her poem “Wail” is a testament to this, as she delves into the pain and grief of loss in a way that is both raw and poignant. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at the themes, imagery, and language of “Wail” to understand the meaning behind Parker’s lament in verse.

The Themes of “Wail”

At its core, “Wail” is a poem about grief and mourning. The speaker is consumed by the loss of someone they loved deeply, and their pain is palpable throughout the poem. The theme of loss is also intertwined with the theme of time, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. These themes are universal and timeless, and Parker’s exploration of them in “Wail” speaks to the human experience of loss and grief.

The Imagery of “Wail”

Parker uses vivid and powerful imagery to convey the speaker’s emotions in “Wail”. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for the rest of the piece:

The sea roars up the strand,
The night is dark and drear;
The waves that lash the land
Are whispered in my ear.

The image of the sea roaring up the strand creates a sense of chaos and turmoil, while the darkness and dreariness of the night add to the mood of sadness and despair. The waves that “lash the land” are personified as whispers in the speaker’s ear, emphasizing the intimate connection between the speaker and the natural world.

Later in the poem, Parker uses more concrete images to convey the pain of loss. The line “The heart that breaks for love of you” is a powerful example of this, as it creates a visceral image of a heart literally breaking in two. The image of a broken heart is a common symbol of grief, and Parker uses it effectively to convey the depth of the speaker’s pain.

The Language of “Wail”

Parker’s use of language in “Wail” is both simple and striking. The poem is written in plain language, with no complex metaphors or obscure words. This simplicity allows the emotions of the poem to shine through, without any distractions or obfuscations.

One of the most striking aspects of the language in “Wail” is the repetition of certain words and phrases. The phrase “for love of you” is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the depth of the speaker’s love for the person they have lost. The repetition of the word “wail” in the final stanza is also powerful, as it creates a sense of the speaker’s overwhelming grief and despair.

The Structure of “Wail”

“Wail” is structured as a traditional lyric poem, with four stanzas of four lines each. The consistent structure of the poem creates a sense of order and symmetry, which contrasts with the chaotic and tumultuous emotions expressed by the speaker.

Each stanza of the poem follows a similar pattern. The first two lines set the scene and create a mood of sadness and despair, while the second two lines express the speaker’s emotions in more concrete terms. This structure allows Parker to convey the speaker’s emotional state in a clear and concise manner, without any unnecessary flourishes or distractions.

Conclusion

In “Wail”, Dorothy Parker explores the universal themes of grief and loss in a powerful and poignant way. Through vivid imagery and simple language, she conveys the depth of the speaker’s emotions and creates a sense of intimacy between the speaker and the reader. The poem is a testament to Parker’s skill as a poet, and a powerful reminder of the enduring nature of human emotions.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Wail: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry

Dorothy Parker, a renowned American writer, poet, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her poem, Poetry Wail, is a classic example of her mastery of the art of satire. Published in 1926, the poem is a scathing critique of the state of poetry in the early 20th century. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

The poem begins with the speaker expressing her frustration with the current state of poetry. She laments the fact that poetry has become a commodity, a product to be bought and sold, rather than an art form. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its sarcastic tone and biting commentary:

"Oh, what shall I do with this poem once it is writ? Of what use is it then? The read it and weep, or they smile and forget, And say it is clever, or say it is not."

The speaker is clearly disillusioned with the idea of writing poetry for an audience that does not appreciate it. She questions the value of poetry in a world where it is treated as a commodity, rather than an art form. The use of the word "clever" is particularly telling, as it suggests that poetry has become more about wordplay and cleverness than about genuine emotion or meaning.

The second stanza continues in the same vein, with the speaker mocking the idea of poetry as a form of self-expression:

"Shall I write of love, and the moon up above, And the stars that twinkle so bright? Shall I write of the sea, and the ships that flee, And the sun that shines so white?"

Here, the speaker is poking fun at the cliches of romantic poetry, which often rely on tired metaphors and overused imagery. She is suggesting that writing about love, the moon, and the sea is not a genuine form of self-expression, but rather a way of conforming to the expectations of the audience.

The third stanza takes a more political turn, with the speaker criticizing the way that poetry is used to promote nationalism and patriotism:

"Shall I write of the flag, and the brave who drag It through the dust and the rain? Shall I write of the fight, and the glory bright That follows the victor's train?"

Here, the speaker is questioning the value of poetry that glorifies war and nationalism. She is suggesting that such poetry is not a genuine form of self-expression, but rather a way of promoting a particular political agenda.

The fourth stanza is perhaps the most scathing of all, with the speaker mocking the idea of poetry as a form of spiritual enlightenment:

"Shall I write of the soul, and the great unknown, And the secrets that none can tell? Shall I write of the light, and the mystic night, And the things that are hidden well?"

Here, the speaker is suggesting that poetry that deals with spiritual or mystical themes is often pretentious and meaningless. She is questioning the value of poetry that claims to offer spiritual enlightenment, but in reality, is little more than empty words.

The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker expressing her frustration with the state of poetry:

"Oh, what shall I do with this poem once it is writ? Of what use is it then? The read it and weep, or they smile and forget, And say it is clever, or say it is not."

Here, the speaker is repeating the opening lines of the poem, suggesting that nothing has changed. She is expressing her frustration with the fact that poetry is still treated as a commodity, rather than an art form.

In terms of literary devices, the poem is full of irony, sarcasm, and satire. The speaker uses these devices to mock the cliches of romantic poetry, the nationalism of war poetry, and the pretentiousness of spiritual poetry. The repetition of the opening lines at the end of the poem creates a sense of circularity, suggesting that nothing has changed.

Historically, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the state of poetry in the early 20th century. At this time, poetry was often seen as a form of entertainment, rather than a serious art form. Many poets wrote for popular magazines and newspapers, rather than for literary journals. The poem can also be seen as a critique of the commercialization of art in general, as the speaker laments the fact that poetry has become a commodity to be bought and sold.

In conclusion, Poetry Wail is a masterpiece of satirical poetry. Dorothy Parker's sharp wit and biting commentary make the poem a scathing critique of the state of poetry in the early 20th century. The poem is full of irony, sarcasm, and satire, and uses repetition to create a sense of circularity. Historically, the poem can be seen as a commentary on the commercialization of art in general, as well as the state of poetry in the early 20th century. Overall, Poetry Wail is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today.

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