'Tombstones In The Starlight' by Dorothy Parker

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Death and Taxes1931I. The Minor PoetHis little trills and chirpings were his best.No music like the nightingale's was born
Within his throat;but he, too, laid his breastUpon a thorn.II. The Pretty LadyShe hated bleak and wintry things alone.All that was warm and quick, she loved too well-
A light, a flame, a heart against her own;It is forever bitter cold, in Hell.III. The Very Rich ManHe'd have the best, and that was none too good;No barrier could hold, before his terms.
He lies below, correct in cypress wood,And entertains the most exclusive worms.IV. The FisherwomanThe man she had was kind and cleanAnd well enough for every day,
But, oh, dear friends, you should have seenThe one that got away!V. The CrusaderArrived in Heaven, when his sands were run,He seized a quill, and sat him down to tell
The local press that something should be doneAbout that noisy nuisance, Gabriel.Vl. The ActressHer name, cut clear upon this marble cross,Shines, as it shone when she was still on earth;
While tenderly the mild, agreeable mossObscures the figures of her date of birth.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Tombstones In The Starlight: A Literary Criticism

Dorothy Parker's "Tombstones In The Starlight" is a poem that captures the essence of gloom and despair with sharp and vivid images. It is a work of art that depicts the sense of emptiness and sorrow that lingers long after the end of a love affair. The poem's hauntingly beautiful language and imagery create a mood that grips the reader, leaving them with a sense of loss and longing.

Form and Structure

"Tombstones In The Starlight" is a free verse poem, lacking a fixed rhyme and meter scheme. The poem consists of five stanzas, each with four lines. The first and third lines of each stanza are longer than the second and fourth, creating a pattern of variation in line length. This structure gives the poem a flowing, narrative-like quality that mimics the natural rhythms of speech.

Themes

The central theme of "Tombstones In The Starlight" is the aftermath of a failed love affair. The poem explores the emotions that arise from the end of a relationship that once held so much hope and promise. Parker uses the image of a cemetery to symbolize the death of the relationship, and the tombstones as the memories of what once was. The stars represent the hope that still exists, but the darkness surrounding them signifies the overwhelming sense of loss and sadness.

Another theme that runs through the poem is the concept of time. Parker suggests that time is the great equalizer, and that no matter how much we try to hold onto the past, it will inevitably slip away. The final stanza of the poem suggests that even death cannot erase the memories of the past, and that the pain of lost love will continue to haunt us for eternity.

Imagery and Symbolism

The imagery in "Tombstones In The Starlight" is both vivid and haunting. Parker creates a sense of foreboding from the very beginning of the poem, with the opening line, "The things I could have been and done." The image of the cemetery conjures up feelings of death and finality. The tombstones represent the memories of the past, and the stars symbolize the hope that still exists, but is obscured by the darkness.

Parker also uses colors to create mood and atmosphere. The darkness of the night creates a sense of foreboding, while the pale moonlight and stars offer a glimmer of hope. The colors of the tombstones, black and white, represent the duality of life and death, and the fact that even in death, memories still exist.

Tone and Mood

The tone of "Tombstones In The Starlight" is one of melancholy and regret. Parker's use of language creates a sense of loss and sadness that is palpable throughout the poem. The mood is somber and introspective, with a sense of resignation that there is no going back to what once was.

Literary Devices

Parker uses a variety of literary devices to create the mood and atmosphere of "Tombstones In The Starlight". Alliteration is used in lines such as "the starlight and the moon," which creates a sense of rhythm and musicality. Repetition is also used throughout the poem, with the phrase "I could have" repeated in each stanza. This repetition emphasizes the speaker's sense of regret and missed opportunities.

Parker also uses metaphor to create vivid images. The cemetery and tombstones represent the death of the relationship, while the stars represent the hope that still exists. The use of metaphor allows Parker to convey complex emotions in a simple and evocative way.

Conclusion

In "Tombstones In The Starlight", Dorothy Parker has created a hauntingly beautiful poem that captures the essence of lost love. The imagery and symbolism used throughout the poem create a sense of finality and regret, while the rhythm and repetition of the language reinforces the speaker's sense of missed opportunities. The poem is a powerful reminder of the pain of lost love, and the fact that even in death, memories still linger.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Tombstones In The Starlight: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Classic

Dorothy Parker is a name that is synonymous with wit, humor, and satire. Her works have been celebrated for their sharpness and incisiveness, and her poetry is no exception. One of her most famous poems, "Tombstones In The Starlight," is a haunting and evocative piece that explores the themes of death, loss, and the transience of life. In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's structure, language, and imagery to uncover its deeper meanings and significance.

Structure

"Tombstones In The Starlight" is a short poem, consisting of only six lines. However, despite its brevity, the poem is structured in a way that creates a powerful impact on the reader. The first three lines describe the setting of the poem: a cemetery at night, with tombstones illuminated by the light of the stars. The second three lines introduce the central theme of the poem: the inevitability of death and the fleeting nature of life. The poem's structure is simple, but effective, with each line building on the previous one to create a sense of foreboding and melancholy.

Language

Parker's use of language in "Tombstones In The Starlight" is sparse but powerful. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter. This lack of structure gives the poem a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion. The language itself is simple and direct, with no unnecessary words or flourishes. The poem's opening lines, "The thing that most torments us is a thing / That is most common," are a perfect example of Parker's ability to convey complex ideas in a few words. The use of the word "torments" suggests a deep emotional pain, while the phrase "most common" highlights the universality of the human experience of loss and grief.

Imagery

The imagery in "Tombstones In The Starlight" is vivid and evocative. The opening lines paint a picture of a cemetery at night, with tombstones illuminated by the light of the stars. This image is both beautiful and eerie, suggesting a sense of otherworldliness and the supernatural. The use of the word "starlight" is particularly effective, as it suggests a sense of hope and wonder in the face of death. However, this sense of hope is quickly undercut by the poem's central theme: the inevitability of death and the transience of life. The final lines of the poem, "We know that some time we must die, / But which, we know not," are a stark reminder of our own mortality and the uncertainty of our fate.

Themes

The themes of "Tombstones In The Starlight" are universal and timeless. The poem explores the human experience of loss and grief, as well as the inevitability of death. The image of the cemetery at night suggests a sense of loneliness and isolation, while the illuminated tombstones suggest a sense of hope and wonder. However, this hope is quickly undercut by the poem's central theme: the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The final lines of the poem suggest that death is an unknown and unpredictable force, and that we must all face it eventually.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Tombstones In The Starlight" is a haunting and evocative poem that explores the themes of death, loss, and the transience of life. Parker's use of language and imagery is simple but powerful, creating a sense of foreboding and melancholy. The poem's structure is simple but effective, with each line building on the previous one to create a powerful impact on the reader. Ultimately, "Tombstones In The Starlight" is a reminder of our own mortality and the uncertainty of our fate, and a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.

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