'Sweet Violets' by Dorothy Parker

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Death and Taxes1931You are brief and frail and blue-Little sisters, I am, too.
You are Heaven's masterpieces-Little loves, the likeness ceases.

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Sweet Violets" by Dorothy Parker

Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with this poem? "Sweet Violets" by Dorothy Parker is an absolute masterpiece. From the very first line, Parker weaves a tale of love and loss that will resonate with readers for generations to come.

The poem is structured in four stanzas of four lines each, with a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. This gives the poem a sense of musicality, and allows Parker to create a sense of rhythm that draws the reader in and keeps them engaged.

Let's take a closer look at each stanza and see what we can learn about Parker's message.

Stanza One

"Sweet, sweet violets, / sweeter than all the roses, / covered all over from head to toe, / covered all over with sweet violets."

Right off the bat, Parker sets the scene with a description of sweet violets that are even sweeter than roses. This immediately creates a sense of beauty and romance, as the reader can imagine a field of violets that is simply breathtaking.

But there's more to it than that. By saying that the violets are "covered all over from head to toe," Parker is also creating a sense of suffocation or overwhelm. The violets are so abundant that they are almost too much to handle. This sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the idea of love being overwhelming and all-consuming.

Stanza Two

"Every day, every night, / always the same, / always a delight, / every day, every night, / sweet violets."

In the second stanza, Parker continues the idea of the violets being a constant presence. The repetition of "every day, every night" creates a sense of routine and familiarity, while the phrase "always a delight" reinforces the idea that the violets are something to be cherished and enjoyed.

But there's also a hint of melancholy here. The fact that the violets are always the same suggests that nothing ever changes. This could be interpreted as a commentary on the monotony of love, or the fear of being stuck in a rut.

Stanza Three

"Once in a dream I met him / long ago and far away, / all the sweet violets were in bloom / and the world was young in May."

Here, Parker introduces a narrative element to the poem. She describes a dream in which she meets someone special, and the world is full of sweet violets in bloom.

The dreamlike quality of this stanza creates a sense of nostalgia and longing. By placing the meeting "long ago and far away," Parker suggests that this moment is something that can never be recaptured. The fact that it takes place in May, a month associated with spring and new beginnings, reinforces the idea of missed opportunities and lost chances.

Stanza Four

"I woke from the dream, I cried, / ah me! ah me! / Just as the dawn was grey, / I woke from the dream, I cried, / sweet violets."

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as Parker returns to the idea of waking up from the dream. The repetition of "I woke from the dream, I cried" creates a sense of desperation and sadness, as if the dream was the only thing that gave the speaker hope.

But there's also a sense of acceptance here. By ending the poem with "sweet violets," Parker suggests that even though the dream is over, there is still beauty and sweetness to be found in the world.

Interpretation

So what does it all mean? "Sweet Violets" is a poem about the beauty and tragedy of love. Parker uses the image of the violets to explore the idea of love as something overwhelming and suffocating, but also beautiful and worth cherishing.

The dream sequence in the third stanza adds a layer of complexity to the poem. It suggests that the speaker has experienced love before, but it was something that was fleeting and unattainable. The fact that the dream takes place in May, a month associated with new beginnings, reinforces the idea that love is something that can be elusive and hard to hold onto.

Overall, "Sweet Violets" is a stunning example of Parker's ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in just a few lines of poetry. It is a poem that will continue to resonate with readers for years to come, as it speaks to the universal experiences of love, loss, and longing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Sweet Violets: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American writer, poet, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on the human condition. Her poem "Sweet Violets" is a prime example of her mastery of irony and satire. In this 16-line poem, Parker takes a seemingly innocent subject, the gift of flowers, and turns it into a scathing critique of human nature and societal norms.

The poem begins with the speaker receiving a bouquet of sweet violets from her lover. The violets, which are traditionally associated with love and affection, are described as "dank" and "dead-looking." This initial description sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with dark humor and irony.

The second stanza introduces the speaker's friend, who is also the recipient of a bouquet of violets. However, unlike the speaker, the friend is thrilled with her gift and describes the violets as "lovely." This contrast between the two women highlights the subjective nature of beauty and the power of societal expectations. The speaker, who is more cynical and jaded, sees the violets for what they are, while the friend, who is more conformist, sees them as beautiful simply because they are a gift from a man.

The third stanza is where the poem takes a darker turn. The speaker reveals that the violets were picked by "a dead man" and that they are "rotten." This revelation is shocking and disturbing, and it completely changes the meaning of the poem. The violets, which were once a symbol of love and affection, are now tainted by death and decay. The fact that they were picked by a dead man adds an eerie and unsettling element to the poem.

The fourth and final stanza is where Parker's satire really shines. The speaker imagines a scenario where the friend's lover is also dead and has sent her a bouquet of violets. The friend, who is still under the spell of societal norms, would still find the violets "lovely" even if they were picked by a dead man. This scenario highlights the absurdity of societal expectations and the power of conformity. The friend's love for the violets is not based on their inherent beauty or value but on the fact that they are a gift from a man.

Overall, "Sweet Violets" is a masterpiece of irony and satire. Parker takes a seemingly innocent subject and turns it into a scathing critique of human nature and societal norms. The poem is filled with dark humor and irony, and the final stanza is particularly powerful in its condemnation of conformity and societal expectations. Parker's use of language and imagery is masterful, and the poem is a testament to her skill as a writer and poet.

In conclusion, "Sweet Violets" is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, satire, or social commentary. It is a timeless work that still resonates today, and it serves as a reminder that beauty is not always what it seems. Parker's wit and insight are on full display in this poem, and it is a testament to her enduring legacy as one of the greatest writers of the 20th century.

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