'Incurable' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeAnd if my heart be scarred and burned,
The safer, I, for all I learned;
The calmer, I, to see it true
That ways of love are never new-
The love that sets you daft and dazed
Is every love that ever blazed;
The happier, I, to fathom this:
A kiss is every other kiss.
The reckless vow, the lovely name,
When Helen walked, were spoke the same;
The weighted breast, the grinding woe,
When Phaon fled, were ever so.
Oh, it is sure as it is sad
That any lad is every lad,
And what's a girl, to dare implore
Her dear be hers forevermore?
Though he be tried and he be bold,
And swearing death should he be cold,
He'll run the path the others went....
But you, my sweet, are different.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Incurable: A Comprehensive Analysis
Oh, how electrifying it is to delve deep into the works of the witty and formidable Dorothy Parker, and Poetry, Incurable is no exception. This collection of poems, first published in 1926, presents Parker's signature sardonic wit, melancholic musings, and feminist leanings in a way that is both timeless and relevant to our contemporary world. Throughout this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the themes, structure, language, and devices used by Parker to create a poignant and impactful collection of poetry.
Themes
At the heart of Poetry, Incurable is the theme of love, its complexities, and its often-disappointing nature. Parker explores romantic entanglements with a sharp eye and a wry wit, never shying away from the darker aspects of love. In "A Very Short Song," she writes, "Once, when I was young and true, / Someone left me sad — / Broke my brittle heart in two; / And that is very bad." The brevity of the poem belies its emotional depth, as Parker captures the heartache of lost love in just four lines.
Parker also addresses the theme of identity, particularly in relation to gender and societal expectations. In "The Lady's Reward," she writes, "She fought the fight, and kept the faith, / And on her tombstone you shall read / She won the only victory that / Was worth the winning — She was dead." This biting commentary on the limited options available to women in Parker's time is still relevant today, as women continue to fight for equality and recognition.
Another recurring theme in Poetry, Incurable is the transitory nature of life and the inevitability of death. In "Experience," Parker writes, "Some men break your heart in two, / Some men fawn and flatter, / Some men never look at you; / And that cleans up the matter." Here, she acknowledges the fleeting nature of relationships and the need to move on, even when it hurts.
Structure
The structure of Poetry, Incurable is varied, with Parker employing a range of forms and styles throughout the collection. Many of the poems are short and punchy, such as "The Trusting Heart," which reads in its entirety:
Oh, I'd been false before
But never quite so much.
I never thought I'd break my word
For anybody's touch.
Others, such as "The Small Hours," are longer and more complex, with multiple stanzas and shifting tones. Parker also makes use of rhyme and meter in many of her poems, but never at the expense of meaning or impact.
One of the most striking features of Parker's poetry is her ability to create powerful imagery with just a few carefully chosen words. In "A Certain Lady," she writes, "Oh, she was sad, oh, she was sad, / And yet her eyes were so beguiled / You wondered while you saw her cry / If sadness were her latest style." This brief description of a woman's emotional state paints a vivid picture that lingers long after the poem is finished.
Language
Parker's use of language in Poetry, Incurable is both witty and precise. Her sharp tongue is on full display in poems such as "Résumé," which opens with the lines:
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
The use of sharp consonant sounds creates a sense of discomfort and unease, underscoring the poem's message that life is full of pain and disappointment.
Parker also has a gift for creating memorable lines that stick in the mind long after the poem is finished. In "One Perfect Rose," she writes, "Why is it no one ever sent me yet / One perfect limousine, do you suppose?" This perfectly encapsulates the frustration of unfulfilled romantic expectations, and the quietly devastating final line, "Not that at least would be to some purpose," underscores the poem's melancholic tone.
Devices
Throughout Poetry, Incurable, Parker makes use of a range of literary devices to create meaning and impact. One of the most effective is irony, which she uses to great effect in poems such as "The Lady's Reward." The poem's title suggests a triumphant outcome, but the final line reveals the bitter truth that death is the only reward available to women who dare to challenge societal norms.
Parker also employs repetition in many of her poems, such as "The Trusting Heart." The repeated phrase "I never thought I'd break my word" underscores the poem's central idea that love can cause us to act in ways that are out of character.
Finally, Parker makes use of understatement to create a sense of irony and humor. In "Interview," she writes, "The ladies men admire, I've heard, / Would shudder at a wicked word." The implication is clear: the women who are held up as paragons of virtue are often the most hypocritical and repressed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Poetry, Incurable is a masterful collection of poetry that showcases Dorothy Parker's razor-sharp wit, melancholic musings, and feminist leanings. Through its exploration of themes such as love, identity, and mortality, and its use of varied structure, precise language, and effective literary devices, the collection stands as a testament to Parker's enduring relevance and impact on American literature. As we continue to grapple with issues of gender, love, and societal expectations, Parker's poems offer a sharp and incisive perspective that is as relevant today as it was nearly a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Incurable: A Masterpiece of Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, the American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her witty and satirical writing style. Her works often reflect the social and cultural norms of the early 20th century, and her poetry is no exception. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Incurable," is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the poet's struggle to find meaning in her craft.
The poem is a reflection of Parker's own experience as a writer. It is a confession of her inability to write poetry that is both meaningful and beautiful. The poem begins with the speaker stating that she is "incurable" when it comes to poetry. She admits that she has tried to write poetry many times, but she has always failed. She describes her attempts as "sickly," "feeble," and "futile."
The speaker then goes on to describe the various things that she has tried to write about. She has tried to write about love, nature, and even death, but she has always fallen short. She describes her attempts as "trite," "hackneyed," and "commonplace." She acknowledges that these are all topics that have been written about countless times before, and she feels that she has nothing new or original to add.
The speaker then turns her attention to the poets who have succeeded where she has failed. She describes them as "great" and "immortal," and she wonders how they were able to achieve such greatness. She acknowledges that they must have had a special talent or gift that she does not possess. She also wonders if they were able to find meaning in their poetry, or if they were simply writing for the sake of writing.
The poem then takes a darker turn as the speaker begins to question the value of poetry altogether. She wonders if poetry is nothing more than a "futile" and "useless" pursuit. She questions whether anyone really cares about poetry, or if it is just something that people pretend to care about in order to seem cultured and sophisticated.
Despite these doubts, the speaker concludes the poem with a glimmer of hope. She acknowledges that even though she may never be a great poet, she will continue to write. She will continue to try to find meaning in her craft, even if it means writing "sickly" and "feeble" poetry. She acknowledges that writing is a part of who she is, and she cannot imagine giving it up.
Overall, "Poetry Incurable" is a powerful and poignant poem that captures the struggle of the artist to find meaning in their craft. Parker's use of language is both witty and profound, and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience is truly remarkable. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of poetry, and a reminder that even the most "incurable" of writers can find solace in their craft.
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