'A Very Short Song' by Dorothy Parker


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Enough Rope1925Once, when I was young and true,Someone left me sad-
Broke my brittle heart in two;And that is very bad.Love is for unlucky folk,Love is but a curse.
Once there was a heart I broke;And that, I think, is worse.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry: A Very Short Song by Dorothy Parker

As a reader, have you ever come across a poem that is so simple yet so profound? A poem that grabs your attention with its brevity and leaves you pondering about its meaning long after you have finished reading it? Well, that is exactly what Dorothy Parker's "A Very Short Song" does. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the poem's themes, form, language, and literary devices to unravel its meaning.

Overview of the Poem

"A Very Short Song" is a poem about love and loss. It is a brief yet powerful lamentation of a love affair that has come to an end. The poem is divided into two stanzas, each with two lines. The first stanza establishes the context of the poem, while the second one presents the speaker's feelings.

Once, when I was young and true,
Someone left me sad-

Broke my brittle heart in two;
And that is very bad.

The poem's brevity is evident from the first line, which is only five words long. The simplicity of the language and the rhyme scheme (ABCB) give the poem a sing-song quality, which belies its underlying sadness.

Themes

One of the primary themes of the poem is love and loss. The speaker's recollection of a past love affair and how it ended evokes feelings of sadness and melancholy. The phrase "someone left me sad" is a poignant reminder of how love can leave one feeling vulnerable and alone.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the brevity of life. The speaker's use of the word "once" suggests that the love affair happened a long time ago, and the use of the word "young" reinforces this idea. The poem is a reminder that life is fleeting and that even the most intense emotions can fade away with time.

Form and Language

The poem's form is simple, with two stanzas, each with two lines. The rhyme scheme is ABCB, which means that the second and fourth lines of each stanza rhyme with each other. The poem's brevity and simplicity are reinforced by the use of short, simple words such as "once," "young," "sad," and "bad."

The poem's language is also notable for its use of irony. The phrase "very short song" suggests that the poem is going to be a lighthearted, upbeat piece. However, the content of the poem is anything but. The phrase is also ironic because the poem is not a song in the traditional sense, but a poem about a song.

Literary Devices

The poem employs several literary devices to convey its themes and emotions. These include:

Alliteration

The poem makes use of alliteration in the second line of the first stanza. The phrase "left me sad" has a musical quality, which reinforces the poem's sing-song quality.

Personification

The use of personification in the second stanza ("Broke my brittle heart in two") adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of the word "brittle" suggests that the speaker's heart was fragile, and the break was sudden and unexpected.

Metaphor

The phrase "very short song" is a metaphor for the love affair. It suggests that the affair was brief but intense, like a song that is over before you know it.

Irony

The poem's use of irony is evident in the contrast between the title and the content of the poem. The phrase "very short song" suggests that the poem is going to be a lighthearted, upbeat piece. However, the content of the poem is anything but.

Interpretation

At its core, "A Very Short Song" is a poem about the transience of life and the fleeting nature of love. The brevity of the poem and its simple language and form belie the complexity of its themes and emotions. The poem's use of irony, alliteration, personification, and metaphor all combine to create a powerful and poignant work of art.

The poem's final line, "And that is very bad," is a stark reminder of the pain of lost love. It is a line that stays with the reader long after they have finished reading the poem. The brevity of the poem also adds to its impact. In just four short lines, Parker captures the essence of a love affair that has come to an end.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "A Very Short Song" is a masterpiece of brevity and emotional depth. Its themes of love and loss, the brevity of life, and the transience of emotions are all conveyed with great skill and subtlety. The poem's use of irony, alliteration, personification, and metaphor all add to its impact and make it a work that is both simple and profound. It is a poem that is sure to stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions, stir up memories, and transport us to different worlds. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "A Very Short Song" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a perfect example of how a few words can convey a powerful message and leave a lasting impact on the reader.

The poem is only four lines long, but it packs a punch. It goes like this:

"Once, when I was young and true, Someone left me sad- Broke my brittle heart in two; And that is very bad."

At first glance, the poem seems simple and straightforward. It tells the story of a young woman who was left heartbroken by someone she loved. However, upon closer inspection, the poem reveals a deeper meaning and a universal truth that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.

The first line of the poem sets the tone for what is to come. "Once, when I was young and true" suggests that the speaker is no longer young and true. This line also implies that the speaker has experienced heartbreak before and has grown wiser as a result. The use of the word "true" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker was once innocent and naive, but has since been disillusioned by life.

The second line of the poem is where the heartbreak is introduced. "Someone left me sad" is a simple and direct statement, but it conveys a lot of emotion. The use of the word "left" suggests that the speaker was abandoned by someone she loved. The word "sad" is an understatement because it doesn't fully capture the depth of the speaker's pain. However, the simplicity of the line is what makes it so powerful. It's a universal experience that everyone can relate to.

The third line of the poem is where the speaker's vulnerability is revealed. "Broke my brittle heart in two" is a metaphor that suggests the speaker's heart was fragile and easily broken. The use of the word "brittle" is interesting because it suggests that the speaker's heart was not only fragile but also old and worn out. The metaphor of the heart being broken in two is a common one, but it's effective because it conveys the idea that the speaker's heart was irreparably damaged.

The final line of the poem is where the speaker's wisdom is revealed. "And that is very bad" is a simple and direct statement, but it conveys a lot of meaning. The use of the word "very" suggests that the speaker is not downplaying the severity of her heartbreak. The word "bad" is an understatement because it doesn't fully capture the depth of the speaker's pain. However, the simplicity of the line is what makes it so powerful. It's a universal truth that everyone can relate to.

In conclusion, "A Very Short Song" by Dorothy Parker is a powerful poem that conveys a universal truth about heartbreak. The poem is simple and direct, but it conveys a lot of emotion and meaning. The use of metaphors and understatement is effective because it allows the reader to fill in the gaps and relate to the speaker's experience. The poem is a reminder that heartbreak is a universal experience that everyone goes through, but it's also a reminder that we can grow wiser and stronger as a result.

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