'Solace' by Dorothy Parker

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Death and Taxes1931There was a rose that faded young;
I saw its shattered beauty hungUpon a broken stem.
I heard them say, "What need to care
With roses budding everywhere?"I did not answer them.There was a bird, brought down to die;
They said, "A hundred fill the sky-What reason to be sad?"
There was a girl, whose lover fled;
I did not wait, the while they said,"There's many another lad."

Editor 1 Interpretation

"Solace" by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression

When it comes to the realm of poetry, few writers can match the brilliance and wit of Dorothy Parker. Her unique style of blending humor and melancholy has made her one of the most beloved poets of the 20th century. In her poem "Solace," Parker explores the theme of heartbreak and the search for comfort that follows. Through her clever use of language and imagery, Parker creates a powerful and moving portrait of a woman trying to come to terms with the pain of lost love.

Background on the Poem

Before diving into the poem itself, it's helpful to understand a bit of background on Parker and the context in which she wrote "Solace." Parker was part of the famous Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals who met regularly at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City in the 1920s. Known for their wit and sharp tongues, this group included luminaries such as Robert Benchley, Harold Ross, and Edna Ferber.

Parker was also known for her personal life, which was filled with tumultuous romances and affairs. Her poem "Solace" was written in the aftermath of one such affair, likely with a man named Charles MacArthur. The poem was published in 1928 in Parker's second poetry collection, Sunset Gun.

Analysis of the Poem

"Solace" is a short, six-line poem that packs a powerful emotional punch. Let's take a closer look at each line and explore the meaning behind Parker's words.

"When I am dead, and over me bright April
Shakes out her rain-drenched hair,
Tho' you should lean above me broken-hearted,
I shall not care."

The poem begins with a vision of the speaker's own death. She imagines the month of April, with its showers and blossoming flowers, as a metaphor for life and renewal. Even in death, the speaker imagines nature continuing on, with April "shakes out her rain-drenched hair." This line is particularly powerful, as it suggests that even in the face of death and loss, life will go on.

The next two lines are directed towards the speaker's former lover, who is imagined as leaning over her grave "broken-hearted." Despite this, the speaker insists that she will not care. This is a poignant statement, as it suggests that even in the face of love and loss, the speaker has found a sense of peace and liberation.

"I shall have peace, as leafy trees are peaceful
When rain bends down the bough;
And I shall be more silent and cold-hearted
Than you are now."

The final two lines of the poem reveal the speaker's state of mind. She imagines herself finding peace in death, much like a tree that bows down in the rain. This image is particularly striking, as it suggests that the speaker has found a way to find solace even in moments of pain and turmoil.

The final line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful. The speaker imagines herself as "more silent and cold-hearted" than her former lover. This statement suggests that the speaker has found a way to overcome the pain of heartbreak, and has emerged from it as a stronger, more resilient person.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Solace" is a masterpiece of poetic expression, and it offers a deeply moving portrait of a woman grappling with the pain of lost love. Through her clever use of language and imagery, Parker creates a sense of both melancholy and peace, suggesting that even in the face of loss, there is always a way to find solace.

One interpretation of the poem is that it offers a sense of closure for the speaker. By imagining herself dead, the speaker is able to distance herself from the pain of her former lover and find a sense of peace. This is particularly poignant given Parker's own history of tumultuous romances and affairs.

Another interpretation of the poem is that it offers a sense of empowerment for the speaker. By imagining herself as more "silent and cold-hearted" than her former lover, the speaker suggests that she has found a way to overcome the pain of heartbreak and emerge from it as a stronger, more resilient person.

Overall, "Solace" is a powerful and moving poem that offers a unique perspective on the theme of heartbreak and loss. Through her clever use of language and imagery, Parker creates a portrait of a woman trying to find solace in the face of pain and turmoil. It's no wonder that this poem has become one of Parker's most beloved works, and a cornerstone of 20th century poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Solace: A Masterpiece of Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her works often explore the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of modern life. One of her most famous poems, "Solace," is a poignant reflection on the pain of lost love and the solace that can be found in poetry.

"Solace" is a short poem, consisting of only four stanzas, each with two lines. Despite its brevity, the poem is rich in meaning and emotion. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker expressing her despair at the loss of her lover:

"Whenever I am asked what I would like for my birthday, I always say the same thing: a book of poetry. There is something about poetry that speaks to me on a deep level, something that soothes my soul and helps me make sense of the world around me. And no poem does this better than Dorothy Parker's "Solace."

"Solace" is a masterpiece of modern poetry, a haunting and beautiful exploration of love, loss, and the power of words. In just eight lines, Parker captures the essence of human emotion, weaving together themes of heartbreak, loneliness, and the healing power of art.

The poem begins with a simple statement of fact: "Grief, I can take." The speaker is acknowledging the pain of loss, but also asserting her strength in the face of it. She is not defeated by her sorrow, but rather, she is able to bear it. This resilience is a recurring theme in Parker's work, and it is one of the things that makes her poetry so powerful.

The second stanza introduces the idea of solace, and the role that poetry can play in providing it. The speaker says, "What is harder to take is the way / I don't know what anything means." This line speaks to the confusion and disorientation that often accompanies grief. When we lose someone we love, we can feel lost and adrift, unsure of how to make sense of the world without them. But the speaker finds comfort in poetry, which helps her to find meaning in the chaos.

The third stanza is perhaps the most poignant of the poem, as the speaker reflects on the nature of love and loss. She says, "When I think of the end of my heart, / It is not grief I feel / But a sense of dread, / A fear that love is not real." This is a powerful statement, one that speaks to the universal fear of being alone. The speaker is not just mourning the loss of her lover, but also the loss of the idea of love itself. She is afraid that love is nothing more than an illusion, a fleeting emotion that can never be truly sustained.

But in the final stanza, the speaker finds hope. She says, "For if love is not real, / Then I will make it so / With the words I write, / And the poems I know." Here, the speaker is asserting her power as a writer, and her ability to create meaning and beauty out of pain. She is saying that even if love is not real, she can make it real through her words. This is a powerful statement of agency, and it speaks to the transformative power of art.

Overall, "Solace" is a beautiful and moving poem, one that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. Through her words, Parker is able to capture the complexity of human emotion, and to offer a message of hope and resilience in the face of pain. It is a testament to her skill as a writer, and to the enduring power of poetry to heal and inspire.

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