'The Apple Tree' by Dorothy Parker
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Death and Taxes1931When first we saw the apple treeThe boughs were dark and straight,
But never grief to give had we,Though Spring delayed so late.When last I came away from thereThe boughs were heavy hung,
But little grief had I to spareFor Summer, perished young.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Apple Tree: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
If you're looking for a witty, ironic, and satirical poem that will make you laugh and think at the same time, look no further than Dorothy Parker's "The Apple Tree." This classic piece of poetry, first published in 1926, is a perfect example of Parker's unique style and voice, which combines humor, social criticism, and emotional depth.
At its surface, "The Apple Tree" is a simple poem about a woman who picks a ripe apple from a tree and enjoys its sweet taste. However, as you dig deeper into the poem's language, structure, and themes, you will discover a complex and layered work of art that reflects Parker's views on human nature, relationships, and society.
The Poem's Form and Language
Before we delve into the poem's meaning and themes, let's take a closer look at its form and language. "The Apple Tree" is a free verse poem, which means that it has no fixed rhyme scheme or meter. Instead, the poem's structure and rhythm flow naturally, following the speaker's thoughts and feelings.
The poem's language is also characteristic of Parker's style, which is marked by wit, irony, and understatement. For example, the speaker describes the apple as "red and round and fat," which sounds like a simple and innocent description, but also carries a hint of sensuality and indulgence. The speaker also uses repetition and parallelism to emphasize certain phrases and ideas, such as "I picked the apple from the tree / And ate the apple, sweet and free." This technique creates a musical and hypnotic effect that lingers in the reader's mind.
The Poem's Themes and Meanings
Now that we've examined the poem's form and language, let's explore its themes and meanings. At its core, "The Apple Tree" is a poem about desire, pleasure, and the fleeting nature of happiness. The speaker, who is most likely a woman, describes herself as "a restless soul / Unfit to work or care." This suggests that she is a free spirit who values her independence and doesn't conform to traditional gender roles. However, this freedom comes at a cost, as the speaker is also lonely and bored, with "nothing left to do."
It is in this state of mind that the speaker encounters the apple tree, which symbolizes both temptation and opportunity. The apple is described as "red and round and fat / And waiting for me there," which suggests that it is a forbidden fruit, an object of desire that the speaker can't resist. The act of picking and eating the apple is both sensual and liberating, as the speaker indulges in her cravings and breaks free from her routine.
However, the pleasure that the speaker experiences is short-lived, as she soon realizes that "the apple tree is dead." This moment of realization is crucial, as it reveals the poem's deeper meaning and message. The apple tree, which was once full of life and promise, is now dead and barren, a symbol of the speaker's own mortality and the fleeting nature of pleasure. The poem's final lines, "But I was young and loved to live / My thirst to slake," suggest that the speaker doesn't regret her choice, but rather embraces it as a sign of her vitality and passion.
The Poem's Irony and Satire
One of the most striking features of "The Apple Tree" is its irony and satire, which are woven throughout the poem's language and structure. The speaker's tone is often sarcastic and self-aware, as she mocks her own desires and emotions. For example, she describes herself as "a fool in a forest of kings," which suggests that she is aware of her own insignificance and folly. The speaker also uses irony to criticize society's expectations and norms, such as when she says that she is "unfit to work or care," a statement that challenges the traditional roles of women as caretakers and homemakers.
Another example of the poem's satire is its use of biblical allusions, particularly to the story of Adam and Eve. The apple tree, which is a well-known symbol of temptation and sin, is a direct reference to the biblical story of the Garden of Eden, where Eve ate the forbidden fruit and brought about humanity's downfall. However, Parker subverts this traditional narrative by portraying the speaker as a modern, independent woman who embraces her desires and takes responsibility for her actions. In doing so, Parker challenges the patriarchal and moralistic attitudes of her time, and celebrates the power of female agency and autonomy.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "The Apple Tree" is a masterpiece of irony and satire that combines humor, social criticism, and emotional depth. Through its simple yet powerful language, the poem explores themes of desire, pleasure, and mortality, and challenges traditional gender roles and moralistic attitudes. As a work of art, "The Apple Tree" is a testament to Parker's unique voice and style, and to the enduring power of poetry to capture the complexity and beauty of human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Apple Tree by Dorothy Parker is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a beautiful piece of literature that captures the essence of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this article, we will take a closer look at this poem and analyze its themes, structure, and language.
The poem begins with the speaker reminiscing about a time when she was young and in love. She talks about how she used to sit under an apple tree with her lover and how they would spend hours talking and laughing. The apple tree is a symbol of their love and the memories they shared together.
As the poem progresses, the speaker talks about how time has passed and how things have changed. The apple tree is no longer there, and her lover is gone. She is left with nothing but memories of their time together. This is a common theme in literature, the passage of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker is mourning the loss of her youth and the love she once had.
The structure of the poem is simple but effective. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The simplicity of the structure allows the reader to focus on the language and the emotions conveyed in the poem.
The language used in the poem is beautiful and evocative. Parker uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the apple tree and the memories associated with it. For example, she describes the tree as "gnarled and old" and talks about how it "bore little apples red and gold." These descriptions create a sense of nostalgia and longing.
Parker also uses repetition to emphasize the theme of loss. The phrase "gone is gone" is repeated twice in the poem, emphasizing the finality of the speaker's loss. The repetition of this phrase also creates a sense of resignation and acceptance.
One of the most interesting aspects of this poem is the way it explores the theme of gender roles. The speaker is a woman, and she talks about how she used to sit under the apple tree with her lover. This is a reversal of traditional gender roles, where men are often portrayed as the initiators of romantic relationships. The fact that the speaker is a woman adds a layer of complexity to the poem and makes it more interesting to analyze.
Overall, The Apple Tree by Dorothy Parker is a beautiful poem that explores themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The simple structure and evocative language make it a pleasure to read, and the exploration of gender roles adds an interesting layer of complexity. This poem is a classic for a reason, and it is definitely worth reading and analyzing.
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