'Prayer For A Prayer' by Dorothy Parker


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Death and Taxes1931Dearest one, when I am deadNever seek to follow me.Never mount the quiet hillWhere the copper leaves are still,As my heart is, on the tree
Standing at my narrow bed.Only of your tenderness,Pray a little prayer at night.Say: "I have forgiven now-I, so weak and sad; O Thou,Wreathed in thunder, robed in light,
Surely Thou wilt do no less."

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Prayer For A Prayer: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Wow, what a poem! Dorothy Parker's "Prayer for a Prayer" is a literary masterpiece that captures the essence of human struggle and spirituality. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's themes, symbols, and literary devices to fully appreciate its beauty and significance.

Context

Firstly, let's consider the context in which the poem was written. Dorothy Parker was a prolific writer and poet who lived through some of the most tumultuous periods in American history. Born in 1893, she experienced the First World War, the roaring twenties, the Great Depression, and the Second World War. Her writing reflects the social and political upheavals of her time, as well as her own personal struggles with alcoholism, depression, and failed relationships.

"Prayer for a Prayer" was published in 1944, during the height of the Second World War. The poem's themes of despair, hopelessness, and the search for meaning in life resonate with the anxieties of the time. The poem is also deeply personal, reflecting the poet's own struggles with faith and spirituality.

Themes

The poem explores several themes that are central to human existence. The first theme is the search for meaning in life. The poet begins by lamenting her lack of faith and her inability to find comfort in religion:

Oh, God, the terrible Minds are blank When they come to the Supreme Intelligence, The Highest Wisdom, the All-Father of the World.

The poet is grappling with the age-old question of why bad things happen to good people, and why the world is full of suffering and injustice. She is looking for answers, but her mind is blank, and she feels lost and alone.

The second theme is the power of prayer. Despite her doubts and fears, the poet realizes that prayer can be a source of comfort and strength:

But, God, do not be far off. With the hollow Sound of my Prayer I will chisel a monument To Courage.

The act of prayer itself is a kind of monument to courage, a testament to the human spirit's resilience and determination. The poet is using prayer as a way to channel her emotions and find some semblance of meaning in a chaotic world.

The third theme is the fragility of human life. The poet is keenly aware of her mortality and the fleeting nature of existence:

Inevitable As the sunset Are the moments Of our days.

The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting, and that we should cherish every moment of it. It is also an acknowledgment that death is inevitable, and that we should make the most of the time we have.

Symbols

The poem contains several symbols that add depth and meaning to the text. The first symbol is the "terrible Minds" that are mentioned in the opening stanza. These "minds" are a symbol of the human condition, which is marked by doubt, confusion, and fear. The fact that they are "terrible" suggests that the poet sees these qualities as negative, something to be overcome.

The second symbol is the act of prayer itself. Prayer is a symbol of hope, faith, and resilience in the face of adversity. The poet uses prayer as a way to channel her emotions and find meaning in a chaotic world.

The third symbol is the "monument to Courage" that the poet promises to create with the "hollow sound of my prayer." This monument is a symbol of the poet's determination to overcome her doubts and fears, and to find the courage to face whatever comes her way.

Literary Devices

The poem contains several literary devices that contribute to its beauty and power. The first device is repetition. The repeated use of "Oh, God" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of urgency and desperation. It also emphasizes the poet's need for guidance and support.

The second device is imagery. The poet uses vivid and evocative imagery throughout the poem to convey her emotions and thoughts. For example, the line "With the hollow sound of my prayer, I will chisel a monument to Courage" creates a powerful image of the poet using her prayer as a sculptor uses a chisel to shape stone.

The third device is personification. The poet personifies the "terrible Minds" in the opening stanza, giving them a sense of agency and power. This personification adds depth and complexity to the poem, and it helps to underscore the theme of human struggle.

Interpretation

So, what does it all mean? "Prayer for a Prayer" is a deeply personal and intimate poem that speaks to the human condition in all its complexity. The poem is a reflection of the poet's own struggles with faith and spirituality, but it is also a universal statement about the human search for meaning and purpose.

The poem suggests that prayer can be a source of comfort and strength, even in the darkest of times. It also acknowledges the fragility of human life and the inevitability of death. The poet is not offering any easy answers or solutions, but she is offering a way to cope with the hardships of life.

Ultimately, "Prayer for a Prayer" is a testament to the resilience and determination of the human spirit. It is a reminder that even in the face of adversity, we can find the courage to carry on. The poem is a celebration of the human capacity for hope, faith, and love, and it is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to illuminate the human soul.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Prayer for a Prayer" is a beautiful and powerful poem that speaks to the human experience in all its complexity. Through its themes, symbols, and literary devices, the poem offers a profound meditation on the human search for meaning and purpose. It is a reminder that even in the darkest of times, we can find the courage to carry on, and that poetry can be a source of comfort and inspiration. Thank you, Dorothy Parker, for this gift to the world!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Prayer For A Prayer: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Masterpiece

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations of human nature. Her works have been celebrated for their cleverness, irony, and emotional depth. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Prayer For A Prayer," is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggle of the artist to find inspiration and meaning in their work.

The poem begins with a simple request: "Oh, let me make a poem, a poem full of rhyme." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the speaker's desire to create something beautiful and meaningful. The use of the word "let" suggests that the speaker is asking for permission or assistance, perhaps from a higher power or muse, to achieve this goal.

The next few lines of the poem describe the speaker's struggle to find inspiration and the right words to express their thoughts and emotions. "Let me find the magic word, and pin it down with grace," the speaker pleads, highlighting the difficulty of capturing the elusive essence of creativity. The use of the word "magic" suggests that the speaker sees poetry as a mystical and powerful force that can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more desperate and frustrated in their quest for inspiration. "Let me catch the cadence that will sing me through to space," they implore, emphasizing the importance of rhythm and musicality in poetry. The use of the word "cadence" suggests that the speaker is searching for a specific pattern or flow of words that will elevate their work to a higher level.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful and poignant. "Let me make a poem, a poem full of light," the speaker declares, expressing their desire to create something that will illuminate the darkness and bring hope and joy to the world. The use of the word "light" suggests that the speaker sees poetry as a beacon of hope and inspiration in a world that can often be dark and bleak.

Overall, "Poetry Prayer For A Prayer" is a masterful work of modern poetry that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggle of the artist to find inspiration and meaning in their work. Through its use of vivid imagery, musical language, and emotional depth, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of seeking to create something beautiful and meaningful in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of repetition and rhyme. The repeated use of the phrase "let me" creates a sense of urgency and desperation, as the speaker pleads for assistance in their quest for inspiration. The use of rhyme, particularly in the first and last stanzas, gives the poem a musical quality that reinforces its theme of the importance of rhythm and cadence in poetry.

Another notable feature of the poem is its use of metaphor and imagery. The speaker compares poetry to a "magic word" that must be "pinned down with grace," highlighting the difficulty of capturing the elusive essence of creativity. The use of the word "magic" suggests that poetry is a mystical and powerful force that can transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. The image of the speaker being "sung through to space" emphasizes the transcendent quality of poetry, as it can lift the artist and the reader to a higher level of understanding and awareness.

The final stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as the speaker expresses their desire to create something that will bring light and hope to the world. The use of the word "light" suggests that poetry has the power to illuminate the darkness and bring joy and inspiration to those who read it. This theme of the transformative power of poetry is a recurring motif in Parker's work, and it speaks to the universal human desire to find meaning and purpose in life.

In conclusion, "Poetry Prayer For A Prayer" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggle of the artist to find inspiration and meaning in their work. Through its use of vivid imagery, musical language, and emotional depth, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of seeking to create something beautiful and meaningful in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving. Dorothy Parker's legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century is secure, and "Poetry Prayer For A Prayer" stands as a testament to her talent and insight as a writer.

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