'Requiescat' by Dorothy Parker
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Death and Taxes1931Tonight my love is sleeping coldWhere none may see and none shall pass.
The daisies quicken in the mold,And richer fares the meadow grass.The warding cypress pleads the skies,The mound goes level in the rain.
My love all cold and silent lies-Pray God it will not rise again!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Requiescat: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm
Dorothy Parker is a formidable writer known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and exquisite poetry. Her poem, "Requiescat," is a perfect representation of her unique style and voice. This 12-line poem is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm, which reveals the author's deep understanding of human nature and her biting critique of society's hypocrisy.
Overview
"Requiescat" is a short poem that explores the theme of death, but not in a conventional way. The speaker is not mourning the loss of a loved one or expressing her fear of death. Instead, she is mocking the trite and sentimental ways in which people usually react to death. The title itself, "Requiescat," which means "rest in peace," is an ironic contrast to the poem's content. The speaker's tone is detached, almost amused, as she observes the mourners' behavior.
Analysis
The poem is structured in three stanzas of four lines each, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The first two stanzas describe the funeral scene, while the third stanza is a sarcastic comment on the deceased person's life.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes the mourners' behavior in an almost clinical way. She observes how they "droop faces" and "shuffle feet," and how they "murmur and mourn." She notes how they are dressed in "dull black" and how they "sway to and fro." The tone of the stanza is detached and ironic, as if the speaker is observing a group of strangers rather than people she knows.
In the second stanza, the speaker focuses on the flowers that have been laid on the casket. She notes how they are "wet with tears" and how they "droop to the ground." Again, the tone is ironic, as if the speaker is making fun of the mourners' sentimental displays.
The third stanza is the most ironic and biting of all. The speaker comments on the deceased person's life, which she describes as "all a lie." She notes how the person pretended to be "good and wise and brave" but was actually "foolish" and "vain." The final line, "But, O! To die, and know you are really dead," is a powerful statement on the nature of death and human mortality. The speaker is saying that death is the great equalizer, stripping away all the pretenses and illusions of life.
Interpretation
"Requiescat" is not simply a poem about death, but a biting commentary on society's hypocrisy and the emptiness of human life. The mourners in the poem are not really mourning the loss of the person, but rather performing a ritual of mourning that is expected of them. The flowers, wet with tears, are not really a sign of grief but a way of showing off one's sentimentality. The deceased person's life, which was presented as a lie, is a critique of society's values and the way people are expected to conform to certain standards of behavior.
The poem is also an exploration of the human condition and the inevitability of death. The speaker's detached and ironic tone suggests that death is not something to be feared or mourned, but rather accepted as a natural part of life. The final line, "But, O! To die, and know you are really dead," is a powerful reminder that death is the great equalizer, and that all the pretenses and illusions of life are stripped away in the face of mortality.
Conclusion
"Requiescat" is a brilliant poem that showcases Dorothy Parker's unique style and voice. The poem's use of irony and sarcasm is masterful, and its critique of society's hypocrisy and the emptiness of human life is both insightful and poignant. The poem's final line is a powerful statement on the nature of death and human mortality, reminding us that in the end, we are all equal in the face of death. "Requiescat" is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry that challenges the status quo and speaks truth to power.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Requiescat: A Masterpiece of Elegy
Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. However, her poem "Requiescat" is a departure from her usual style, as it is a poignant elegy that reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry, and in this analysis, we will explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
The poem is a tribute to a deceased friend, presumably a lover, and it begins with a somber tone, "Under the wide and starry sky, Dig the grave and let me lie." The opening lines set the mood for the rest of the poem, as the speaker expresses her desire to be buried under the stars, in the embrace of nature. The use of the word "dig" is significant, as it implies that the speaker is ready to accept death and is willing to be buried in the earth.
The second stanza of the poem is a reflection on the fleeting nature of life, "Glad did I live and gladly die, And I laid me down with a will." The speaker acknowledges that life is short and that death is inevitable, but she is content with the life she has lived. The use of the word "gladly" twice in this stanza emphasizes the speaker's acceptance of death and her satisfaction with her life.
The third stanza of the poem is a tribute to the deceased friend, "This be the verse you grave for me: Here he lies where he longed to be." The speaker requests that her friend bury her in the place she loved the most, under the stars and in the embrace of nature. The use of the word "grave" in this stanza is significant, as it implies that the speaker is aware of her mortality and is ready to face death.
The fourth stanza of the poem is a reflection on the speaker's legacy, "Home is the sailor, home from the sea, And the hunter home from the hill." The speaker acknowledges that she will be remembered for the life she lived and the memories she created. The use of the words "sailor" and "hunter" in this stanza is significant, as they represent the adventurous spirit of the speaker and her love for nature.
The structure of the poem is simple, with four stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, and the meter is iambic tetrameter, which gives the poem a musical quality. The use of repetition in the poem, such as the repetition of the word "gladly" in the second stanza and the repetition of the word "home" in the fourth stanza, emphasizes the themes of acceptance and legacy.
The poem is rich in literary devices, such as imagery, metaphor, and personification. The use of imagery in the poem, such as the image of the "wide and starry sky" and the "hunter home from the hill," creates a vivid picture in the reader's mind and adds to the emotional impact of the poem. The use of metaphor in the poem, such as the metaphor of the "sailor" and the "hunter," adds depth to the poem and emphasizes the speaker's love for nature. The use of personification in the poem, such as the personification of death as a friend, adds a human element to the poem and makes it more relatable.
In conclusion, "Requiescat" is a masterpiece of elegiac poetry that reflects on the transience of life and the inevitability of death. The poem is a tribute to a deceased friend and is a reflection on the speaker's acceptance of death and her satisfaction with the life she has lived. The structure of the poem is simple, with a musical quality, and the use of literary devices such as imagery, metaphor, and personification adds depth and emotional impact to the poem. "Requiescat" is a timeless poem that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
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