'Song Of Perfect Propriety' by Dorothy Parker

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Enough Rope1925Oh, I should like to ride the seas,A roaring buccaneer;
A cutlass banging at my knees,A dirk behind my ear.
And when my captives' chains would clankI'd howl with glee and drink,
And then fling out the quivering plankAnd watch the beggars sink.I'd like to straddle gory decks,And dig in laden sands,
And know the feel of throbbing necksBetween my knotted hands.
Oh, I should like to strut and curseAmong my blackguard crew....
But I am writing little verse,As little ladies do.Oh, I should like to dance and laughAnd pose and preen and sway,
And rip the hearts of men in half,And toss the bits away.
I'd like to view the reeling yearsThrough unastonished eyes,
And dip my finger-tips in tears,And give my smiles for sighs.I'd stroll beyond the ancient bounds,And tap at fastened gates,
And hear the prettiest of sound-The clink of shattered fates.
My slaves I'd like to bind with thongsThat cut and burn and chill....
But I am writing little songs,As little ladies will.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Dorothy Parker has left an indelible mark on American literature with her wit, humor, and profound insights into the human condition. Her poem, "Song of Perfect Propriety," is a masterful work that captures the essence of the social expectations and constraints that women faced during the early 20th century. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's central themes, literary techniques, and symbolic imagery, and how they contribute to Parker's overall message.

Analysis

Themes

One of the central themes in "Song of Perfect Propriety" is the pressure that society places on women to conform to a certain standard of behavior and appearance. The poem opens with the speaker describing a woman who is "perfectly gracious," "perfectly groomed," and "perfectly poised." This woman is the embodiment of what society expects of women: to be polite, well-mannered, and attractive.

However, as the poem progresses, we see that this perfect facade is just that - a facade. The woman is "sick to her soul" with the charade she must put on. She is forced to "smile when she's ailing" and "laugh when she's dying inside." This theme of societal pressure and the toll it takes on women is one that Parker explored in many of her works, and "Song of Perfect Propriety" is no exception.

Another theme that runs throughout the poem is the idea of performance. The woman in the poem is constantly performing for others, putting on a show to meet the expectations of those around her. This theme is further emphasized by the poem's structure, which is written in a song-like format. The woman's life is a performance, and the poem itself is a performance of that performance.

Literary Techniques

Parker employs several literary techniques in "Song of Perfect Propriety" to convey her themes and message. One of the most prominent techniques is the use of repetition. The phrase "perfectly" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the woman's need to be flawless in every way. This repetition also serves to highlight the artificiality of the woman's perfection.

Another literary technique that Parker uses is irony. The woman in the poem is described as being "perfectly poised," but we soon learn that she is anything but. She is "dying inside," and her outward appearance is just a mask. This use of irony serves to highlight the discrepancy between societal expectations and the reality of women's lives.

Parker also employs symbolism in the poem. The woman's "little white gloves" and "dainty shoes" are symbols of her adherence to societal expectations. These symbols are further emphasized by the repetition of the phrase "perfectly groomed," which implies that the woman's appearance is the most important thing about her.

Symbolic Imagery

The poem's use of symbolic imagery is particularly effective in conveying its themes. The woman's "little white gloves" and "dainty shoes" are not just symbols of her adherence to societal expectations, but they also represent the constraints that are placed upon her. The gloves and shoes are uncomfortable, and the woman is forced to wear them even when they are causing her pain.

The image of the woman "smiling when she's ailing" and "laughing when she's dying inside" is also powerful. This image conveys the message that women are expected to put on a brave face and hide their true feelings. The woman's smile and laughter are a performance, just like the rest of her life.

Message

The message of "Song of Perfect Propriety" is a bleak one. Parker is highlighting the ways in which society places unrealistic expectations on women, and the toll that this takes on their mental and emotional well-being. The poem is a critique of the social norms and expectations that were prevalent during Parker's time, and it remains relevant today.

Conclusion

"Song of Perfect Propriety" is a masterful work of poetry that explores the societal pressure placed on women to conform to a certain standard of behavior and appearance. Parker's use of repetition, irony, and symbolism is particularly effective in conveying her themes and message. The poem is a powerful critique of the social norms and expectations that women faced during Parker's time, and it remains relevant today.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The Poetry Song of Perfect Propriety by Dorothy Parker is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a witty and satirical take on the societal expectations of women in the early 20th century. The poem is a perfect example of Parker's unique style of writing, which is characterized by her sharp wit, humor, and irony. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and historical context.

The poem is structured as a song, with a chorus that repeats after each verse. The chorus is a satirical take on the expectations of women in society, with lines like "Oh, never say 'I love you, dear,' / Nor sigh that 'You are mine,' / For skirts that trail in the mud, my dear, / Are much too long a line." The chorus sets the tone for the poem, which is a critique of the societal expectations of women.

The first verse of the poem begins with the line "Oh, I should like to ride the seas," which is a metaphor for the desire to break free from societal expectations. The speaker of the poem is a woman who wants to break free from the constraints of society and live life on her own terms. She wants to be free to explore the world and experience new things, but she is held back by the expectations of society.

The second verse of the poem is a critique of the societal expectations of women. The speaker of the poem says that she should "like to run a studio, / And wear her smock and jeans, / And earn her bread, and be alive, / And scrub her fireless floors." This verse is a critique of the idea that women should be confined to domestic roles and not pursue careers or interests outside of the home. The speaker of the poem wants to be free to pursue her passions and make a living for herself.

The third verse of the poem is a critique of the societal expectations of women's appearance. The speaker of the poem says that she should "like to sit and drink my wine / And watch my diamonds grow, / And care not for the meanest fate / That ever man could know." This verse is a critique of the idea that women should be obsessed with their appearance and wear expensive jewelry to impress others. The speaker of the poem wants to be free to enjoy life and not be judged by her appearance.

The fourth verse of the poem is a critique of the societal expectations of women's behavior. The speaker of the poem says that she should "like to sit and scoff at kings, / And listen to the liar, / And mock at pretence and misdeed / And set a torch to fire." This verse is a critique of the idea that women should be polite and submissive and not speak out against injustice. The speaker of the poem wants to be free to speak her mind and challenge authority.

The fifth and final verse of the poem is a call to action. The speaker of the poem says that she will "take my turn at the top of the world, / And know what it is to be free." This verse is a declaration of independence and a rejection of societal expectations. The speaker of the poem wants to be free to live life on her own terms and not be held back by the expectations of society.

The poem is full of literary devices, including metaphors, irony, and satire. The metaphor of riding the seas is used to represent the desire to break free from societal expectations. The use of irony is evident in the chorus, which is a satirical take on the expectations of women in society. The use of satire is evident throughout the poem, as the speaker of the poem critiques the societal expectations of women in a humorous and ironic way.

The historical context of the poem is important to understanding its meaning. The poem was written in the early 20th century, a time when women were expected to conform to strict societal expectations. Women were expected to be polite, submissive, and focused on domestic duties. The poem is a critique of these expectations and a call for women to break free from them and live life on their own terms.

In conclusion, The Poetry Song of Perfect Propriety by Dorothy Parker is a classic poem that critiques the societal expectations of women in the early 20th century. The poem is a call for women to break free from these expectations and live life on their own terms. The use of literary devices such as metaphors, irony, and satire make the poem a witty and humorous critique of societal expectations. The historical context of the poem is important to understanding its meaning and significance. The poem is a testament to Parker's unique style of writing and her ability to use humor and irony to critique societal norms.

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