'To Newcastle' by Dorothy Parker
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I met a man the other day-
A kindly man, and serious-
Who viewed me in a thoughtful way,
And spoke me so, and spoke me thus:
"Oh, dallying's a sad mistake;
'Tis craven to survey the morrow!
Go give your heart, and if it break-
A wise companion is Sorrow.
"Oh, live, my child, nor keep your soul
To crowd your coffin when you're dead...."
I asked his work; he dealt in coal,
And shipped it up the Tyne, he said.
Editor 1 Interpretation
To Newcastle by Dorothy Parker: An Exploration of Human Relationships and Emotional Turmoil
To Newcastle by Dorothy Parker is a timeless poem that delves deep into the intricate web of human relationships and the emotional turmoil that often accompanies them. With its poignant imagery and powerful metaphors, the poem captures the essence of love, loss, and the search for identity in a way that resonates with readers of all ages and backgrounds.
At its core, To Newcastle is a poem about a woman who is struggling to come to terms with her emotions and the complexities of her relationships. Through her use of vivid imagery and metaphors, Parker paints a picture of a woman who is lost, confused, and desperately searching for meaning in her life. The poem is a journey of self-discovery, as the woman comes to realize that the answers she seeks are not found in the external world, but rather within herself.
The Woman's Emotional Turmoil
Throughout the poem, Parker uses a variety of literary devices to convey the woman's emotional turmoil. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as the woman laments her current state of mind:
"Here in the self is all that man can know
Of Truth and Beauty; mind and matter grow
In mystery: the starry worlds aloof
Show not their light nor life except to proof
By telescope on telescope enforced."
The woman is grappling with questions of truth and beauty, and is struggling to find answers. She feels isolated from the world around her, as if she is living in a bubble of her own thoughts and emotions. The use of the word "mystery" reinforces the idea that the woman is grappling with something that is beyond her understanding, something that is elusive and difficult to grasp.
As the poem progresses, we see the woman's emotional turmoil manifesting in different ways. She struggles with feelings of love and loss, as evidenced by lines such as:
"Love is a shadow. How you lie and cry
After it is gone! What shall survive?
Beauty? Nothing. Gold? There was a mine
But 'tis spent."
Here, Parker captures the essence of the woman's pain, as she mourns the loss of something that was once precious to her. The use of the word "shadow" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that love is something intangible, something that cannot be grasped or held onto. The woman's pain is palpable in these lines, as she struggles to come to terms with the fact that what she once had is now gone forever.
The Search for Identity
One of the key themes in To Newcastle is the search for identity. Throughout the poem, the woman grapples with questions of who she is and what her place in the world is. She feels lost and uncertain, as if she is adrift in a sea of emotions and uncertainty.
The theme of identity is particularly evident in lines such as:
"Oh, let me love with all my mind and soul
And trust that loveliness shall crown my goal,
Nor let me say: There are no gods, no grace,
No love, no hate, no sin, no righteousness."
Here, Parker is expressing the idea that the woman is searching for something greater than herself, something that will give her a sense of purpose and meaning. The use of the word "goal" suggests that the woman is on a journey, and that she is moving towards something that is both meaningful and important to her.
As the poem progresses, we see the woman's search for identity become more pronounced. She grapples with questions of love, beauty, and truth, as she tries to make sense of her place in the world. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Parker paints a vivid picture of a woman who is searching for something that is just beyond her reach.
The Power of Metaphor and Imagery
One of the most striking things about To Newcastle is the power of Parker's metaphors and imagery. Throughout the poem, she uses a variety of literary devices to convey the woman's emotional journey.
One particularly powerful metaphor is the image of a ship adrift at sea. In lines such as:
"Oh, let me love with all my mind and soul,
And trust that loveliness shall crown my goal,
Nor let me say: There are no gods, no grace,
No love, no hate, no sin, no righteousness.
But let me be a woman, wholly, and know
My hour for Heaven; let me be me, and go
Where the lonely, one-eyed-conning sea-gull
Patrols the wind-swept, melancholy hull."
Parker is using the image of a ship adrift at sea to convey the sense of uncertainty and unease that the woman is feeling. The image of the ship bobbing up and down on the waves, with no clear direction or purpose, is a powerful metaphor for the woman's emotional state.
Another powerful image in the poem is the image of a starry night sky. In lines such as:
"Here, in the self is all that man can know
Of Truth and Beauty; mind and matter grow
In mystery: the starry worlds aloof
Show not their light nor life except to proof
By telescope on telescope enforced."
Parker is using the image of the starry sky to convey the sense of wonder and awe that the woman feels in the face of the unknown. The image of the stars, shining brightly in the sky, is a metaphor for the woman's inner world, which is filled with mystery and wonder.
Conclusion
To Newcastle by Dorothy Parker is a powerful poem that explores the intricacies of human relationships and the emotional turmoil that often accompanies them. Through her use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, Parker paints a vivid picture of a woman who is struggling to come to terms with her emotions and her place in the world.
At its core, the poem is a journey of self-discovery, as the woman comes to realize that the answers she seeks are not found in the external world, but rather within herself. Through her use of metaphor and imagery, Parker captures the essence of the woman's emotional journey, and leaves readers with a profound sense of the complexities of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
To Newcastle: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and satirical writing style. Her poem "To Newcastle" is a prime example of her mastery of the art of satire. In this 16-line poem, Parker takes aim at the pretentiousness and superficiality of the literary world, particularly the poets who gather in Newcastle, a city in northeastern England, for an annual poetry festival. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, language, and literary devices used in "To Newcastle" to understand why it is considered a classic of satirical poetry.
Themes
The central theme of "To Newcastle" is the hypocrisy and self-importance of the literary elite. Parker mocks the poets who gather in Newcastle, describing them as "the poets of the hour," who "come to read their verse." She portrays them as vain and self-absorbed, more concerned with their own reputation and status than with the quality of their work. Parker also criticizes the commercialization of poetry, as the poets in Newcastle are "paid to chant their dirges," suggesting that they have sold out their artistic integrity for financial gain.
Another theme that emerges in "To Newcastle" is the idea of authenticity and sincerity in art. Parker suggests that the poets in Newcastle are not genuine in their work, but rather are "playing at the game of art." She implies that they are more interested in impressing their peers and gaining recognition than in expressing their true feelings and experiences. This theme is reinforced by the final lines of the poem, in which Parker declares that she would "rather write one word upon the rock, / Than chisel ten upon the sand." Here, she emphasizes the importance of creating something lasting and meaningful, rather than simply following the trends of the day.
Structure
"To Newcastle" is a short, 16-line poem that is divided into four quatrains, or stanzas of four lines each. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This creates a sense of musicality and rhythm in the poem, which is reinforced by the use of alliteration and assonance. For example, in the first stanza, Parker writes, "The poets of the hour / Come to read their verse, / In Newcastle's granite bower / They do not rehearse." Here, the repetition of the "o" sound in "poets" and "hour," and the "e" sound in "verse" and "bower," creates a sense of harmony and balance in the lines.
Language
Parker's use of language in "To Newcastle" is both playful and biting. She employs a range of literary devices, including metaphor, irony, and hyperbole, to convey her message. For example, in the second stanza, she writes, "They come from every quarter, / They come from every clime, / To sing their songs of slaughter, / And snivel at their time." Here, Parker uses hyperbole to exaggerate the poets' self-importance, suggesting that they see themselves as martyrs who are bravely speaking out against the injustices of their time. The use of the word "snivel" also adds a touch of irony, as it implies that the poets are whining and complaining rather than making a meaningful contribution to society.
Parker's language is also marked by a sense of playfulness and humor. In the third stanza, she writes, "They're paid to chant their dirges, / And paid to say their say, / They're paid to pose as virgins, / And yet they're paid to play." Here, Parker uses rhyme and repetition to create a sense of whimsy, while also poking fun at the poets' hypocrisy. The use of the word "virgins" is particularly clever, as it suggests that the poets are pretending to be pure and innocent, while in reality, they are engaging in a kind of prostitution by selling their art for money.
Literary Devices
"To Newcastle" is a masterclass in the use of literary devices to convey meaning and create an impact on the reader. Parker employs a range of techniques, including metaphor, irony, hyperbole, and allusion, to achieve her satirical purpose. For example, in the first stanza, she uses metaphor to describe Newcastle as a "granite bower," suggesting that it is a place of beauty and refuge for the poets. However, this image is quickly undercut by the next line, in which Parker notes that the poets "do not rehearse," implying that they are not serious about their craft and are simply going through the motions.
Parker also uses allusion to make her point. In the final stanza, she writes, "I'd rather write one word upon the rock, / Than chisel ten upon the sand." This is a reference to the biblical story of Jesus and the woman caught in adultery, in which Jesus writes on the ground with his finger rather than condemning the woman to death. Parker uses this allusion to suggest that true art is not about judgment or condemnation, but rather about creating something lasting and meaningful.
Conclusion
"To Newcastle" is a classic of satirical poetry that showcases Dorothy Parker's wit, humor, and mastery of language. Through her use of metaphor, irony, hyperbole, and allusion, Parker skewers the pretentiousness and superficiality of the literary elite, while also emphasizing the importance of authenticity and sincerity in art. The poem's strict structure and musicality add to its impact, creating a sense of harmony and balance that underscores Parker's message. Overall, "To Newcastle" is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
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