'Unfortunate Coincidence' by Dorothy Parker

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By the time you swear you're his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying -
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Unpacking the Unfortunate Coincidence in Dorothy Parker's Poetry

As one of the wittiest and most incisive writers of the 20th century, Dorothy Parker knew how to pack a punch with her words. In her poem "Unfortunate Coincidence," she manages to convey a complex mix of emotions with just a few lines of verse. At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple lament about a lost love. But on closer examination, it reveals a deeper layer of meaning that speaks to the human condition itself.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in full:

By the time you swear you’re his,
Shivering and sighing,
And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying—
Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a warning to women about the false promises of men. The speaker (presumably a woman) recounts a familiar scenario: she falls for a man who promises her the world, but eventually realizes that his words were empty. The final line of the poem, "One of you is lying," seems to suggest that either the man was dishonest about his feelings or the woman was foolish to believe him.

The Unfortunate Coincidence

But there's more to the poem than meets the eye. The title itself, "Unfortunate Coincidence," hints at a deeper meaning. What is the coincidence that the speaker is referring to? Is it simply the fact that one person lies and the other believes? Or is there something more profound at work here?

To answer that question, we need to look at the structure of the poem. The first two lines establish a pattern of repetition and rhyme:

By the time you swear you’re his,
Shivering and sighing,

This repetition creates a sense of inevitability and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The next two lines introduce a contrast between the man's promises and the reality of the situation:

And he vows his passion is
Infinite, undying—

This contrast is emphasized by the use of opposite words (passion vs. undying) and the repetition of the "i" sound in "vows" and "infinite." The final two lines of the poem provide the punchline:

Lady, make a note of this:
One of you is lying.

Here, the repetition of the "i" sound creates a sense of finality and emphasizes the harshness of the truth being revealed. But what is the truth? Is it simply that one person is lying? Or is there something more profound at work here?

The Human Condition

To answer that question, we need to look at the poem as a whole. What is the speaker really saying here? Is she simply warning women about the dangers of falling for false promises, or is there a deeper message that applies to all of us?

I believe that the latter is true. The poem is not just about love and relationships; it's about the human condition itself. It's about the fact that we all have a tendency to believe in things that aren't necessarily true. We all have a tendency to trust in promises that may never be fulfilled. And we all have a tendency to lie to ourselves about our own desires and motives.

The "unfortunate coincidence" that the speaker refers to is the fact that we are all caught up in this cycle of deception and self-deception. We all want to believe that our passions are infinite and undying, but the reality is that they are often fleeting and ephemeral. We all want to believe that we are honest and true, but the reality is that we are often driven by hidden agendas and unacknowledged desires.

The final line of the poem, "One of you is lying," is not just a warning to women about the dangers of men. It's a warning to all of us about the dangers of our own illusions and delusions. It's a reminder that we need to be vigilant and honest with ourselves if we want to avoid the "unfortunate coincidence" of being caught in a cycle of lies and self-deception.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a deceptively simple poem that speaks to the complexity of the human condition. It's a warning to all of us about the dangers of believing in things that aren't necessarily true and about the importance of being honest with ourselves about our desires and motives. The poem's structure and repetition create a sense of inevitability and finality that drive home the harsh truth of the final line. But despite its bleak message, the poem also contains a note of hope. By acknowledging our own weaknesses and limitations, we can begin to break free from the cycle of deception and self-deception and live more authentic and fulfilling lives.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Unfortunate Coincidence: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and clever use of irony. Her poem "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a perfect example of her unique style, as it combines humor, tragedy, and irony in a way that leaves the reader both amused and saddened.

The poem tells the story of a man who, while walking down the street, sees his former lover with her new partner. The man is filled with jealousy and anger, and he wishes that he could somehow get revenge on his ex-lover. However, as he continues walking, he is struck by a passing car and killed instantly. The poem ends with the ironic twist that the man's former lover and her new partner were also killed in the same accident.

The poem is only six lines long, but it packs a powerful punch. Parker's use of irony is particularly effective, as she sets up the reader to expect one outcome, only to deliver a completely different one. The title itself is ironic, as the "unfortunate coincidence" is not what the reader initially expects.

The poem begins with the line "By the time you swear you're his, shivering and sighing," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "swear" implies a sense of commitment and devotion, but the following words "shivering and sighing" suggest a sense of vulnerability and weakness. This contrast between strength and weakness is a recurring theme throughout the poem.

The next line, "And he vows his passion is infinite, undying," continues the theme of commitment and devotion, but the use of the word "vows" suggests a sense of insincerity. The word "passion" also implies a sense of intensity and emotion, but the following words "infinite, undying" suggest a sense of exaggeration and hyperbole.

The third line, "Lady, make a note of this: One of you is lying," is where the poem takes a darker turn. The use of the word "Lady" suggests a sense of condescension and superiority, and the following words "make a note of this" suggest a sense of warning or threat. The line also introduces the idea of deception and betrayal, which becomes a central theme in the rest of the poem.

The fourth line, "And vows his passion is infinite, undying," repeats the same words as the second line, but this time they are spoken by the woman's new partner. This repetition creates a sense of symmetry and balance, but it also suggests a sense of predictability and monotony.

The fifth line, "Lady, make another note: Both of you are lying," is where the poem's irony becomes apparent. The use of the word "another" suggests a sense of repetition, but the following words "both of you are lying" suggest a sense of betrayal and deceit. The line also sets up the reader to expect a tragic ending, as the two lovers are both revealed to be liars.

The final line, "Unfortunate coincidence" is where the poem's true irony lies. The phrase suggests a sense of chance or fate, but it also implies a sense of inevitability. The fact that all three characters are killed in the same accident suggests that their fates were intertwined, and that their lies and betrayals ultimately led to their downfall.

Overall, "Unfortunate Coincidence" is a masterful example of Dorothy Parker's unique style. The poem combines humor, tragedy, and irony in a way that leaves the reader both amused and saddened. The use of repetition, contrast, and symmetry creates a sense of balance and structure, while the use of irony and sarcasm adds depth and complexity. It is a poem that rewards multiple readings, as each time the reader discovers new layers of meaning and significance.

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