'Midnight' by Dorothy Parker


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Death and Taxes1931The stars are soft as flowers, and as near;The hills are webs of shadow, slowly spun;
No separate leaf or single blade is here-All blend to one.No moonbeam cuts the air; a sapphire lightRolls lazily. and slips again to rest.
There is no edged thing in all this night,Save in my breast.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Literary Criticism and Interpretation of "Midnight" by Dorothy Parker

Oh, how exciting! We are diving into the world of Dorothy Parker's poetry with her classic piece, "Midnight." This poem is a perfect example of Parker's wit and dark humor, but it also delves into deeper themes such as loneliness and the human experience.

The Poem

"Midnight" is a short, four-line poem that packs a punch. Here is the poem in full:

The moon is a charring ember
Whose pallor is the smother of dreams
The sky burns, and the night is a cinder
That only your spark can redeem.

Analysis

The Moon and the Sky

The first line of "Midnight" immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Parker compares the moon to a "charring ember," which suggests decay and destruction. The moon is often associated with light and beauty, but Parker flips this notion on its head by portraying the moon as something that is burning out. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the human experience. We all have moments in our lives where we feel like we are burning out or losing our light.

The second line of the poem is equally as powerful. Parker writes, "Whose pallor is the smother of dreams." Here, the moon's lack of light is presented as a force that suffocates dreams. Dreams are often associated with hope and ambition, so by suggesting that the moon is smothering them, Parker is highlighting the idea that our hopes and dreams are often dashed by the realities of life.

The third line of the poem is where things get really interesting. Parker writes, "The sky burns, and the night is a cinder." Here, the sky is personified as something that is burning up. This could be interpreted as a metaphor for the chaos and destruction that can often accompany life. The "night as a cinder" suggests that everything is being reduced to ash or rubble.

Redemption

But all is not lost. In the final line of the poem, Parker writes, "That only your spark can redeem." Here, Parker suggests that there is hope for redemption, but it can only come from within ourselves. The "spark" that Parker refers to could be interpreted as our inner strength or resilience. It is only through tapping into this inner spark that we can redeem ourselves and find meaning in the chaos and destruction of life.

Themes

Loneliness

One of the most prominent themes in "Midnight" is loneliness. The idea of the moon and the sky burning out suggests a sense of isolation and emptiness. The fact that our spark is the only thing that can redeem us highlights the idea that we are ultimately alone in our struggles. This is a theme that runs throughout much of Parker's work and is perhaps a reflection of her own experiences with depression and alcoholism.

Redemption

Another theme that is present in "Midnight" is that of redemption. The idea that our inner spark is the only thing that can redeem us suggests that we all have the ability to overcome our struggles and find meaning in our lives. This is a powerful message and one that can be seen as a source of hope for anyone who is struggling.

Human Experience

Finally, "Midnight" touches on the broader theme of the human experience. The idea that we all have moments where we feel like our light is burning out or that our dreams are being suffocated is a universal one. Parker taps into this idea and presents it in a way that is both poignant and relatable.

Conclusion

"Midnight" is a powerful poem that touches on some of the most universal themes in life. Through her use of metaphor and personification, Parker presents a bleak picture of the world but also offers a glimmer of hope. This message of redemption and resilience is one that is relevant today, just as much as it was when Parker wrote this poem almost a century ago.

So, what did you think? Did you find "Midnight" as powerful as I did? Let me know in the comments!

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Midnight: A Timeless Classic by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and satirical writing style. Her poem "Poetry Midnight" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of the creative process and the struggles that come with it. In this 2000-word analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and literary devices, and explore why it has stood the test of time.

The poem "Poetry Midnight" was first published in 1926 in the collection "Enough Rope." The title itself is intriguing, as it suggests a time of day when most people are asleep, but poets are awake, creating their art. The poem is a reflection on the creative process and the challenges that come with it. It is a conversation between the poet and her muse, who is personified as a "little ghost-girl."

The poem begins with the poet addressing her muse, asking her to come closer and help her write. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the poet expresses her frustration with the creative process. She says, "Oh, sober night / Beneath thy sober pall / The maddest of us all / Picks jewels from the sky / And from the flowers on the wall." The use of the word "sober" suggests a sense of seriousness and sobriety, which contrasts with the idea of creativity and madness. The poet is acknowledging that creativity often comes from a place of madness or chaos, but she is struggling to tap into that energy.

The second stanza continues the theme of frustration, as the poet says, "The little ghost-girl sits / And writes upon her knees / She makes a blotchy line / And says she's "writing Chinese." The use of the word "blotchy" suggests that the poet is struggling to write something coherent, and the ghost-girl's attempt to write Chinese is a metaphor for the difficulty of expressing oneself in a foreign language. The poet is struggling to find the right words to express her thoughts and emotions.

The third stanza is a turning point in the poem, as the poet begins to find inspiration. She says, "She makes a line of stars / And then a line of cars / And then she eats an apple / And pretends it's Paris bars." The use of imagery here is powerful, as the poet is describing the creative process in a way that is both playful and profound. The line of stars and cars suggests movement and energy, while the apple represents the sweetness of inspiration. The reference to Paris bars suggests a sense of sophistication and elegance, which is a common theme in Parker's writing.

The fourth stanza continues the theme of inspiration, as the poet says, "She scribbles and she scrawls / And then she takes a rest / And when she starts again / She finds she's done her best." The use of alliteration here is effective, as it creates a sense of rhythm and flow. The poet is describing the ebb and flow of the creative process, and how sometimes it is necessary to take a break and come back to it later. The idea of doing one's best is also important, as it suggests that the creative process is not always easy, but it is worth the effort.

The final stanza is a reflection on the creative process, as the poet says, "Oh, little ghost-girl muse / We have been tired, we two / The night is very dark / And we are very few." The use of the word "muse" suggests that the ghost-girl is not just a figment of the poet's imagination, but a real source of inspiration. The poet is acknowledging that the creative process can be exhausting, but it is also rewarding. The reference to the darkness of the night and the smallness of their numbers suggests a sense of isolation, but also a sense of intimacy and connection.

The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which creates a sense of symmetry and balance. The use of repetition and alliteration also adds to the poem's musicality. The poem is written in free verse, which allows the poet to experiment with language and form.

The poem's themes are universal and timeless. It explores the creative process and the struggles that come with it. It acknowledges the importance of inspiration and the need for perseverance. It also touches on the themes of isolation and connection, as the poet and her muse work together to create something beautiful.

The poem's literary devices are also worth noting. The use of personification, metaphor, and imagery adds depth and complexity to the poem. The ghost-girl is a metaphor for the muse, and the use of imagery, such as the line of stars and cars, adds to the poem's visual appeal. The use of alliteration and repetition also adds to the poem's musicality.

In conclusion, "Poetry Midnight" is a timeless classic that captures the essence of the creative process. It is a conversation between the poet and her muse, and it explores the themes of inspiration, perseverance, and connection. The poem's structure, literary devices, and themes make it a powerful and memorable work of art. Dorothy Parker's wit and humor shine through in this poem, and it is no wonder that it has stood the test of time.

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