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'Sonnet On An Alpine Night' by Dorothy Parker


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Death and Taxes1931My hand, a little raised, might press a star-
Where I may look, the frosted peaks are spun,
So shaped before Olympus was begun,
Spanned each to each, now, by a silver bar.
Thus to face Beauty have I traveled far,
But now, as if around my heart were run
Hard, lacing fingers, so I stand undone.
Of all my tears, the bitterest these are.Who humbly followed Beauty all her ways,
Begging the brambles that her robe had passed,
Crying her name in corridors of stone,
That day shall know his weariedest of days -
When Beauty, still and suppliant at last,
Does not suffice him, once they are alone.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet On An Alpine Night: A Poetic Masterpiece of Dorothy Parker

Introduction

Poetry is an art form that has the power to evoke emotions, paint vivid pictures in the reader’s mind, and convey deep meanings through the clever use of words. Dorothy Parker, a celebrated American poet, short story writer, and critic, was a master of this art form. Her poem, “Sonnet On An Alpine Night,” is a fine example of her prowess in poetry. This 14-line poem is full of imagery, emotions, and symbolism that make it a classic work of poetry. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the various aspects of this poem and analyze its meaning and significance.

Summary

“Sonnet On An Alpine Night” is a sonnet, a 14-line poem that follows a strict rhyme scheme and rhythm. The poem is set in the Alps on a cold winter night, and the speaker of the poem is looking at the stars. The poem is divided into two quatrains and two tercets. In the first quatrain, the speaker describes the beauty of the night sky and the stars. In the second quatrain, the speaker talks about the cold and the snow. The first tercet talks about the beauty of nature, while the second tercet is a reflection on the beauty of life.

Analysis

The poem starts with the line, “Now dark and cold the dawn;” This line sets the somber mood of the poem. The speaker describes the night as “dark and cold,” which creates a sense of isolation and loneliness. However, the mood changes as the speaker looks up at the stars. The second line reads, “Ours the arctic night,” which seems to suggest that the speaker is in a place where there is no light pollution, and the stars shine brightly. The use of the word “arctic” also suggests a desolate and remote place, which adds to the sense of seclusion.

The next line reads, “No sound, no sight save flake of snow.” This line emphasizes the silence of the night, and the sound of snowflakes falling is the only thing that breaks it. The line also creates an image of snowfall, which is a symbol of purity and innocence. The snow also creates a contrast with the darkness of the night. The next line reads, “And ice that reflects the moon’s pale glow.” This line describes the reflection of the moon on the ice, creating a beautiful image in the reader’s mind. The use of the word “pale” to describe the moon’s glow creates a sense of fragility and delicacy, which adds to the beauty of the scene.

The second quatrain starts with the line, “Blue-black the sky that spreads above my head.” This line contrasts with the previous line, which talked about the moon’s pale glow. The use of the word “blue-black” suggests a dark and forbidding sky, which creates a sense of foreboding. The speaker then talks about the snow, saying, “The lone bleak track, the gulf that lies below.” This line creates an image of a desolate landscape covered in snow. The use of the word “gulf” suggests a deep and dark hole, which adds to the sense of foreboding.

The first tercet starts with the line, “Stillness. . . A dead, gray world.” This line emphasizes the silence of the night and the desolation of the landscape. The use of the word “dead” suggests a lifeless and barren world, which adds to the sense of isolation. However, the next line reads, “Yet there the starry heavens unfurled.” This line contrasts with the previous line, suggesting that even in a barren and lifeless world, there is still beauty to be found. The use of the word “unfurled” suggests the opening of something, which creates an image of the stars spreading out like a cloth.

The second tercet starts with the line, “Thus do I wait, and watch, and long, and fear.” This line suggests that the speaker is waiting for something, but is also afraid of what might happen. The use of the word “long” suggests a sense of longing, which adds to the sense of isolation. However, the next line reads, “Time goes, nor doth the night.” This line suggests that time passes, but the night remains the same, creating a sense of timelessness. The final line reads, “What if the stars should fade away in light?” This line is a rhetorical question that suggests that even if the stars were to fade away, the beauty of the night would still remain.

Conclusion

“Sonnet On An Alpine Night” is a beautiful poem that evokes emotions and creates vivid images in the reader’s mind. Dorothy Parker’s use of imagery, symbolism, and rhythm make this poem a classic work of poetry. The poem captures the beauty of nature and the human condition, and creates a sense of isolation and loneliness that is both haunting and beautiful. The poem is a testament to Parker’s skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of human experience in her work.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

On An Alpine Night: A Masterpiece of Poetry by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and satirical writing style. However, her poem "On An Alpine Night" is a departure from her usual style, as it is a beautiful and haunting sonnet that captures the essence of nature and the human experience. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.

The Poem

Before we delve into the analysis, let's first read the poem in its entirety:

Before the night was fit to wear,
Drowsy, like loveliness half-roused,
The trees, in one last quiet, stirred,
And in the wood, a bird.

The moon, like something buried deep,
A silver spade had laid away,
Yet to be brought again to light,
Had left the sky at end of day.

And in the meadow, far below,
The cowbells tinkled, sweet and slow.

Structure and Form

"On An Alpine Night" is a sonnet, a fourteen-line poem with a specific rhyme scheme and meter. The poem follows the traditional structure of a sonnet, with three quatrains (four-line stanzas) and a final couplet (two-line stanza). The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with each line written in iambic pentameter, which means that each line has ten syllables with a pattern of unstressed and stressed syllables. This strict structure and form give the poem a sense of balance and harmony, which is fitting for a poem that celebrates the beauty of nature.

Themes and Analysis

The poem's title, "On An Alpine Night," sets the scene for the poem, which takes place in the mountains at night. The poem's themes revolve around nature, time, and the human experience.

The first quatrain sets the scene, describing the night as "fit to wear" and "drowsy, like loveliness half-roused." This personification of the night sets a dreamy and peaceful tone for the poem. The trees are described as stirring "in one last quiet," which suggests that they are preparing for the night ahead. The final line of the quatrain introduces the bird, which is a common symbol of freedom and transcendence in literature.

The second quatrain describes the moon as "something buried deep" and "laid away" by a "silver spade." This metaphor suggests that the moon is hidden from view, waiting to be revealed again. The moon's absence creates a sense of mystery and anticipation, as if something magical is about to happen. The final line of the quatrain suggests that the moon will return "at end of day," which reinforces the idea of time passing and cycles repeating.

The third quatrain shifts the focus to the meadow below, where the cowbells are "tinkled, sweet and slow." This line creates a sense of tranquility and peace, as if the world is in harmony. The use of the word "sweet" suggests that the sound of the cowbells is pleasing to the ear, and the slow pace of the tinkling reinforces the idea of time passing slowly and peacefully.

The final couplet brings the poem to a close, with a simple and powerful statement: "And in the meadow, far below, / The cowbells tinkled, sweet and slow." This repetition of the third quatrain reinforces the idea of cycles repeating and time passing. The final line of the poem suggests that the beauty of nature is eternal and unchanging, even as the world around us changes.

Literary Devices

"On An Alpine Night" is full of literary devices that enhance the poem's themes and structure. Here are some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem:

Conclusion

"On An Alpine Night" is a masterpiece of poetry that captures the beauty of nature and the human experience. Dorothy Parker's use of structure, form, and literary devices creates a sense of balance and harmony that is fitting for a poem that celebrates the natural world. The poem's themes of time, cycles, and the eternal beauty of nature are timeless and universal, making this poem a classic that will continue to inspire readers for generations to come.

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