'The Dark Girl's Rhyme' by Dorothy Parker


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Who was there had seen us
Wouldn't bid him run?
Heavy lay between us
All our sires had done.

There he was, a-springing
Of a pious race,
Setting hags a-swinging
In a market-place;

Sowing turnips over
Where the poppies lay;
Looking past the clover,
Adding up the hay;

Shouting through the Spring song,
Clumping down the sod;
Toadying, in sing-song,
To a crabbed god.

There I was, that came of
Folk of mud and name-
I that had my name of
Them without a name.

Up and down a mountain
Streeled my silly stock;
Passing by a fountain,
Wringing at a rock;

Devil-gotten sinners,
Throwing back their heads,
Fiddling for their dinners,
Kissing for their beds.

Not a one had seen us
Wouldn't help him flee.
Angry ran between us
Blood of him and me.

How shall I be mating
Who have looked above-
Living for a hating,
Dying of a love?

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Dark Girl's Rhyme: A Critical Analysis

Dorothy Parker's The Dark Girl's Rhyme is a poem that has been lauded for its poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by black women in the early twentieth century. The poem, first published in 1926, has been analyzed for its feminist themes, as well as its commentary on the racial tensions of the time. In this critical analysis, we will delve deeper into these themes and explore the poet's use of language and imagery to convey her message.

The Poem's Structure and Language

The Dark Girl's Rhyme is a five-stanza poem, each consisting of four lines. The rhyme scheme of the poem is AABB, with each stanza ending with a repeated line. This repetition serves to emphasize the central message of the poem, and to reinforce the struggles faced by the dark girl.

The language used in the poem is simple and direct, yet powerful in its ability to evoke emotion. The use of imagery, in particular, is effective in painting a vivid picture of the dark girl's experiences. For example, the line "My little sister is shy and dead, / She dances alone in her white, white bed" conjures up a haunting image of a young girl, isolated and alone in her deathly white surroundings.

Feminist Themes in the Poem

At its core, The Dark Girl's Rhyme is a feminist poem, exploring the struggles faced by black women in a society that seeks to suppress them. The protagonist of the poem is a young black girl, who is forced to navigate a world that is hostile to her very existence. The poem explores the themes of isolation, loneliness, and the pressure to conform to societal norms.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is the way in which the dark girl's voice is suppressed. Throughout the poem, she is denied the right to speak, as the repeated line "And nobody listens to me" emphasizes. This serves to highlight the silencing of black women's voices, and the way in which their experiences are often ignored or dismissed.

Another key feminist theme in the poem is the pressure to conform to societal norms. The dark girl is constantly told to "tidy my hair and be good". This is a clear indication of the way in which society seeks to control and regulate women's bodies and behavior. The dark girl's refusal to conform to these expectations is a powerful act of resistance, and serves to highlight the importance of agency and self-acceptance.

Racial Tensions in the Poem

In addition to its feminist themes, The Dark Girl's Rhyme also explores the racial tensions of the time. The poem was written during the height of the Jim Crow era, a period of intense racial segregation and discrimination in the United States. The dark girl's experiences are indicative of the way in which black women were marginalized and oppressed during this time.

One of the most striking examples of this is the way in which the dark girl's sister is described. She is "shy and dead", and dances "alone in her white, white bed". This is a powerful image, evoking the isolation and death that many black women faced during this time. The use of the color white is also significant, as it serves to highlight the way in which white society sought to erase blackness and impose whiteness as the standard of beauty and morality.

Another example of racial tensions in the poem is the way in which the dark girl's father is portrayed. He is described as "black as the earthen pot", emphasizing his dark skin color. This is significant, as it highlights the way in which blackness was often associated with inferiority and negativity during this time. The fact that the father is absent from the poem also serves to reinforce the idea of black male absence and the lack of male protection for black women.

Conclusion

In conclusion, The Dark Girl's Rhyme is a powerful poem that explores the struggles faced by black women in the early twentieth century. Through its use of language and imagery, the poem highlights the silencing of black women's voices, the pressure to conform to societal norms, and the racial tensions of the time. The poem's feminist and anti-racist themes continue to be relevant today, making it a timeless piece of literature that speaks to the ongoing struggles for social justice and equality.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Dark Girl's Rhyme: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Classic Poem

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, satirical humor, and poignant observations on life and love. One of her most famous poems, The Dark Girl's Rhyme, is a haunting and powerful piece that explores the themes of race, identity, and social injustice.

At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple nursery rhyme, with its sing-song rhythm and playful language. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that Parker is using this form to convey a much deeper message about the experiences of black women in America.

The poem begins with the lines, "When I was a little girl, / I had a rag doll." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the speaker's childhood innocence and vulnerability. The use of the word "rag" to describe the doll also hints at the speaker's poverty and lack of access to more expensive toys.

The next stanza introduces the titular "dark girl," who is described as having "eyes like coals" and "skin as black as ink." These descriptions immediately mark the girl as different from the speaker, who is presumably white. The use of color imagery is significant here, as it highlights the racial divide between the two girls and the societal prejudices that come with it.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn, as the speaker reveals that the dark girl is no longer alive. She says, "She died and went to heaven, / Her soul was white as snow." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that the dark girl had to die in order to be accepted into heaven and be seen as "pure" or "good" by society.

The final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the dark girl's fate and the injustice of it all. She says, "And in the streets the children run, / And laugh and shout with glee; / But they never dream that underneath / The laughing there may be / A little girl who cries all night, / And stares out at the dark." This stanza is a stark reminder that while the other children are able to enjoy their childhoods and be carefree, the dark girl was forced to bear the weight of racism and discrimination from a young age. The image of her crying all night and staring out at the dark is a haunting one, and it speaks to the emotional toll that racism can take on a person.

Overall, The Dark Girl's Rhyme is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the experiences of black women in America. Through its use of color imagery, nursery rhyme form, and emotional language, Parker is able to convey a message that is both heartbreaking and hopeful. While the dark girl may have suffered in life, her soul was ultimately "white as snow," and her memory lives on through this powerful poem.

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