'Afternoon' by Dorothy Parker
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
Sunset RopeWhen I am old, and comforted,And done with this desire,
With Memory to share my bedAnd Peace to share my fire,I'll comb my hair in scalloped bandsBeneath my laundered cap,
And watch my cool and fragile handsLie light upon my lap.And I will have a sprigged gownWith lace to kiss my throat;
I'll draw my curtain to the town,And hum a purring note.And I'll forget the way of tears,And rock, and stir my tea.
But oh, I wish those blessed yearsWere further than they be!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Exploration of "Afternoon" by Dorothy Parker
Are you looking for a timeless piece of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience? Then look no further than "Afternoon" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a stunning portrayal of the emptiness that can come with perfection, and it is executed with a masterful use of language and imagery.
The Poem
Let's dive right in and take a look at the poem itself:
"Afternoon"
When I am old, and comforted, And done with this desire, With Memory to share my bed And Peace to share my fire,
I'll comb my hair in scalloped bands Beneath my laundered cap, And watch my cool and fragile hands Lie light upon my lap.
And I will have a sprigged gown With lace to kiss my throat; I'll draw my curtain to the town, And hum a purring note.
And I'll forget the way of tears, And rock, and stir my tea. But oh, I wish those blessed years Were further than they be!
Analysis
The first thing that strikes me about this poem is its theme of aging and acceptance. The speaker is imagining a future where she is old and at peace with her life. She has no more desires, and instead has memories and peace to keep her company. This is a powerful image of acceptance, but the language used to convey this idea is what really elevates the poem.
The imagery used in the first stanza is particularly striking. The speaker talks about having "Memory to share my bed / And Peace to share my fire." These are powerful images of companionship and comfort, and they set the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is imagining a future where she is surrounded by the things that matter most, and the language used to describe these things is beautiful and evocative.
The second stanza is where the poem really shines. The speaker talks about combing her hair in "scalloped bands / Beneath my laundered cap." This image is both delicate and precise, and it perfectly captures the idea of an older woman taking care of herself. The speaker then talks about watching her "cool and fragile hands / Lie light upon my lap." This image is one of relaxation and peace, and it perfectly captures the theme of the poem.
The third stanza is where the speaker really sets the scene. She talks about having a "sprigged gown / With lace to kiss my throat," and drawing her curtain to the town. These images are both cozy and intimate, and they really capture the idea of an older woman settling in for the afternoon. The speaker then talks about humming a "purring note," which is a lovely image of contentment.
The final stanza is where the speaker expresses a bittersweet sentiment. She talks about forgetting "the way of tears," and rocking and stirring her tea. This image is one of domesticity and comfort, but the speaker then expresses a wish that these "blessed years / Were further than they be." This is a powerful moment, as the speaker acknowledges that even in the midst of contentment, there is still a sense of sadness and loss.
Interpretation
So what does all this mean? To me, the poem is a powerful meditation on aging and acceptance. The speaker is imagining a future where she is at peace with her life, surrounded by memories and companionship. But even in this future, there is a sense of loss and sadness. The speaker wishes that these "blessed years" could be further away, suggesting that even in the midst of contentment, there is still a sense of longing for what has been lost.
But there is also a sense of beauty and grace to the poem. The language used to describe the speaker's future is gorgeous and evocative, and the images of domesticity and comfort are both cozy and intimate. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of sadness and loss, there can still be moments of beauty and peace.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Afternoon" by Dorothy Parker is a stunning portrayal of aging and acceptance. The language used to describe the speaker's future is beautiful and evocative, and the imagery is both cozy and intimate. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of sadness and loss, there can still be moments of beauty and peace. So if you're looking for a timeless piece of poetry that captures the essence of the human experience, look no further than "Afternoon" by Dorothy Parker.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Afternoon: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and satirical commentary on the society of her time. Her poem "Poetry Afternoon" is a perfect example of her mastery of the art of satire. In this 24-line poem, Parker takes a dig at the pretentiousness and superficiality of the literary world, particularly the poetry readings that were popular in the early 20th century. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, literary devices, and the overall impact of this classic poem.
The poem begins with a description of the setting, a "roomful of books" and "people in the room." The use of the word "roomful" suggests a crowded and stuffy atmosphere, which is further emphasized by the next line, "Readings of verse." The phrase "readings of verse" is significant as it sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It suggests that the event is not a spontaneous expression of creativity but rather a formal and rehearsed performance. The use of the word "verse" instead of "poetry" also hints at the artificiality of the event.
The second stanza introduces the first character, "A chap with a monocle." The use of the word "chap" is a nod to the British upper-class culture, which was fashionable at the time. The monocle, a symbol of wealth and privilege, further reinforces this image. The character's "air of being a debonair" suggests that he is trying too hard to appear sophisticated and cultured. The phrase "he recited from Maud" is significant as it refers to a poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson, which was popular among the upper class. The use of this reference is a subtle critique of the elitism and exclusivity of the literary world.
The third stanza introduces the second character, "A lady with a mission." The use of the word "mission" suggests that the character is on a crusade to promote a particular cause or ideology. The phrase "She read a paper" suggests that the character is not reading poetry but rather a political or social commentary. The use of the word "paper" instead of "poem" also implies that the character is more interested in making a point than in the art of poetry. The phrase "On the Woman Question" is significant as it refers to the feminist movement, which was gaining momentum at the time. The use of this reference is a subtle critique of the politicization of poetry and the tendency to use it as a tool for social activism.
The fourth stanza introduces the third character, "A youth with a lute." The use of the word "youth" suggests that the character is inexperienced and naive. The phrase "He looked like a cobra" is significant as it suggests that the character is dangerous and deceptive. The use of the word "cobra" also implies that the character is trying to charm and hypnotize the audience with his music. The phrase "He sang of the love that was sin" is significant as it refers to the taboo subject of homosexuality, which was considered immoral and illegal at the time. The use of this reference is a subtle critique of the hypocrisy and narrow-mindedness of the society.
The fifth stanza introduces the fourth character, "A girl with an ear-ring." The use of the word "girl" suggests that the character is young and innocent. The phrase "She looked like a Jewess" is significant as it suggests that the character is a victim of prejudice and discrimination. The use of the word "Jewess" also implies that the character is an outsider in the literary world, which was dominated by the white Anglo-Saxon Protestant culture. The phrase "She told us of Heine" is significant as it refers to a German poet who was also a Jew. The use of this reference is a subtle critique of the ignorance and bigotry of the literary world.
The final stanza concludes the poem with a sarcastic comment on the audience's reaction to the performances. The phrase "We all applauded long" suggests that the audience is more interested in the social status and the appearance of sophistication than in the quality of the poetry. The use of the word "long" also implies that the applause is forced and insincere. The phrase "And loud we stamped our feet" is significant as it suggests that the audience is trying to create an illusion of enthusiasm and excitement. The use of the word "loud" also implies that the stamping is a form of aggression and domination.
In terms of literary devices, Parker uses irony, satire, and allusion to create a powerful critique of the literary world. The use of irony is evident in the contrast between the appearance and the reality of the characters. The use of satire is evident in the exaggerated and caricatured portrayal of the characters. The use of allusion is evident in the references to the literary and cultural icons of the time.
In terms of the impact of the poem, "Poetry Afternoon" is a timeless masterpiece that exposes the flaws and the follies of the literary world. It is a reminder that poetry should be a genuine expression of creativity and emotion, not a tool for social climbing or political activism. It is also a reminder that the literary world should be inclusive and diverse, not exclusive and elitist.
In conclusion, "Poetry Afternoon" is a brilliant example of Dorothy Parker's wit, humor, and satirical genius. It is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, as it exposes the superficiality and the pretentiousness of the literary world. It is a poem that reminds us of the power and the beauty of genuine poetry, and the importance of inclusivity and diversity in the literary world.
Editor Recommended Sites
Cloud Training - DFW Cloud Training, Southlake / Westlake Cloud Training: Cloud training in DFW Texas from ex-GoogleStreaming Data: Data streaming and data movement best practice for cloud, software engineering, cloud
Data Migration: Data Migration resources for data transfer across databases and across clouds
GraphStorm: Graphstorm framework by AWS fan page, best practice, tutorials
Coding Interview Tips - LLM and AI & Language Model interview questions: Learn the latest interview tips for the new LLM / GPT AI generative world
Recommended Similar Analysis
A Little Budding Rose by Emily Jane Brontë analysisYou may forget but by Sappho analysis
A Birthday Poem by Ted Kooser analysis
If by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Stanzas by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Never Seek to Tell thy Love by William Blake analysis
Mushrooms by Sylvia Plath analysis
Ulysses by Alfred Lord Tennyson analysis
O Solitude! If I Must With Thee Dwell by John Keats analysis
Our journey had advanced; by Emily Dickinson analysis