'The Second Oldest Story' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeGo I must along my waysThough my heart be ragged,
Dripping bitter through the days,Festering, and jagged.
Smile I must at every twinge,Kiss, to time its throbbing;
He that tears a heart to fringeHates the noise of sobbing.Weep, my love, till Heaven hears;Curse and moan and languish.
While I wash your wound with tears,Ease aloud your anguish.
Bellow of the pit in HellWhere you're made to linger.
There and there and well and well-Did he prick his finger!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Second Oldest Story by Dorothy Parker: A Critical Analysis
Oh, how I love Dorothy Parker! And her poem "The Second Oldest Story" is just amazing. The way she captures the human experience of love and heartbreak in just a few short stanzas is truly remarkable. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into Parker's use of language, structure, and theme to understand the deeper meanings behind this poem.
Language
Parker's use of language in "The Second Oldest Story" is both witty and poignant. She starts by saying, "I loved you, and I love you still." This simple sentence conveys the depth and persistence of her love. The use of the present tense "love" emphasizes that her love for this person is ongoing, even though they are no longer together.
However, Parker is not simply expressing her undying love. She is also acknowledging the pain of the breakup. She says, "I loved you, and I think I will/ Until the day you learn to feel/ The same for me, and come to me/ And prove you love me too." Here, Parker is showing that love is not always reciprocated, and that unrequited love can be painful. Despite this pain, she holds onto the hope that one day, her love will be returned.
Another striking use of language in this poem is Parker's repetition of the phrase "the second oldest story." She says, "But ours is not the oldest love/ The second oldest story." This repetition emphasizes the universality of love and heartbreak. Love has been a part of the human experience for centuries, and Parker is reminding us that our own experiences are not unique.
Structure
The structure of this poem is simple but effective. Parker uses four quatrains, each with a ABAB rhyme scheme. This creates a sense of rhythm and continuity throughout the poem.
However, Parker also plays with this structure. In the second and third stanzas, she repeats the phrase "the second oldest story." This repetition breaks the rhyme scheme, creating a jarring effect. This disruption mirrors the disruption that love and heartbreak can cause in our lives.
The fourth stanza, which is only two lines long, also stands out. Parker says, "So, since this oldest tale must be/ Retold, I'm telling it to you." This stanza brings the poem full circle, emphasizing the universality of the story of love and heartbreak.
Theme
The central theme of "The Second Oldest Story" is love and heartbreak. Parker is exploring the pain and complexity of these emotions, but she is also acknowledging the beauty and depth of love.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is how Parker portrays love as something beyond our control. She says, "I loved you, and I love you still/ But ours is not the oldest love." This implies that love transcends time and individual experience. Love is something that has always existed, and will continue to exist, regardless of our own personal circumstances.
However, Parker also acknowledges the pain of love. She says, "I loved you, and I think I will/ Until the day you learn to feel/ The same for me, and come to me/ And prove you love me too." Here, she is showing the vulnerability that comes with loving someone. Love can be painful, especially when it is unrequited.
Overall, "The Second Oldest Story" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the complexity of love and heartbreak. Parker's use of language, structure, and theme all work together to create a powerful and moving work of art.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Second Oldest Story" is a masterpiece of poetry. Dorothy Parker's use of language, structure, and theme all work together to create a powerful and poignant exploration of love and heartbreak. This poem is a reminder that, despite its pain and complexity, love is a fundamental part of the human experience. And that, my friends, is truly something to marvel at.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through words. One of the most famous poems of all time is "The Second Oldest Story" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a masterpiece that captures the essence of love, loss, and the human experience.
"The Second Oldest Story" is a poem that tells the story of a woman who has lost her lover. The poem begins with the line, "In the beginning, love was a story." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it suggests that love is a tale that has been told many times before. The speaker then goes on to describe how love was once a beautiful story, full of passion and excitement. However, as time passed, the story became old and tired, and the lovers grew apart.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which explores a different aspect of love and loss. The first stanza describes the beginning of the relationship, when love was new and exciting. The second stanza explores the pain of losing a lover, and the third stanza reflects on the inevitability of love and loss.
The first stanza of the poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details. The speaker describes how love was once a story that "sparkled and danced like a flame." This line suggests that love was once full of energy and passion. The speaker goes on to describe how the lovers would "laugh and sing and play," suggesting that their love was full of joy and happiness.
The second stanza of the poem is much darker than the first. The speaker describes how the lovers grew apart, and how the story of their love became old and tired. The line "the story grew old and the flame burned low" suggests that the passion and excitement of the relationship had faded away. The speaker then goes on to describe the pain of losing a lover, saying that "the heart was broken and the tears would flow." This line is particularly powerful, as it captures the raw emotion of heartbreak.
The third stanza of the poem is more reflective than the first two. The speaker acknowledges that love and loss are inevitable, saying that "the story was told, as it had been before." This line suggests that the story of love and loss is a universal one, and that everyone will experience it at some point in their lives. The speaker then goes on to say that "the heart will break and the tears will flow," suggesting that even though love and loss are inevitable, they are still painful.
Overall, "The Second Oldest Story" is a powerful and moving poem that captures the essence of love and loss. The poem is full of vivid imagery and sensory details, which help to bring the story to life. The three stanzas of the poem explore different aspects of love and loss, from the excitement of a new relationship to the pain of losing a lover. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry, and to the enduring nature of the human experience.
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