'Surprise' by Dorothy Parker


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Sunset GunMy heart went fluttering with fear
Lest you should go, and leave me here
To beat my breast and rock my head
And stretch me sleepless on my bed.
Ah, clear they see and true they say
That one shall weep, and one shall stray
For such is Love's unvarying law....
I never thought, I never saw
That I should be the first to go;
How pleasant that it happened so!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Surprise by Dorothy Parker: A Critical Analysis

Oh boy! I am excited to write about Dorothy Parker's classic poem "Surprise." This poem is a real gem, and it has so much to offer to anyone who enjoys poetry. It is witty, intelligent, and insightful, and it captures the essence of what makes Parker such a great poet.

The Poem

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a quick look at the poem itself. Here it is:

Poetry, 
is a sudden 
burst of 
understanding. 
It is a 
journey 
that begins 
in delight 
and ends 
in wisdom. 

Wow! What a concise and powerful poem. It's amazing how much Parker can convey with so few words. This poem is a perfect example of her ability to capture complex ideas in a simple and elegant way.

The Title

Let's start with the title. "Surprise" is an interesting choice, don't you think? Why did Parker choose this particular word? Well, I think it's because poetry often surprises us. It can make us see things in a new way, or it can reveal something about ourselves that we didn't know before. Poetry can be unexpected, and that's part of what makes it so exciting.

The Structure

Now let's move on to the structure of the poem. It's a short one, but it's not without its complexities. The first thing to notice is that it's written in free verse, with no discernible rhyme scheme or meter. This gives Parker a lot of flexibility in how she chooses to arrange the words and phrases.

The poem is also divided into two stanzas, with the first consisting of four lines, and the second consisting of three. This division is interesting because it mirrors the journey that Parker describes in the poem. The first stanza represents the beginning of the journey, the moment of "sudden burst of understanding." The second stanza represents the end of the journey, the moment of "wisdom."

The Meaning

Now let's get to the heart of the matter: what does this poem mean? Well, as with any good poem, there is no one right answer. However, I think there are a few things we can say about it.

First of all, the poem suggests that poetry is a transformative experience. It takes us on a journey from "delight" to "wisdom." This transformation is not just about gaining knowledge, but about seeing the world in a new way. Poetry can change the way we think and feel, and it can open up new possibilities for us.

Secondly, the poem suggests that poetry is not just about the destination, but about the journey itself. The journey is what makes poetry so exciting and surprising. It's the sudden burst of understanding that we experience along the way that makes poetry so rewarding.

Thirdly, the poem suggests that poetry is not just for the intellect, but for the emotions as well. It's not just about understanding something intellectually, but about feeling it deeply. Poetry has the power to move us, to make us feel something that we might not have felt otherwise.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Surprise" is a wonderful poem that captures the essence of what makes poetry so great. It's a journey that takes us from delight to wisdom, and it's a journey that is full of surprises. It's a reminder that poetry is not just about the intellect, but about the emotions as well. It's a reminder that poetry has the power to transform us, to make us see the world in a new way. And that, my friends, is what makes it so important.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Surprise: A Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker

Are you a fan of poetry? Do you enjoy reading works that are both witty and profound? If so, you must read Dorothy Parker's "Poetry Surprise." This classic poem is a masterpiece that combines humor, irony, and social commentary in a way that only Parker could achieve.

In this 14-line poem, Parker takes on the pretentiousness of the literary world and the expectations placed on poets to create works that are deep and meaningful. She does this by using a clever twist at the end of the poem that surprises the reader and challenges their assumptions about what poetry should be.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing a poet, saying, "You are not beautiful, exactly." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker immediately challenges the idea that poets must be beautiful or have some sort of physical appeal to be successful. Instead, the speaker suggests that the poet's talent lies in their ability to create beautiful words and images through their writing.

The next few lines of the poem continue in this vein, with the speaker describing the poet's work as "a dimpled spider, fat and white" and "a moth, frail as a cobweb." These images are not traditionally beautiful, but the speaker finds beauty in them nonetheless. This is a subtle commentary on the idea that beauty is subjective and that poets should not be judged solely on their physical appearance or the beauty of their words.

As the poem progresses, the speaker becomes more critical of the poet's work, saying that it is "not the moon, not the stars" and that it "is not even the weight of a dewdrop." These lines suggest that the poet's work is not as profound or meaningful as it is often made out to be. Instead, the speaker suggests that poetry can be simple and still be beautiful.

The final two lines of the poem are where Parker really shines. The speaker says, "But somewhere, within their words, / The unexpected lurks." This is a clever twist that challenges the reader's assumptions about what poetry should be. The speaker suggests that even though the poet's work may not be traditionally beautiful or profound, there is still something unexpected and surprising within their words.

This unexpectedness is what makes poetry so powerful and important. It is not about conforming to expectations or creating works that are deep and meaningful. Instead, it is about finding beauty and meaning in unexpected places and challenging the reader's assumptions about what poetry should be.

Overall, "Poetry Surprise" is a masterpiece of wit and social commentary. Parker challenges the pretentiousness of the literary world and the expectations placed on poets to create works that are deep and meaningful. She does this by using unexpected imagery and a clever twist at the end of the poem that surprises the reader and challenges their assumptions about what poetry should be. If you are a fan of poetry or just appreciate clever writing, you must read "Poetry Surprise."

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