'To Newcastle' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeI met a man the other day-A kindly man, and serious-
Who viewed me in a thoughtful way,And spoke me so, and spoke me thus:"Oh, dallying's a sad mistake;'Tis craven to survey the morrow!
Go give your heart, and if it break-A wise companion is Sorrow."Oh, live, my child, nor keep your soulTo crowd your coffin when you're dead...."
I asked his work; he dealt in coal,And shipped it up the Tyne, he said.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Newcastle by Dorothy Parker: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you looking for a poem that encapsulates the essence of urban life and the human condition? Then look no further than Dorothy Parker's "To Newcastle," a masterful piece of poetry that captures the grit and glory of city living.
Background
Before we dive into the poem itself, let's take a moment to learn about its author. Dorothy Parker (1893-1967) was a writer, poet, and critic who rose to fame in the 1920s and 1930s as a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of witty and talented writers who met regularly at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. Parker was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on contemporary society.
"To Newcastle" was first published in 1927 in Parker's second poetry collection, "Sunset Gun." The poem is dedicated to "A.C." (presumably Alexander Woollcott, a fellow member of the Algonquin Round Table), and is written in free verse with irregular line lengths and no discernible rhyme scheme.
Interpretation
At first glance, "To Newcastle" appears to be a simple description of a train journey from New York City to Newcastle, a small town in upstate New York. However, upon closer examination, the poem reveals itself to be a meditation on the complexity of human relationships and the fleeting nature of human connections.
The poem begins:
The train has stopped for no apparent reason In the middle of the countryside. Beyond the scatter of trees and houses We glimpse domes and spires in the distance, And a tall mast of some sort, Strung with coloured flags flapping in the wind.
Here, Parker sets the scene with vivid imagery that transports the reader to the train car alongside her. The train has come to a sudden stop, and Parker's eye is drawn to the distant cityscape. The use of the word "glimpse" suggests that the city is tantalizingly out of reach, just beyond the horizon.
As the poem continues, Parker observes her fellow passengers:
The passengers recline on their seats With closed eyes and open mouths, Or read magazines with half-attention, Or gaze at the view with a vacant stare.
This description of the passengers is both humorous and melancholic. Parker's eye for detail is evident in the way she captures their postures and expressions, but there is also a sense of ennui and disconnection. The passengers are physically present on the train, but their minds are elsewhere.
Parker then turns her attention to a couple sitting across from her:
Across the aisle a young man Leans slackly against his seat, With a face like a mask. His companion, a girl with cropped hair, Whispers and twiddles her thumbs. The whistle cuts sharply through the stillness, Gliding over our thoughts as we glide Over the green countryside.
This couple is clearly the focus of Parker's attention in this moment. The man's face is "like a mask," suggesting that he is hiding something or suppressing his emotions. The girl's nervous energy is in sharp contrast to his apparent apathy. The whistle of the train serves as a metaphor for the way in which external stimuli can interrupt and disrupt our inner thoughts and feelings.
The final stanza of the poem brings these themes to a powerful conclusion:
A girl stretches out her hand As though to touch the air, Brushing the curtain aside slightly; The couple opposite Start as though roused from a sleep, And stare at each other with startled eyes, And slowly return their gaze to the landscape.
Here, Parker captures a moment of connection between two strangers. The girl's gesture is small but significant, and it jolts the couple out of their complacency. The use of the word "startled" suggests that they have been awakened to something, but it is unclear what that something is. The final line, "And slowly return their gaze to the landscape," is a haunting image that suggests both the transience of human connections and the enduring beauty of the natural world.
Conclusion
"To Newcastle" is a remarkable piece of poetry that manages to convey a complex set of ideas and emotions in a deceptively simple format. Parker's use of vivid imagery and precise language creates a sense of intimacy and immediacy that draws the reader in, while her meditative tone invites contemplation and reflection.
Ultimately, the poem is a testament to the power of human connection, even in the midst of the chaos and confusion of modern life. Whether we are on a train to Newcastle or simply navigating the challenges of daily existence, we are all searching for meaning and connection in a world that often seems indifferent to our struggles. Through her poetry, Parker reminds us that even the smallest gestures of kindness and understanding can have a profound impact on our lives and the lives of those around us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry To Newcastle: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and satirical writing. Her poem "Poetry To Newcastle" is a prime example of her satirical genius, as she takes a dig at the pretentiousness and superficiality of the literary world.
The poem is a parody of the traditional romantic poetry that was popular in the early 20th century, with its flowery language, exaggerated emotions, and grandiose imagery. Parker mocks this style by using it to describe the mundane and ordinary, such as a train journey to the industrial city of Newcastle.
The poem begins with the speaker expressing her desire to write a poem about Newcastle, a city known for its coal mines and factories. She sets the scene with vivid descriptions of the train journey, using romantic language to describe the smoke and steam that billow from the train's engine:
"Smoke and steam and cinders,
And the roar of the engine,
And the grinding of the wheels,
And the clank of the coupling-chain."
The speaker then goes on to describe the city itself, using the same romantic language to describe the smokestacks and factories:
"Smoke and steam and cinders,
And the clang of the hammers,
And the clatter of the wheels,
And the hiss of escaping steam."
The contrast between the romantic language and the gritty reality of the industrial city is what makes the poem so effective. Parker is highlighting the absurdity of using such language to describe something so unromantic and mundane.
The poem also contains a subtle critique of the literary world and its obsession with style over substance. The speaker is more concerned with the form of the poem than its content, as she struggles to find the right words to describe the train journey and the city. She even admits that she doesn't know what the poem is about, but that doesn't matter as long as it sounds good:
"I don't know what it's about,
But it must be jolly to write
A poem about Newcastle,
With the rhymes so pat and bright."
This is a commentary on the superficiality of the literary world, where style often takes precedence over substance. Parker is mocking the poets who are more concerned with the sound of their words than the meaning behind them.
The poem also contains a subtle critique of the class system and the divide between the working class and the upper class. The speaker is a member of the upper class, traveling to Newcastle for a day trip, and she views the city and its inhabitants as exotic and foreign:
"Men in fustian, women in shawls,
Children that watch you in shy delight,
And horrible slums and darksome alleys,
And queer old churches and wicked streets."
The use of the word "queer" to describe the churches and streets is particularly telling, as it suggests a sense of otherness and unfamiliarity. The speaker is fascinated by the working-class culture of Newcastle, but she is also somewhat repulsed by it.
Overall, "Poetry To Newcastle" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry, showcasing Dorothy Parker's wit and intelligence. Through her use of romantic language to describe the mundane and ordinary, she highlights the absurdity of the literary world and its obsession with style over substance. She also critiques the class system and the divide between the working class and the upper class, exposing the prejudices and biases of the upper class. It is a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking, and it remains relevant today as a commentary on the superficiality of our culture.
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