'A Dream Lies Dead' by Dorothy Parker
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A dream lies dead here. May you softly go
Before this place, and turn away your eyes,
Nor seek to know the look of that which dies
Importuning Life for life. Walk not in woe,
But, for a little, let your step be slow.
And, of your mercy, be not sweetly wise
With words of hope and Spring and tenderer skies.
A dream lies dead; and this all mourners know:
Whenever one drifted petal leaves the tree-
Though white of bloom as it had been before
And proudly waitful of fecundity-
One little loveliness can be no more;
And so must Beauty bow her imperfect head
Because a dream has joined the wistful dead!
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Dream Lies Dead: A Masterpiece of Sorrowful Poetry
Dorothy Parker's poem "A Dream Lies Dead" is a profound and melancholic work that speaks to the human experience of loss and grief. With a keen eye for detail and a powerful sense of poetic expression, Parker evokes the pain of a shattered dream and the sense of emptiness that follows it. Her words are both eloquent and haunting, painting a vivid picture of a heartbroken soul struggling to come to terms with the devastating loss of something precious.
Overview of the Poem
The poem opens with the speaker lamenting the death of a dream that they had cherished and nurtured for a long time. The dream, like a living entity, had filled their heart with hope and joy, but now lies dead, leaving them with nothing but sorrow and regret. The speaker describes the dream as a "bright bird" that had flown away, leaving them alone and desolate.
As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the significance of the dream, and how it had shaped their life and their worldview. They speak of the "soft wings" of the dream that had lifted them up and carried them to a happier place, and how the dream had given them the strength to face the challenges of life. But now, with the dream gone, the speaker feels lost and adrift, unable to find their way back to the sense of purpose and meaning that the dream had provided.
In the final stanza, the speaker acknowledges the finality of the dream's death, and how it has left them with an unbearable sense of loss. They speak of the dream as a "star" that has been extinguished, and how they are now left with nothing but darkness. The poem concludes with a powerful image of the speaker standing alone in the night, searching for some glimmer of hope or comfort in the darkness.
Themes and Interpretation
At its core, "A Dream Lies Dead" is a poem about the human experience of loss and grief. The speaker's lament for the death of their dream speaks to a universal experience of loss that we have all felt at some point in our lives. Whether it be the death of a loved one, the end of a relationship, or the failure of a cherished ambition, we have all experienced the pain of losing something that was important to us.
One of the most powerful themes of the poem is the idea of hope, and how it can be both a source of strength and a source of pain. The speaker describes the dream as a "bright bird" that had filled them with hope and joy, but now lies dead, leaving them with a sense of emptiness and despair. This speaks to the paradoxical nature of hope, and how it can lift us up and give us strength, but also leave us vulnerable to disappointment and heartbreak.
Another important theme of the poem is the idea of finality and the sense of irreversibility that comes with loss. The speaker acknowledges that the dream is truly dead, and that there is no hope of bringing it back. This sense of finality is what makes loss so devastating, and it is something that we all must come to terms with at some point in our lives.
Poetic Techniques
One of the most striking features of "A Dream Lies Dead" is Parker's use of metaphor and imagery to convey the speaker's sense of loss and grief. The metaphor of the dream as a "bright bird" that has flown away is a powerful and evocative image, conveying both the beauty and fragility of the dream. Similarly, the metaphor of the dream's "soft wings" speaks to the sense of comfort and security that the dream provided, and how it has now been taken away.
Parker's use of repetition and rhyme also adds to the poem's emotional impact. The repetition of the phrase "dream lies dead" throughout the poem reinforces the sense of finality and loss, while the rhyming couplets give the poem a mournful and melancholic tone.
Finally, Parker's use of enjambment and caesura adds to the poem's sense of fragmentation and disorientation. The lines are often broken up in unexpected places, creating a sense of instability and uncertainty that mirrors the speaker's emotional state.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "A Dream Lies Dead" is a powerful and poignant poem that speaks to the deeply human experience of loss and grief. Through her masterful use of metaphor, imagery, and poetic technique, Parker evokes a sense of profound sadness and despair that is both haunting and unforgettable. While the poem may be difficult to read at times, it is ultimately a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
A Dream Lies Dead: A Poem Analysis
Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her poem, A Dream Lies Dead, is a poignant reflection on the loss of a dream and the pain that comes with it. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language used in the poem to understand its deeper meaning.
The poem begins with the line, "A dream lies dead here." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it immediately establishes a sense of loss and finality. The use of the word "dead" is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the dream is not just gone, but that it has been completely destroyed. The word "here" also adds to the sense of immediacy, as if the speaker is standing right beside the dead dream.
The next line reads, "May you softly go before this place, and turn away your eyes." Here, the speaker is addressing someone, perhaps the reader or a specific person, and asking them to leave the place where the dream has died. The use of the word "softly" suggests that the speaker is asking for a quiet departure, as if they don't want to disturb the dead dream. The phrase "turn away your eyes" is also significant, as it implies that the sight of the dead dream is too painful to bear.
The third line reads, "Nor seek to know the look of that which dies amid grass and leaves." This line further emphasizes the idea that the dream is dead and gone, and that there is no point in dwelling on it. The use of the word "amid" suggests that the dream died in the midst of nature, which adds to the sense of loss and sadness.
The fourth line reads, "The jarring and the discord that assailed your eyes and ears." Here, the speaker is referring to the negative aspects of the dream that have now been silenced. The use of the words "jarring" and "discord" suggest that the dream was not a pleasant one, and that it caused discomfort and pain. The fact that these negative aspects have now been silenced suggests that there is a sense of relief in the death of the dream.
The fifth line reads, "There was a dream here; but now its dreamer wakes." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the dream was not just an abstract idea, but that it had a dreamer behind it. The use of the word "wakes" suggests that the dreamer has been jolted out of their dream and forced to face reality. This line also suggests that the dreamer is now fully aware of the loss of their dream, and that they are no longer in a state of denial.
The sixth line reads, "And, rather than the light and lissome haze of morn," Here, the speaker is contrasting the dream with reality. The use of the words "light" and "lissome" suggest that the dream was a carefree and easy one, while the use of the word "haze" suggests that it was not entirely clear or well-defined. The phrase "of morn" suggests that the dream was a new beginning, but that it has now been cut short.
The seventh line reads, "Asleep upon the dear, maternal knees of night." Here, the speaker is using a metaphor to describe the dreamer's state of mind. The use of the word "asleep" suggests that the dreamer was not fully aware of the reality of their situation, while the phrase "maternal knees of night" suggests a sense of comfort and security. This line also suggests that the dreamer was not alone in their dream, but that they were surrounded by a sense of nurturing and protection.
The eighth line reads, "Safe from the harsh unlovely glare of day." Here, the speaker is contrasting the dream with reality once again. The use of the words "harsh" and "unlovely" suggest that reality is not as pleasant as the dream, while the phrase "glare of day" suggests a sense of harshness and exposure. This line also suggests that the dreamer was not ready to face the harshness of reality, and that they were seeking refuge in their dream.
The ninth and final line reads, "Dead on the wings of twilight as it flies." This line brings the poem to a close, and it is perhaps the most powerful line of all. The use of the word "dead" once again emphasizes the finality of the dream's loss, while the phrase "on the wings of twilight as it flies" suggests a sense of fleetingness and transience. This line also suggests that the dream was not meant to last, and that it was always destined to come to an end.
In conclusion, A Dream Lies Dead is a powerful and poignant reflection on the loss of a dream. Through its use of vivid imagery and language, the poem captures the pain and sadness that comes with the death of a dream. The poem also contrasts the dream with reality, highlighting the stark differences between the two. Overall, A Dream Lies Dead is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today.
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