'Song In A Minor Key' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1926There's a place I know where the birds swing low,
And wayward vines go roaming,
Where the lilacs nod, and a marble god
Is pale, in scented gloaming.
And at sunset there comes a lady fair
Whose eyes are deep with yearning.
By an old, old gate does the lady wait
Her own true love's returning.But the days go by, and the lilacs die,
And trembling birds seek cover;
Yet the lady stands, with her long white hands
Held out to greet her lover.
And it's there she'll stay till the shadowy day
A monument they grave her.
She will always wait by the same old gate, --
The gate her true love gave her.
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Song in a Minor Key" by Dorothy Parker: A Poem of Love and Loss
Dorothy Parker is one of the most renowned American poets of the 20th century. Her poetry is known for its wit, humor, and biting social commentary. Among her most famous works is "Song in a Minor Key," a heartbreaking poem about the pain of lost love.
A Brief Summary of "Song in a Minor Key"
The poem is structured in three stanzas, each consisting of four lines. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker lamenting the loss of her lover:
I wanted to be sure to reach you;
In some moorish town where everyone
Falls asleep during the day and rises
At midnight, takes a siesta, and then goes on.
The second stanza continues in this vein, with the speaker describing her longing for her lover:
I wanted to be sure to reach you;
In some morose setting of the mind,
Where love never dies completely,
And the dying itself leaves off behind.
The final stanza offers a glimmer of hope, as the speaker imagines herself finally reunited with her lover:
I wanted to be sure to reach you;
In that place where you play the blues and talk
To some girl who doesn't know nearly
As much about jazz as you know about the heart.
Analysis of "Song in a Minor Key"
The first thing that strikes the reader about this poem is its musicality. The title itself suggests that the poem is meant to be sung, and the repeated refrain of "I wanted to be sure to reach you" reinforces this. This musicality is further emphasized by the use of alliteration and internal rhyme throughout the poem, such as "moorish town" and "morose setting."
But the music of the poem serves a deeper purpose than simply creating a pleasing sound. It also reinforces the theme of longing and loss that runs throughout the poem. The repeated refrain of "I wanted to be sure to reach you" is a clear indication of the speaker's desperation to connect with her lover. The musical structure of the poem reinforces this desperation, as the speaker's voice rises and falls with each repetition of the refrain, conveying the intensity of her longing.
The imagery of the poem is also significant. The first stanza, with its reference to a "moorish town," suggests a sense of exoticism and unfamiliarity. This sets the stage for the speaker's sense of dislocation and isolation throughout the rest of the poem. The reference to a "morose setting of the mind" in the second stanza reinforces this sense of isolation, as the speaker suggests that her longing for her lover is a kind of mental illness.
But the final stanza offers a glimmer of hope. The reference to jazz music suggests a sense of vitality and creativity, and the speaker imagines herself finally reunited with her lover in this vibrant and lively world. The fact that the speaker imagines her lover talking to another girl suggests that she has come to terms with the fact that her lover may never be hers again. But the fact that she imagines herself in this world of music and creativity suggests that she has found a way to move on and find joy in life once again.
Conclusion
"Song in a Minor Key" is a beautiful and heartbreaking poem about the pain of lost love. The musicality of the poem reinforces the intensity of the speaker's longing, while the imagery suggests a sense of isolation and dislocation. But ultimately, the poem offers a glimmer of hope, as the speaker imagines herself finding joy and creativity in a world of music and love. Dorothy Parker's poem is a testament to the enduring power of love, even in the face of heartbreak and loss.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Song In A Minor Key: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American writer, poet, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and clever wordplay. Her works often explored the themes of love, relationships, and the human condition, and she was a master of irony and satire. One of her most famous poems, Poetry Song In A Minor Key, is a prime example of her skill in these areas.
The poem, which was first published in 1926, is a short, four-line verse that packs a powerful punch. It reads:
I think that I shall never know Why I am thus, and I am so. Around me, other girls inspire In men the rush and roar of fire.
At first glance, the poem seems to be a lament about the speaker's inability to attract the attention of men. She wonders why she is not like the other girls who can effortlessly inspire "the rush and roar of fire" in men. However, upon closer examination, it becomes clear that the poem is actually a biting critique of the societal expectations placed on women.
The first line of the poem, "I think that I shall never know," is a nod to the famous opening line of Joyce Kilmer's poem, Trees: "I think that I shall never see." This reference sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is full of irony and satire. The speaker is not lamenting her lack of beauty or charm; she is questioning why she is expected to conform to a certain standard of femininity in order to be desirable to men.
The second line, "Why I am thus, and I am so," is a play on the phrase "I am what I am." The speaker is questioning why she is expected to be a certain way, rather than being allowed to be herself. This line is a commentary on the societal pressure placed on women to conform to a narrow definition of beauty and femininity.
The third line, "Around me, other girls inspire," is a reference to the idea that women are supposed to be objects of desire for men. The speaker is pointing out that other girls are able to inspire men's desire, but she is not. This line is a commentary on the way that women are often objectified and valued only for their physical appearance.
The final line, "In men the rush and roar of fire," is a reference to the idea that men are supposed to be driven by their sexual desire for women. The speaker is pointing out that women are expected to be objects of desire for men, and that men are expected to be driven by their sexual urges. This line is a commentary on the way that gender roles are constructed in society, and the pressure that both men and women face to conform to these roles.
Overall, Poetry Song In A Minor Key is a powerful commentary on the societal expectations placed on women. The poem uses irony and satire to critique the way that women are objectified and valued only for their physical appearance. It is a reminder that women should be allowed to be themselves, rather than being forced to conform to a narrow definition of femininity in order to be desirable to men.
In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's Poetry Song In A Minor Key is a masterpiece of irony and satire. The poem is a powerful commentary on the societal expectations placed on women, and a reminder that women should be allowed to be themselves. It is a testament to Parker's skill as a writer, and a reminder of the enduring relevance of her work.
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