'Social Note' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1925Lady, lady, should you meet
One whose ways are all discreet,
One who murmurs that his wife
Is the lodestar of his life,
One who keeps assuring you
That he never was untrue,
Never loved another one . . .Lady, lady, better run!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Social Note by Dorothy Parker: A Critique
The works of Dorothy Parker, an American writer who lived between 1893 and 1967, have had a profound impact on American literature. Parker was a prolific writer, known for her sharp wit, humor, and insightful commentary on social issues of her time. One of her works that stands out is the poem, "Social Note." In this analysis, we will delve into the poem's themes, structure, and imagery to understand the significance of Parker's work.
Themes
The poem is a social commentary on the superficiality of society. Parker uses irony and sarcasm to expose the shallowness of the upper class, who are more concerned with social etiquette than meaningful relationships. From the start, the poem sets the tone for the reader with the opening line, "Lady, lady, should you meet/ One whose ways are all discreet." Parker is addressing the reader as a lady, implying that they belong to the same social class as the subject of the poem.
The second stanza introduces the theme of superficiality, "One who murmurs that his wife/ Is the lodestar of his life." The use of the word "murmurs" implies that the statement is insincere and that the speaker is merely going through the motions of social etiquette. The use of "lodestar" further emphasizes this point, as it is a metaphor for a guiding light. By using this metaphor, Parker is suggesting that the speaker's words are empty, and his actions do not reflect his words.
As the poem progresses, Parker continues to expose the hypocrisy and shallowness of the upper class. In the fourth stanza, she writes, "One who keeps-assuredly- / Friendship to infinity." The use of "assuredly" implies that the speaker is confident in their claim, but Parker is suggesting that they are not genuine in their sentiment. The use of "infinity" further emphasizes the insincerity of the speaker's words, as it implies that the friendship will last forever, which Parker suggests is unlikely.
Structure
The poem is structured as a series of couplets, with each couplet consisting of two lines that rhyme. The use of couplets gives the poem a sense of unity and order, which contrasts with the chaotic nature of the social scene that Parker is describing. The rhyme scheme also gives the poem a musical quality, which adds to its appeal.
Another notable aspect of the poem's structure is its brevity. The poem is only eight lines long, with each line containing no more than eight syllables. The brevity of the poem gives it a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of Parker's message. The short lines also create a sense of rhythm, which adds to the poem's musical quality.
Imagery
Throughout the poem, Parker uses vivid imagery to emphasize her message. In the first stanza, she uses the metaphor of a "rose" to describe the outward appearance of the person being described. The use of the rose metaphor emphasizes the superficiality of the upper class, who are more concerned with their appearance than with their inner qualities.
In the second stanza, Parker uses the metaphor of the "lodestar" to describe the speaker's wife. The use of this metaphor emphasizes the insincerity of the speaker's words, as it implies that his wife is merely a prop that he uses to maintain his social standing.
In the fourth stanza, Parker uses the image of "infinity" to describe the speaker's claim of eternal friendship. The use of this image emphasizes the absurdity of the speaker's claim, as it implies that their friendship will last forever, which Parker suggests is impossible.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Social Note" is a powerful piece of social commentary that exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of the upper class. Parker uses irony, sarcasm, and vivid imagery to emphasize her message, and the poem's structure adds to its musical quality. The brevity of the poem emphasizes the urgency of Parker's message, and the use of couplets gives the poem a sense of unity and order. Overall, "Social Note" is a timeless piece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Social Note: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit and biting satire. Her poem, Poetry Social Note, is a classic example of her unique style of writing. The poem, published in 1929, is a scathing critique of the pretentiousness and superficiality of the literary elite of her time. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem begins with a seemingly innocuous social note, announcing a gathering of poets and writers. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the note is a thinly veiled satire of the literary scene of the time. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its ironic use of language:
"Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then."
The use of the word "company" suggests a formal gathering, but the following lines reveal the speaker's bitterness and resentment towards the literary elite. The phrase "nobody'll dare" implies that the speaker is not welcome at such gatherings and is relegated to the kitchen. This is a reference to the racial segregation of the time, where black people were not allowed to dine with white people. By using this metaphor, Parker highlights the exclusionary nature of the literary scene and the discrimination faced by marginalized writers.
The second stanza continues the theme of exclusion, with the speaker lamenting the fact that she is not part of the literary elite:
"Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed—"
The use of the word "besides" suggests that the speaker is trying to console herself by focusing on her physical beauty. However, the following lines reveal that this beauty is not enough to gain acceptance in the literary world. The phrase "and be ashamed" suggests that the literary elite are ashamed of their own superficiality and lack of substance. Parker is highlighting the fact that the literary world is more concerned with appearances than with actual talent or merit.
The third stanza is a scathing critique of the literary elite's pretentiousness and lack of originality:
"I, too, am America.
I am the darker brother. They send me to eat in the kitchen When company comes, But I laugh, And eat well, And grow strong."
The speaker's assertion that she is "America" is a reference to Walt Whitman's poem, "I Hear America Singing," which celebrates the diversity and inclusivity of American society. However, Parker subverts this idea by highlighting the exclusionary nature of the literary world. The phrase "the darker brother" is a reference to Langston Hughes' poem, "I, Too," which celebrates the resilience and strength of black people in the face of discrimination. By using this reference, Parker is highlighting the fact that marginalized writers have always existed and have always been excluded from the literary world.
The final stanza is a powerful statement of defiance and resilience:
"Tomorrow, I'll be at the table When company comes. Nobody'll dare Say to me, "Eat in the kitchen," Then.
Besides, They'll see how beautiful I am And be ashamed— I, too, am America."
The repetition of the first stanza reinforces the speaker's determination to be included in the literary world. The phrase "nobody'll dare" suggests that the speaker is no longer willing to accept exclusion and discrimination. The final line, "I, too, am America," is a powerful assertion of the speaker's identity and belonging. By claiming her place in American society, the speaker is challenging the exclusionary nature of the literary world and demanding to be heard.
In terms of structure, the poem is a free verse with no set rhyme scheme or meter. This reflects the speaker's defiance and rejection of traditional literary conventions. The use of repetition and irony adds to the poem's satirical tone, while the references to other poets and writers add depth and complexity to the poem's themes.
In conclusion, Poetry Social Note is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that highlights the exclusionary nature of the literary world and the discrimination faced by marginalized writers. Through her use of irony, repetition, and references to other poets and writers, Parker creates a powerful statement of defiance and resilience. The poem remains relevant today, as the literary world continues to struggle with issues of diversity and inclusivity.
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