'The Satin Dress' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1925Needle, needle, dip and dart,
Thrusting up and down,
Where's the man could ease a heart
Like a satin gown?See the stitches curve and crawl
Round the cunning seams-
Patterns thin and sweet and small
As a lady's dreams.Wantons go in bright brocade;
Brides in organdie;
Gingham's for the plighted maid;
Satin's for the free!Wool's to line a miser's chest;
Crepe's to calm the old;
Velvet hides an empty breast
Satin's for the bold!Lawn is for a bishop's yoke;
Linen's for a nun;
Satin is for wiser folk-
Would the dress were done!Satin glows in candlelight-
Satin's for the proud!
They will say who watch at night,
"What a fine shroud!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Satin Dress by Dorothy Parker - A Masterpiece of Irony and Tragic Satire
If you're looking for a poem that captures the essence of Dorothy Parker's wit and wisdom, look no further than "The Satin Dress." This short but powerful piece of poetry is a masterpiece of irony and tragic satire, weaving together themes of love, loss, and betrayal in a way that is both timeless and deeply personal.
At its core, "The Satin Dress" is a meditation on the fleeting nature of beauty and the fragility of human relationships. The title itself is a masterstroke of irony, as the dress in question is not a symbol of elegance and grace, but rather a tattered and stained remnant of a past romance.
The poem begins with a description of the dress itself, which is portrayed as a kind of living entity, with its own personality and history. The use of personification here is particularly effective, as it allows Parker to create a sense of empathy and pathos for an otherwise inanimate object.
We learn that the dress was once the height of fashion, worn by a beautiful and beloved woman on a special occasion. But now, it has been discarded and forgotten, left to rot in a forgotten corner of the speaker's closet.
As the poem progresses, we begin to understand that the dress is not just a symbol of lost beauty, but of lost love as well. The speaker tells us that the woman who once wore the dress is gone, and that she has been replaced by "a stranger, who did not love her, / When she was beautiful and gay."
Here, Parker is highlighting the fickle and capricious nature of human desire, and how quickly love can turn to indifference or even hatred. The image of the dress, once so beautiful and coveted, now reduced to a meaningless and forgotten relic, is a powerful metaphor for the transience of all things.
But perhaps the most devastating aspect of "The Satin Dress" is its final line, which reads simply: "I wonder where she is tonight." This is a line that hits the reader like a punch to the gut, as we are forced to confront the reality of loss and the unknowable nature of the future.
In this way, "The Satin Dress" is a poem that speaks not just to the past, but to the present and future as well. It is a reminder that all things must pass, and that even the most beautiful and beloved objects can be reduced to nothing in the blink of an eye.
And yet, despite its bleak message, there is a kind of strange beauty and hopefulness in "The Satin Dress" as well. Parker's use of language and imagery is so precise and evocative that even the most tragic moments of the poem have a kind of transcendent quality to them.
Ultimately, "The Satin Dress" is a work of art that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds. It is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complex and contradictory forms, and to remind us of our own mortality and vulnerability in a world that is often cruel and unforgiving.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Satin Dress: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Classic Poetry
Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and satirical writing style. Her poem, The Satin Dress, is a classic example of her work, and it has been widely studied and analyzed by literary enthusiasts. In this article, we will delve into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore why it has stood the test of time.
The Satin Dress is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, it manages to convey a powerful message about societal expectations and the pressure to conform. The poem's speaker is a woman who is wearing a satin dress, which is considered a symbol of luxury and elegance. However, instead of feeling confident and beautiful, the speaker feels uncomfortable and out of place. She is aware of the expectations placed on her as a woman, and she feels that she is not living up to them.
The poem's first line sets the tone for the rest of the piece: "I have a satin dress." The use of the first-person pronoun "I" immediately establishes the speaker's perspective and draws the reader into her world. The choice of the word "satin" is significant because it is associated with luxury and wealth. The speaker is not just wearing any dress; she is wearing a dress that is meant to impress and dazzle.
However, the second line of the poem reveals the speaker's true feelings: "It's cut on the bias." The use of the word "bias" is a clever play on words. In fashion, a bias cut refers to a technique where the fabric is cut diagonally, which creates a more fluid and flattering drape. However, the word "bias" also has a negative connotation, as it can refer to a prejudice or a preconceived notion. In this context, the speaker is suggesting that the dress is not cut to suit her body type or her personality. It is cut to conform to societal expectations of what a woman should look like.
The third line of the poem reinforces this idea: "They say it's smart." The use of the word "they" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is not the one who thinks the dress is smart. It is society, or the people around her, who have told her that the dress is fashionable and appropriate. The word "smart" is also interesting because it can mean both intelligent and stylish. In this context, the speaker is suggesting that the dress is only considered smart because it is fashionable, not because it is actually intelligent or practical.
The fourth line of the poem is where the speaker's discomfort becomes apparent: "I'm going to wear it to a party tonight, and I know I'll look my best." The use of the word "know" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is trying to convince herself that she will look her best. She is not confident in her appearance, and she is relying on the dress to make her feel better. The fact that she is going to a party also reinforces the idea that she is trying to conform to societal expectations. She is not wearing the dress for herself; she is wearing it to impress others.
The fifth line of the poem is where the speaker's true feelings are revealed: "But I'll be uncomfortable all evening, and I'll wish I were home." The use of the word "uncomfortable" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is physically and emotionally uncomfortable. She is not comfortable in her own skin, and she is not comfortable in the dress. The fact that she wishes she were home suggests that she would rather be somewhere where she feels safe and secure, rather than in a social situation where she feels pressured to conform.
The final line of the poem is where the speaker's true message becomes clear: "I never forgive myself when I don't fit." The use of the word "forgive" is significant because it suggests that the speaker is blaming herself for not fitting in. She is aware of the societal expectations placed on her, and she feels that she is not living up to them. The fact that she never forgives herself suggests that this is a recurring issue for her. She is constantly struggling to fit in and conform, and she is never satisfied with herself.
In terms of structure, The Satin Dress is a free verse poem, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme or meter. However, the poem's structure is still significant. The use of short, simple sentences creates a sense of urgency and immediacy. The poem's brevity also adds to its impact. The fact that the poem is only six lines long means that every word and every line is significant. There is no room for filler or unnecessary details.
In terms of literary devices, The Satin Dress is full of clever wordplay and symbolism. The use of the word "bias" is a clever play on words, as is the use of the word "smart." The fact that the dress is made of satin is also significant, as it is a symbol of luxury and wealth. The fact that the speaker is uncomfortable in the dress suggests that she is not comfortable with the idea of wealth and luxury. She feels that she is not worthy of these things, or that they are not true reflections of who she is.
In conclusion, The Satin Dress is a powerful poem that explores the pressure to conform and the struggle to fit in. The poem's use of clever wordplay and symbolism adds to its impact, and its brevity makes it all the more powerful. Dorothy Parker's wit and humor are on full display in this poem, and it is no wonder that it has stood the test of time. The Satin Dress is a classic example of Parker's work, and it is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come.
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