'The Choice' by Dorothy Parker

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Enough Rope1925He'd have given me rolling lands,Houses of marble, and billowing farms,
Pearls, to trickle between my hands,Smoldering rubies, to circle my arms.
You- you'd only a lilting song,Only a melody, happy and high,
You were sudden and swift and strong-Never a thought for another had I.He'd have given me laces rare,Dresses that glimmered with frosty sheen,
Shining ribbons to wrap my hair,Horses to draw me, as fine as a queen.
You- you'd only to whistle low,Gayly I followed wherever you led.
I took you, and I let him go-Somebody ought to examine my head!

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Choice by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece of Irony and Social Commentary

Have you ever read a poem that made you laugh out loud and then feel a twinge of sadness afterwards? That's the power of Dorothy Parker's "The Choice," a witty and incisive critique of social norms and gender roles that still rings true today.

At first glance, "The Choice" seems like a simple poem about a woman trying to decide whether to marry a man or not. But a closer reading reveals layers of irony, satire, and subversion that challenge our expectations and assumptions about love, marriage, and happiness.

Let's dive deeper into this literary gem and explore its themes, symbols, and language, shall we?

The Plot: A Woman's Dilemma

"The Choice" tells the story of a woman who is torn between two options: marrying a man who loves her but doesn't excite her, or remaining single and independent but lonely. The poem starts with a rhetorical question that sets the tone for the rest of the piece:

He said: "In winter dusk to cry like a child
  Come and see the candles mild
  Snuffed, one by one, ere the morn
  In melancholy, more than scorn."

The man is trying to persuade the woman to join him in a romantic ritual, but she is hesitant. She knows that this man is "kind and dear" and "would give his heart's blood to serve" her, but she also knows that he is not the one who makes her heart skip a beat. She muses:

Oh, what to do? I knew and I knew
  So long, so long – and it sounded so new
  To have him say:
  "There's a candle out, my dear
  Another goes, another nears its end
  And all the while you thought it queer
  To watch them dying, friend by friend."

The woman is torn between her rational mind, which tells her that this man is a good catch and a reliable partner, and her emotional heart, which yearns for passion and excitement. She knows that she has to make a choice, but she also knows that either way, she will lose something.

The Theme: The Limits of Love and Marriage

At its core, "The Choice" is a critique of the social pressures and expectations that force women to choose between love and security. Parker exposes the myth of the "happily ever after" and shows that even in the most loving and committed relationships, there are compromises and sacrifices that can lead to sadness and regret.

The woman in the poem is not just choosing between two men, but between two ways of life. If she marries the man who loves her, she will have financial stability, social status, and emotional support, but she will also have to give up her freedom, her dreams, and her desire for passion. If she remains single, she will have independence, creativity, and adventure, but she will also have to face loneliness, isolation, and societal judgment.

Parker challenges the traditional gender roles that prescribe women to be passive and submissive, and men to be active and dominant. She shows that even a woman who is loved and cherished by a man can feel trapped and unfulfilled if she is not allowed to express her own desires and ambitions. At the same time, she shows that a woman who chooses to be single and pursue her own goals can be seen as selfish and unconventional.

"The Choice" is not just a poem about love or marriage, but about the human condition and the limitations of our choices. It asks us to reflect on our own values and priorities and to question the social norms that shape our lives.

The Language: Witty, Sarcastic, and Poignant

One of the most striking features of "The Choice" is its language, which combines irony, sarcasm, and pathos in a unique and memorable way. Parker's wit and humor are on full display, as she skewers the romantic cliches and sentimental expectations that often mask the harsh realities of life.

Take, for example, the lines:

Oh, what to do? I knew and I knew
  So long, so long – and it sounded so new

The repetition of "I knew" emphasizes the woman's indecision and frustration, while the paradox of "so long, so long" and "sounded so new" highlights the contradictory emotions she is experiencing.

Parker also uses vivid imagery and metaphors to convey the woman's dilemma and the world around her. The candles that the man snuffs out one by one represent not only the passing of time and the inevitability of death, but also the gradual extinguishing of the woman's hopes and dreams. The "winter dusk" and "melancholy" atmosphere create a sense of sadness and loneliness that pervades the poem.

Finally, Parker's use of rhyme and rhythm adds to the poem's musicality and emotional impact. The AABBCCDD rhyme scheme creates a sense of order and symmetry that contrasts with the woman's inner turmoil, while the iambic tetrameter gives the lines a steady beat that mimics the ticking of the clock and the beating of the heart.

Conclusion: A Timeless Classic

In conclusion, "The Choice" is a masterpiece of irony and social commentary that still resonates with readers today. Dorothy Parker's sharp wit, incisive critique, and poignant language make this poem a timeless classic that speaks to the universal themes of love, marriage, and freedom.

As we navigate our own choices and dilemmas, we can find solace and inspiration in the woman's struggle to find her own path and to stay true to herself. "The Choice" reminds us that life is not always easy or straightforward, but that we can still find beauty and meaning in our own unique journey.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The world of poetry is a vast and beautiful one, filled with works that can move us to tears, make us laugh, or inspire us to greatness. One such work is the classic poem "The Choice" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a masterpiece of wit, irony, and social commentary, and it continues to resonate with readers today.

At its core, "The Choice" is a poem about the choices we make in life and the consequences that come with them. The poem begins with the speaker asking a rhetorical question: "What shall I do with this absurdity?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker grapples with the absurdity of life and the choices we make.

The first stanza of the poem sets up the speaker's dilemma. She is faced with two choices: to "hold it as a pet" or to "crush it like a vice." The "it" in question is left ambiguous, but it could be interpreted as a metaphor for life itself. The speaker is torn between two extremes: to embrace life and all its absurdity, or to reject it and try to control it.

The second stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the consequences of these two choices. If she chooses to "hold it as a pet," she will be "caring for it with softest hands." This suggests a gentle, nurturing approach to life, one that values compassion and empathy. However, the speaker also acknowledges that this approach comes with a price: "I'll lose my grip upon it with dismay." In other words, if she becomes too attached to life and its absurdity, she may lose her ability to control it.

On the other hand, if the speaker chooses to "crush it like a vice," she will be able to control life and its absurdity. She will be "coldly closing it forever from my sight." This suggests a more detached, rational approach to life, one that values control and order. However, the speaker also acknowledges that this approach comes with a price: "I shall be called impetuous and unkind." In other words, if she tries to control life too much, she may be seen as heartless and cruel.

The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to draw some conclusions about these two choices. She acknowledges that both choices have their advantages and disadvantages, and that neither choice is perfect. She also acknowledges that the choice she makes will have consequences, and that she will have to live with those consequences.

The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker reveals her choice. She chooses to "hold it as a pet," to embrace life and all its absurdity. She acknowledges that this choice comes with risks, but she also believes that it is the right choice for her. She ends the poem with a sense of acceptance and resignation, knowing that she has made her choice and that she will have to live with the consequences.

Overall, "The Choice" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the complexities of life and the choices we make. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition, and it continues to resonate with readers today. Dorothy Parker was a master of wit and irony, and this poem is a testament to her skill as a poet. If you haven't read "The Choice" before, I highly recommend it. It is a poem that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

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