'The Burned Child' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1925Love has had his way with me.This my heart is torn and maimed
Since he took his play with me.Cruel well the bow-boy aimed,Shot, and saw the feathered shaftDripping bright and bitter red.
He that shrugged his wings and laughed-Better had he left me dead.Sweet, why do you plead me, then,Who have bled so sore of that?
Could I bear it once again? . . .Drop a hat, dear, drop a hat!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "The Burned Child" by Dorothy Parker
Oh, how exciting it is to delve into the world of Dorothy Parker's poetry! And today, we will be exploring one of her most famous works, "The Burned Child." This poem is a perfect example of Parker's wit and skill in crafting biting and memorable lines.
Overview of the Poem
"The Burned Child" is a short poem, consisting of just six lines. Despite its brevity, it manages to convey a powerful message about the dangers of temptation and the consequences of giving into it. Here is the poem in its entirety:
"Out of a fired ship, which by no way
But drowning could be rescued from the flame,
Some men leap'd forth, and ever as they came
Near the foes' ships, did by their shot decay;
So all were lost, which in the ship were found,
They in the sea being burnt, they in the burnt ship drown'd."
At first glance, the poem may seem somewhat obscure and difficult to understand. However, with a closer reading, its meaning becomes clear.
Interpretation of the Poem
The poem tells the story of a group of men who are stranded on a burning ship. The only way to escape the flames is to jump into the sea. However, as they swim towards safety, they are met with enemy fire and are ultimately killed. The poem is a metaphor for the dangers of temptation. Just as the men on the burning ship were tempted to jump into the sea for safety, only to meet their demise, people who give in to temptation will often find that it leads them to destruction.
The poem's title, "The Burned Child," is also significant. It is a reference to the proverb "A burned child dreads the fire," which means that someone who has suffered the consequences of a particular action will be more cautious in the future. In this case, the burned child is a metaphor for someone who has given into temptation and suffered the consequences, and who now understands the dangers of doing so.
Analysis of the Poem
One of the most striking things about "The Burned Child" is its use of language. Parker employs a number of literary devices to create a vivid and memorable image. For example, the opening line, "Out of a fired ship, which by no way," uses a paradox to create a sense of tension and urgency. The idea of a ship being on fire and yet unable to be rescued is a powerful and evocative image.
Parker also uses imagery to great effect in the poem. The image of the men jumping from the burning ship and swimming towards safety, only to be met with enemy fire, is a powerful one. It creates a sense of desperation and futility that perfectly captures the idea of giving into temptation and suffering the consequences.
The poem's structure is also significant. The use of iambic pentameter gives the poem a sense of rhythm and flow. The rhyme scheme of ABABCC creates a sense of unity and cohesion, with the final couplet bringing the poem to a satisfying conclusion.
Themes and Motifs
"The Burned Child" touches on a number of themes and motifs that are common in Parker's work. These include:
Temptation and Consequences
As discussed above, the poem is a metaphor for the dangers of temptation and the consequences of giving into it. This is a theme that Parker returns to often in her work. She was well aware of the dangers of giving into temptation and the toll it could take on a person's life.
Irony
Parker was known for her use of irony and sarcasm, and "The Burned Child" is no exception. The irony of the men jumping into the sea for safety, only to find themselves met with enemy fire, perfectly captures the idea of temptation leading to destruction.
Death and Loss
The poem's somber tone and focus on death and loss is a recurring theme in Parker's work. She was deeply affected by the losses she experienced in her own life, and this often found its way into her poetry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Burned Child" is a powerful and evocative poem that perfectly captures the dangers of temptation and the consequences of giving into it. Parker's use of language, imagery, and structure creates a vivid and memorable image that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading.
So, what did you think of this analysis? Did it help you appreciate Parker's work more fully? I hope so! It's always a joy to explore the work of such a talented writer, and "The Burned Child" is a true gem of a poem.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Burned Child: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm
Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, was known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and dark humor. Her poem "The Burned Child" is a perfect example of her unique style, which combines irony, cynicism, and a touch of melancholy. In this 16-line poem, Parker tells a story of a child who is burned and the reactions of the people around him. However, the poem is not just a simple narrative; it is a complex commentary on human nature, society, and the fragility of life.
The poem begins with a simple statement: "When I was in my mother's womb, / I heard a great noise overhead." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of dark and ominous imagery. The noise that the speaker hears is not explained, but it creates a sense of foreboding and danger. The next line, "And I wondered if my mother / Was going to be burned or dead," introduces the theme of death and the fear of it. The speaker is not yet born, but already aware of the possibility of death.
The second stanza introduces the main character of the poem, the burned child. The child is described as "a little thing of woe," which immediately evokes sympathy from the reader. The child's injuries are described in graphic detail: "His eyes were sealed, his lips apart, / And his little head was white with bandages." The use of the word "little" emphasizes the child's vulnerability and helplessness. The image of the bandages also suggests the child's fragility and the need for protection.
The third stanza introduces the other characters in the poem, the people who come to see the burned child. The first person mentioned is the doctor, who is described as "a man of middle age." The use of the phrase "middle age" suggests that the doctor is experienced and knowledgeable, but also implies that he is somewhat jaded and cynical. The doctor's reaction to the burned child is not one of sympathy or concern, but rather of curiosity: "He said, 'It's going to be touch and go; / But I'll save him, if I can.'" The doctor's statement is ironic, as it suggests that the child's fate is in his hands, but also implies that he is not particularly invested in the outcome.
The next character introduced is the nurse, who is described as "a woman with a kindly face." Unlike the doctor, the nurse is portrayed as caring and compassionate. She is the one who takes care of the burned child, changing his bandages and comforting him. However, even the nurse's actions are tinged with irony, as she is described as "singing a little song / That was like a sob." The juxtaposition of the nurse's kindness and the sad song she sings creates a sense of melancholy and sadness.
The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most ironic of all. The speaker describes how the people who come to see the burned child are not really interested in him, but rather in the drama and excitement of the situation. The speaker says, "They came and looked at the little boy; / They came and looked at me." The use of the word "me" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker is also a victim of the situation. The speaker is not just an observer, but also a participant in the drama.
The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful: "And the doctor said, 'Look at her gums, / And her eyes are clear as can be!' / And the nurse said, 'She'll do all right / If she'll only let her mother be!'" These lines are full of irony and sarcasm. The doctor and nurse are not talking about the burned child, but rather about the speaker, who is still in her mother's womb. The doctor's comment about the speaker's gums and eyes is absurd, as it has nothing to do with the situation at hand. The nurse's comment is also ironic, as it suggests that the speaker's fate is in her own hands, when in fact she is not even born yet.
In conclusion, "The Burned Child" is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm. Through the story of a burned child and the reactions of the people around him, Dorothy Parker creates a complex commentary on human nature, society, and the fragility of life. The poem is full of dark and ominous imagery, but also contains moments of compassion and kindness. The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful, as they reveal the true nature of the people who come to see the burned child. Overall, "The Burned Child" is a haunting and unforgettable poem that showcases Dorothy Parker's unique style and voice.
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