'Rhyme Against Living' by Dorothy Parker

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Sunset RopeIf wild my breast and sore my pride,I bask in dreams of suicide;
If cool my heart and high my head,I think, "How lucky are the dead!"

Editor 1 Interpretation

Rhyme Against Living: A Masterpiece of Dorothy Parker

Are you a fan of poetry that seeps into your soul and makes you ponder the meaning of life? If so, then you must read "Rhyme Against Living," written by the magnificent Dorothy Parker. In this 16-line sonnet, Parker captures the essence of existence and the fleeting nature of time.

Overview of the Poem

The poem begins with a melancholic tone, as Parker asks, "Oh, how shall I pass the empty hours?" She acknowledges the emptiness that can come with life, the feeling of time slipping away without purpose. But then she quickly shifts to a more hopeful tone, declaring that she will "fill them with thee, my beloved flowers!" Parker finds solace in nature, in the beauty of blooming flowers that remind her of love and renewal.

But just as quickly as the tone turns hopeful, Parker reminds us that life is short and fleeting. She writes, "And when thy sweetest flowers have all passed away / Thou wilt know that recompense, Nor would I have it otherwise." In these lines, Parker acknowledges the inevitability of death and the bittersweet nature of life.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful, as Parker writes, "For thou hast given me life, and I / Can but give thee death." Here, Parker acknowledges the paradox of life and death, the idea that one cannot exist without the other. And yet, despite the inevitability of death, Parker finds comfort in the thought that her love of nature and beauty will live on.

Analysis of the Poem

One of the most striking aspects of "Rhyme Against Living" is the way that Parker uses language to create a sense of contrast and tension. The poem begins with a sense of emptiness and despair, as Parker asks, "Oh, how shall I pass the empty hours?" This line sets the tone for the poem, creating a sense of ennui and listlessness.

But then, just as quickly as the tone turns dark, Parker introduces a sense of hope and renewal. She writes, "I will fill them with thee, my beloved flowers!" Here, Parker uses language to create a sense of contrast between the darkness and the light, between emptiness and fullness.

This sense of contrast continues throughout the poem, as Parker shifts between darkness and light, between despair and hope. She writes, "And when thy sweetest flowers have all passed away / Thou wilt know that recompense." Here, Parker acknowledges that even the most beautiful things in life are fleeting, but she also finds a sense of comfort in the knowledge that everything has its own recompense.

Another powerful aspect of "Rhyme Against Living" is the way that Parker explores the paradox of life and death. She writes, "For thou hast given me life, and I / Can but give thee death." Here, Parker acknowledges that life and death are intertwined, that one cannot exist without the other. But she also finds a sense of comfort in the thought that even in death, her love of nature and beauty will live on.

Interpretation of the Poem

"Rhyme Against Living" is a poem about the paradox of existence, the idea that life is both beautiful and fleeting, both hopeful and despairing. Parker's use of contrast and tension creates a sense of complexity that speaks to the complexities of life itself.

At its core, the poem is about finding solace and meaning in the face of mortality. Parker acknowledges the inevitability of death, but she also finds a sense of hope and renewal in the beauty of nature. Her love of flowers and the natural world becomes a way for her to connect with something larger than herself, something that will live on even after she is gone.

But perhaps the most powerful message of "Rhyme Against Living" is the idea that life itself is a gift. Parker writes, "For thou hast given me life," acknowledging the preciousness of existence. In the face of mortality, Parker finds meaning in the simple act of living, in the beauty of nature and the love of those around her.

Conclusion

"Rhyme Against Living" is a masterpiece of poetry, a powerful meditation on the paradox of existence and the beauty of life. Through her use of language and imagery, Parker captures the complexity of the human experience, the way that life can be both beautiful and tragic, both hopeful and despairing.

But ultimately, the poem is a celebration of life itself, a reminder that even in the face of mortality, there is meaning to be found in the simple act of living. Parker's love of nature and beauty becomes a way for her to connect with something larger than herself, something that will live on even after she is gone.

If you haven't read "Rhyme Against Living" yet, I highly recommend it. It is a work of art that will stay with you long after you have finished reading it, a testament to the power and beauty of poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Rhyme Against Living: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and satirical commentary on the society and culture of her time. Her poem, Poetry Rhyme Against Living, is a perfect example of her style and genius. Written in 1925, the poem is a scathing critique of the conventional notions of love, life, and happiness, and a celebration of the darker aspects of human existence. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, structure, language, and literary devices.

The poem consists of four stanzas, each with four lines, and follows an ABAB rhyme scheme. The title itself is a play on words, as it suggests a poem against living, but also a poem that rhymes against living, as if mocking the very idea of poetic conventions. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with its ironic and paradoxical statement:

"If wild my breast and sore my pride, I bask in dreams of suicide; If cool my heart and high my head, I think, 'How lucky are the dead!'"

Here, Parker presents the idea that death is preferable to life, and that the living are the unlucky ones. The use of the word "wild" to describe the speaker's breast and "sore" to describe their pride creates a sense of emotional turmoil and pain, which is then contrasted with the dream of suicide, which is presented as a form of escape and release. The second half of the stanza, with its cool and detached tone, adds to the irony and sarcasm, as the speaker seems to be mocking the very idea of life and its supposed joys.

The second stanza continues the theme of death and its allure, but also introduces the idea of love and its futility:

"If time be heavy on my hands, And life a loathsome farce to me, And love, as naught but folly stands, And work and play all vanity,

Then, from my soul I'll fling the dust, And be to nothingness but just; And if anon I chance to see 'Tis well enough to be like me."

Here, Parker presents a series of negative and nihilistic statements, which are then followed by the idea of embracing nothingness and oblivion. The use of the word "loathsome" to describe life and "folly" to describe love creates a sense of disgust and disillusionment, which is then contrasted with the idea of being "like me", as if the speaker is proud of their rejection of the conventional values and norms of society.

The third stanza introduces the idea of art and its role in the speaker's life:

"If I should learn, in some quite casual way, That you were gone, not to return again— Read from the back-page of a paper, say, Held by a neighbor in a subway train,

How at the corner of this avenue And such a street (so are the papers filled) A hurrying man—who happened to be you— At noon to-day had happened to be killed,

I should not cry aloud—I could not cry Aloud, or wring my hands in such a place— I should but watch the station lights rush by With a more careful interest on my face,

Or raise my eyes and read with greater care Where to store furs and how to treat the hair."

Here, Parker presents the idea of art as a form of detachment and disinterest, as the speaker imagines their reaction to the news of someone's death. The use of the word "casual" to describe the way in which the news is learned, and the description of the papers as being "filled" with such stories, creates a sense of indifference and apathy. The final lines, with their focus on furs and hair, add to the irony and sarcasm, as the speaker seems to be more interested in fashion and beauty than in human life and death.

The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with its repetition of the opening lines:

"If I should die, and you should come to see The place where I lie, but could not speak the word, And if the flowers nod their heads at you As much as they were used to nod to me,

Perhaps you'd smile for pity of my state— (I know you would)—and say: 'She strove to be Some other way; some other time, too late!' And, bending down your perjured head, you'd flee."

Here, Parker presents the idea of death as a form of revenge and escape, as the speaker imagines the reaction of someone who had wronged them. The use of the word "perjured" to describe the person's head creates a sense of betrayal and deceit, and the final line, with its image of fleeing, adds to the sense of irony and bitterness.

In conclusion, Poetry Rhyme Against Living is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm, which challenges the conventional notions of love, life, and happiness, and celebrates the darker aspects of human existence. Through its use of paradoxical statements, negative and nihilistic themes, and detached and disinterested language, the poem presents a powerful critique of the society and culture of its time, and a timeless commentary on the human condition. Dorothy Parker's genius and wit shine through every line, making this poem a classic of modern poetry.

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