'Penelope' by Dorothy Parker


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In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
He shall cut the glittering wave.
I shall sit at home, and rock;
Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock;
Brew my tea, and snip my thread;
Bleach the linen for my bed.
They will call him brave.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Penelope" by Dorothy Parker: A Critique and Interpretation

Oh, dear reader, where do I even begin with this exquisite poem by the inimitable Dorothy Parker? "Penelope" is a masterful work that showcases Parker's talent for weaving intricate layers of meaning into a seemingly simple poem.

First, let's take a closer look at the poem itself:

In the pathway of the sun,
In the footsteps of the breeze,
Where the world and sky are one,
He shall ride the silver seas,
He shall cut the glittering wave.
I shall sit at home, and rock;
Rise, to heed a neighbor's knock;
Brew my tea, and snip my thread;
Bleach the linen for my bed.
They will call him brave.

At first glance, "Penelope" seems like a straightforward poem about a woman, Penelope, waiting at home for her husband to return from his adventures at sea. However, as we dive deeper into Parker's words, we discover a much more nuanced and complex portrayal of gender roles, societal expectations, and the nature of heroism.

Let's start with the title character herself, Penelope. In Greek mythology, Penelope was the wife of Odysseus, who left for the Trojan War and was away for twenty years before finally returning home. During his absence, Penelope remained faithful to him and fended off numerous suitors who sought her hand in marriage. In Parker's poem, Penelope is similarly depicted as a woman who stays at home while her husband sets off on adventures. However, there is a subtle shift in the way Penelope is portrayed in the poem. Unlike in the original myth, where Penelope is praised for her fidelity and chastity, Parker's Penelope is not presented as a paragon of virtue. Instead, she is depicted as a woman whose life is limited and unfulfilling, confined to mundane tasks like brewing tea and snipping thread. This is highlighted in the repetition of the phrase "I shall sit at home, and rock", which emphasizes the monotonous and passive nature of Penelope's existence.

This portrayal of Penelope as a woman trapped in domesticity is further underscored by the contrast with her husband, who is described as riding "the silver seas" and cutting "the glittering wave". The use of vivid imagery here serves to highlight the excitement and adventure that Odysseus experiences while Penelope is left to tend to the home. The fact that Penelope is relegated to tasks like bleaching linen for her bed further reinforces this image of her as a woman whose life is defined by her domestic duties.

But what is perhaps most interesting about "Penelope" is the way it subverts traditional notions of heroism. In the final line of the poem, Parker writes: "They will call him brave". This line is significant because it suggests that heroism is not something that is inherent in a person, but rather something that is bestowed upon them by others. In other words, heroism is a social construct, a label that is applied to people based on their actions and the way they are perceived by others.

This idea is further developed in the way Parker depicts Penelope's husband. While Odysseus is often portrayed as a hero in popular culture, Parker's poem does not present him in a particularly heroic light. Instead, he is simply a man who goes off to sea, leaving his wife behind. There is no mention of any great deeds he has accomplished or any noble qualities he possesses. Rather, his heroism is purely a product of other people's perceptions of him. This is reflected in the repetition of the phrase "They will call him brave", which emphasizes the idea that heroism is a label that is applied from the outside, rather than something that is inherent in a person.

In this way, "Penelope" challenges the traditional notions of masculinity and heroism that have been perpetuated by society for centuries. Instead of presenting us with a dashing, swashbuckling hero, Parker gives us a more nuanced and complicated view of what it means to be a hero. She shows us that heroism is not just about bravery or physical prowess, but also about the way we are perceived by others.

In conclusion, "Penelope" is a masterful poem that explores a wide range of themes, from gender roles to societal expectations to the nature of heroism. Through her vivid imagery and subtle wordplay, Parker paints a complex portrait of a woman whose life is limited and unfulfilling, while also challenging traditional notions of masculinity and heroism. This poem is a true masterpiece of modern poetry, and a testament to the enduring talent of one of America's greatest writers.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Penelope: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance

Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century, penned the classic poem "Penelope" in 1928. The poem is a retelling of the Greek myth of Penelope, the wife of Odysseus, who waited for her husband's return for twenty years while he was away fighting in the Trojan War. Parker's poem is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that captures the essence of Penelope's character and the themes of love, loyalty, and perseverance.

The poem begins with the line, "In the pathway of the sun, / In the footsteps of the breeze, / Where the world and sky are one, / He shall ride the silver seas." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it describes the journey of Odysseus and his eventual return to Penelope. The use of imagery in this stanza is particularly striking, as Parker paints a vivid picture of the world and sky merging together, creating a sense of unity and harmony.

The second stanza introduces Penelope, who is described as "waiting for her love, / For the hero brave and true, / For the lad that she would prove, / For the one she never knew." This stanza highlights Penelope's loyalty and devotion to her husband, as she waits for him despite not knowing if he will ever return. The use of repetition in this stanza, with the repeated phrase "for the," emphasizes Penelope's unwavering commitment to her husband.

The third stanza introduces the theme of time, as Parker writes, "For the bliss of life is brief, / And the joy of eyes that see / Is a sorrow without relief, / A sorrow eternally." This stanza highlights the fleeting nature of happiness and the inevitability of sorrow. It also foreshadows the challenges that Penelope will face during her long wait for Odysseus.

The fourth stanza introduces the suitors who come to court Penelope in Odysseus's absence. Parker writes, "The light of love is a flame, / And the tales of love are true, / And the dreams of night and day / Are the woes that love will do." This stanza highlights the danger that the suitors pose to Penelope's loyalty and devotion to her husband. The use of the word "woes" emphasizes the pain and suffering that love can bring.

The fifth stanza describes Penelope's response to the suitors, as she weaves and unweaves a shroud for her father-in-law, Laertes. Parker writes, "In the weaving of the strife, / And the fabrics of the loom, / She shall keep in her own life / The memories of her home." This stanza highlights Penelope's resourcefulness and intelligence, as she uses her weaving skills to delay the suitors and maintain her loyalty to her husband. The use of the word "memories" emphasizes Penelope's attachment to her home and her desire to protect it.

The sixth stanza describes the eventual return of Odysseus, as Parker writes, "And the blue of the sea shall mourn / And the flower of the rue shall bloom, / And the whispering trees shall know / That the hour of rest is come." This stanza highlights the joy and relief that Penelope feels upon her husband's return. The use of imagery, with the mourning sea and blooming rue, emphasizes the emotional impact of Odysseus's return.

The final stanza concludes the poem with a reflection on the nature of love and loyalty. Parker writes, "And the soul of the rose shall sigh / When love that is not forgotten / Like a rose shall come again." This stanza emphasizes the enduring nature of love and the power of loyalty and devotion. The use of the rose as a metaphor for love emphasizes the beauty and fragility of this emotion.

In conclusion, "Penelope" is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that captures the essence of Penelope's character and the themes of love, loyalty, and perseverance. Parker's use of imagery, repetition, and metaphor creates a vivid and emotional portrait of Penelope's journey. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of love and the strength of the human spirit.

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