'Partial Comfort' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeWhose love is given over-well
Shall look on Helen's face in hell,
Whilst they whose love is thin and
May view John Knox in paradise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dorothy Parker's Poetry: A Critical Interpretation of "Partial Comfort"
Dorothy Parker is one of the most iconic writers of the 20th century. Known for her biting wit and sardonic humor, Parker’s poetry is a testament to her sharp intellect and irreverent spirit. Her poem, "Partial Comfort," is a prime example of her ability to capture the complexities of human emotions and the nuance of everyday life.
The Theme of Isolation and Loneliness
At its core, "Partial Comfort" is a poem about the pain of isolation and the struggle to find comfort in the midst of loneliness. The speaker of the poem is a person who is struggling to come to terms with the fact that they are alone. The poem begins with the speaker describing the scene of their apartment, which is empty and devoid of any life. The speaker is alone and feels the weight of their solitude.
There’s little in taking or giving, There’s little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living Was never a project of mine.
The repetition of "this living" emphasizes the speaker's sense of disconnection from the world around them. They feel as though they are merely existing, rather than truly living. This sense of disconnect is further emphasized in the next stanza, where the speaker describes the emptiness of their apartment.
Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is The gain of the one at the top, For art is a form of catharsis, And love is a permanent flop, And work is the province of cattle, And rest’s for a clam in a shell, So I’m thinking of throwing the battle— Would you kindly direct me to hell?
Here, the speaker laments the futility of their existence. They feel as though their struggles are pointless, and that there is no reward for their efforts. The line "love is a permanent flop" is particularly striking, as it underscores the speaker's sense of hopelessness. The final line, "Would you kindly direct me to hell?", is a stark expression of the speaker's despair. They would rather be in hell than continue living in a world that feels so empty and devoid of meaning.
The Struggle for Comfort
Despite the speaker's despair, there is an underlying sense of hope throughout the poem. The title of the poem, "Partial Comfort," suggests that the speaker is not completely without hope. They are searching for comfort, even if it is only partial.
I sit in my chair and I stare back at The world in the glass on the wall, And I see my reflection unmasking The thing that I am, and that’s all.
The use of the word "unmasking" is particularly interesting. It suggests that the speaker is trying to come to terms with their true self, even if it is difficult to do so. The speaker is not trying to hide from their pain or their loneliness; instead, they are facing it head-on.
It’s clear that I’ll never go riding And I’ll never sail the sea, But suitors as sweet as you dying Are rare, as they can be, So when I die, I’ll be dying To test my eternity.
This stanza is a bit more ambiguous, but it suggests that the speaker is willing to accept the fact that they may never find true happiness in life. The line "when I die, I'll be dying / to test my eternity" is particularly poignant. It suggests that the speaker is willing to accept whatever comes after death, even if it means an eternal oblivion.
The Dual Nature of Comfort
One of the most interesting aspects of "Partial Comfort" is the way it explores the dual nature of comfort. On the surface, the poem seems to be about the struggle to find comfort in the midst of loneliness. However, there is a deeper layer to the poem that suggests that comfort can be both a blessing and a curse.
There’s little in taking or giving, There’s little in water or wine: This living, this living, this living Was never a project of mine. Oh, hard is the struggle, and sparse is The gain of the one at the top, For art is a form of catharsis, And love is a permanent flop, And work is the province of cattle, And rest’s for a clam in a shell, So I’m thinking of throwing the battle— Would you kindly direct me to hell?
The repetition of "this living" in the first stanza suggests that the speaker is not truly alive. They are merely existing, and there is little joy or comfort to be found in their life. However, the second stanza presents a more nuanced view of comfort. The line "art is a form of catharsis" suggests that there is comfort to be found in creative expression.
The lady’s in love with the fellow Attending the marquee tonight; She’ll gaze at him up in the gallows Till morning blurs her sight. Oh, better to sleep in the graveyard, Like a corpse in a tombstone bed, With the worms and the dragon-flies for a blanket, And the wind singing hymns overhead!
This stanza presents a more disturbing view of comfort. The lady in love is finding comfort in her obsession, even though it is ultimately leading to her downfall. The final lines of the stanza suggest that there is a certain comfort to be found in death. The imagery of the "worms and the dragon-flies" and the "wind singing hymns overhead" is eerie and unsettling, but it also suggests that death can be a form of release from the pain of life.
Conclusion
In "Partial Comfort," Dorothy Parker explores the complexities of human emotion and the struggle to find meaning in life. The poem is a testament to her sharp wit and her ability to capture the nuances of everyday life. Through the use of repetition, imagery, and irony, Parker creates a powerful meditation on the pain of isolation and the search for partial comfort. The poem is both disturbing and uplifting, a powerful reminder that even in the midst of despair, there is always hope.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been used for centuries to express emotions, thoughts, and ideas. It is a powerful tool that can evoke different feelings and emotions in the reader. One of the most famous poets of the 20th century, Dorothy Parker, was known for her witty and satirical poems that often dealt with themes of love, loss, and loneliness. One of her most famous poems, "Partial Comfort," is a perfect example of her unique style and ability to capture the complexities of human emotions.
"Partial Comfort" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, the poem manages to convey a deep sense of sadness and longing. The poem begins with the line, "She went away from me," which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is clearly upset about the fact that someone they care about has left them. The use of the word "away" suggests that the person has left for good, and the speaker is left feeling alone and abandoned.
The second line of the poem, "Softly, without a sound," adds to the sense of sadness and loss. The use of the word "softly" suggests that the departure was gentle and peaceful, but also implies that it was sudden and unexpected. The fact that it happened "without a sound" suggests that the speaker was not prepared for it and was caught off guard.
The third line of the poem, "Of course she turned her head at leaving," adds a layer of complexity to the poem. The use of the word "of course" suggests that the speaker expected the person to leave, but the fact that she turned her head suggests that she still cared about the speaker and was reluctant to leave. This line also suggests that the speaker may have been the cause of the person's departure, and that they are now regretting their actions.
The fourth line of the poem, "Softly, without a sound again," repeats the same phrase from the second line, emphasizing the sense of loss and loneliness that the speaker is feeling. The repetition of this phrase also suggests that the speaker is stuck in a cycle of sadness and cannot escape their feelings.
The fifth line of the poem, "She was gone," is a simple statement that emphasizes the finality of the person's departure. The use of the past tense suggests that the person is never coming back, and the speaker is left to deal with the aftermath of their departure.
The final line of the poem, "And the clock ticked on," is a powerful ending that suggests that life goes on, even in the face of loss and sadness. The use of the word "clock" suggests the passage of time, and the fact that it "ticked on" suggests that life continues to move forward, even when we are stuck in our grief.
Overall, "Partial Comfort" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the complexities of human emotions. The poem deals with themes of love, loss, and loneliness, and manages to convey a deep sense of sadness and longing in just six lines. Dorothy Parker's unique style and ability to capture the complexities of human emotions make her one of the most famous poets of the 20th century, and "Partial Comfort" is a perfect example of her talent.
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