'Story' by Dorothy Parker

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Sunset Rope"And if he's gone away," said she,
"Good riddance, if you're asking me.
I'm not a one to lie awake
And weep for anybody's sake.
There's better lads than him about!
I'll wear my buckled slippers out
A-dancing till the break of day.
I'm better off with him away!
And if he never come," said she,
"Now what on earth is that to me?
I wouldn't have him back!"I hope
Her mother washed her mouth with soap.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Dorothy Parker's "Poetry, Story": A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire

Dorothy Parker's "Poetry, Story" is a witty and poignant satire that explores the contradictions and absurdities of the literary world. Written in Parker's characteristic style of biting irony and dark humor, the story exposes the pretensions and delusions of writers and critics alike, while also reflecting on the human need for self-expression and validation.

At its core, "Poetry, Story" is a parody of the traditional Romantic ideal of the artist as a tortured, inspired genius. The protagonist, Miss Ogilvy, is a mediocre poet who aspires to greatness but lacks the talent and originality to achieve it. She is convinced that her work is profound and meaningful, but in reality, it is banal and derivative. Her poems are full of clichés and sentimental platitudes, such as "Love is a rose" and "Life is a journey." Despite the obvious flaws in her writing, Miss Ogilvy believes that she is a misunderstood genius, and she seeks recognition and validation from the literary establishment.

Parker's depiction of Miss Ogilvy is both hilarious and heartbreaking. On the one hand, we laugh at her absurd delusions and her desperate attempts to impress the literary elite. On the other hand, we sympathize with her need for recognition and her fear of being forgotten. In a sense, Miss Ogilvy represents all of us who have ever yearned for approval and validation from others, especially in the realm of art and creativity.

One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry, Story" is the way in which Parker uses language and structure to convey her message. The story is written in a fragmented, disjointed style, with abrupt shifts in tense and perspective. This reflects the chaotic and unstable nature of Miss Ogilvy's mind, as well as the dizzying world of literary politics and fads. Parker also uses repetition and parody to highlight the clichés and hackneyed phrases that dominate the world of poetry. For example, Miss Ogilvy's poem "The Dreamer" is a parody of the Romantic ideal of the poet as a visionary dreamer:

He is a dreamer, and he dreams Of azure skies and golden beams; Of silken robes and jeweled things, Of palaces and courts of kings.

He is a dreamer, and he sees The world as it might be, and he frees His soul from earthly chains and bars, And soars aloft to catch the stars.

This poem is full of the same tired imagery and sentimentalism that Miss Ogilvy critiques in her fellow poets. Parker's use of parody and repetition is a powerful tool for exposing the clichés and conventions of the literary world, and for highlighting the absurdity of the Romantic ideal.

Another key theme in "Poetry, Story" is the tension between commercial success and artistic integrity. Miss Ogilvy is torn between her desire for fame and her belief in the purity and authenticity of art. She is repelled by the crass commercialism of the literary world, and she scorns those writers who are willing to compromise their principles for the sake of popularity. At the same time, however, she longs for recognition and struggles to balance her artistic ideals with the harsh realities of the marketplace.

This tension is embodied in the character of Mr. Weil, a cynical publisher who offers Miss Ogilvy a contract for her poems. Mr. Weil represents the dark side of the literary world, where art is reduced to a commodity and success is defined by sales figures. He is a manipulative and ruthless figure who preys on the insecurities and vulnerabilities of writers, exploiting their dreams in order to make a profit. His offer to publish Miss Ogilvy's poems is a tempting proposition, but it also represents a betrayal of her artistic principles.

In the end, Miss Ogilvy must choose between these two competing visions of art and success. She must decide whether to compromise her integrity for the sake of recognition, or to remain true to her ideals and accept the obscurity that comes with it. This is a dilemma that all artists face at some point in their careers, and Parker's story captures the essence of this struggle with great insight and empathy.

Ultimately, "Poetry, Story" is a deeply ironic and satirical work that exposes the contradictions and absurdities of the literary world. It is a brilliant commentary on the nature of art and the human need for self-expression and validation. Through her sharp wit and penetrating insight, Dorothy Parker has created a masterpiece of modern literature that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dorothy Parker’s “Poetry” is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. The poem is a satirical take on the world of poetry and the people who write it. It is a witty and humorous commentary on the pretentiousness and self-importance of poets and their work. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of the poem, and how they contribute to its overall meaning.

The poem is structured in three stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is AABB, which gives the poem a sing-song quality. The use of rhyme also adds to the satirical tone of the poem, as it makes the poem sound like a nursery rhyme or a children’s song. This is a deliberate choice by Parker, as it adds to the overall irony of the poem.

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Parker writes, “I too, dislike it: there are things that are important beyond all this fiddle.” Here, she is referring to poetry and how she dislikes it. However, she goes on to say that there are things that are more important than poetry. This is a clever way of introducing the theme of the poem, which is the idea that poetry is not as important as poets make it out to be.

In the second stanza, Parker takes aim at the poets themselves. She writes, “yet it is true, / poetry is delicious; the trouble is that poets / take themselves so seriously.” Here, she is saying that poetry can be enjoyable, but the problem is with the poets themselves. They take themselves too seriously and think that their work is more important than it really is. This is a common criticism of poets, and Parker is using it to poke fun at their self-importance.

The third stanza is where Parker really lets loose. She writes, “they’d have to find something else to write about, / and that would be quite a task.” Here, she is saying that if poets stopped writing about poetry, they would have nothing else to write about. This is a humorous way of pointing out the fact that poets often write about the same things over and over again. They are limited in their subject matter and often rely on clichés and tired tropes.

The language of the poem is simple and straightforward, but it is also clever and witty. Parker uses irony and sarcasm to make her point. For example, when she says that poetry is “delicious,” she is using a word that is usually associated with food to describe something that is not tangible. This is a clever way of showing how poets often use flowery language to describe their work.

Another example of Parker’s use of language is when she says that poets “take themselves so seriously.” This is a common phrase, but in the context of the poem, it takes on a new meaning. Parker is saying that poets are so self-important that they cannot see the humor in their own work.

The theme of the poem is the idea that poetry is not as important as poets make it out to be. Parker is saying that poets are too self-important and that they need to take a step back and realize that their work is not the be-all and end-all of the world. This is a common criticism of poets, and Parker is using her wit and humor to make her point.

In conclusion, Dorothy Parker’s “Poetry” is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. The poem is a satirical take on the world of poetry and the people who write it. It is a witty and humorous commentary on the pretentiousness and self-importance of poets and their work. The structure, language, and themes of the poem all contribute to its overall meaning, which is the idea that poetry is not as important as poets make it out to be. Parker’s use of irony, sarcasm, and clever wordplay make the poem a joy to read, and its message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written.

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