'Pour Prendre Conge' by Dorothy Parker

AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

Sunset RopeI'm sick of embarking in doriesUpon an emotional sea.
I'm wearied of playing Dolores(A role never written for me).I'll never again like a cub lickMy wounds while I squeal at the hurt.
No more I'll go walking in public,My heart hanging out of my shirt.I'm tired of entwining me garlandsOf weather-worn hemlock and bay.
I'm over my longing for far lands-I wouldn't give that for Cathay.I'm through with performing the balletOf love unrequited and told.
Euterpe, I tender you vale;Good-by, and take care of that cold.I'm done with this burning and givingAnd reeling the rhymes of my woes.
And how I'll be making my living,The Lord in His mystery knows.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Bittersweet Elegy of Dorothy Parker

Pour Prendre Conge is a hauntingly beautiful poem written by the renowned American writer and poet, Dorothy Parker. The poem, which translates to "To Say Goodbye" in English, is a bittersweet elegy that explores themes of loss, love, and mortality.

At the surface level, Pour Prendre Conge is a poem about saying goodbye to a lover who has passed away. However, as one delves deeper into the poem, they will soon realize that this is not just a simple goodbye, but rather a lamentation for a love that was never quite fulfilled.

The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging that their lover has passed away: "Now, with you gone, I am alone." The speaker then goes on to describe the physical and emotional pain of this loss: "A dull, unlit world is all that's left, / And in my heart a hurricane."

One of the most striking things about Pour Prendre Conge is the way in which Parker captures the complex emotions of grief. The speaker is not just sad, but rather consumed by a hurricane of emotions that threatens to engulf her. This is a powerful metaphor, one that aptly conveys the all-consuming nature of grief.

As the poem progresses, the speaker reflects on the nature of their relationship with their lover. They describe how they were "too much alike" and how they "clashed, and hurt, and never quite made peace." Despite this, however, the speaker still yearns for their lover, saying "How I would love to have you back, / Even if we fought as fiercely as before."

This is where the true meaning of Pour Prendre Conge becomes clear. This is not just a poem about saying goodbye to a lover who has passed away, but rather a lamentation for a love that was never quite fulfilled. The speaker's relationship with their lover was fraught with conflict and pain, yet they still long for them. This is a testament to the power of love, even in the face of adversity.

One of the most powerful lines in the poem comes towards the end, when the speaker says "And in my heart, a lonely ember burns / For what we had, and could have had, again." This line perfectly captures the bittersweet nature of the speaker's feelings. They are consumed by grief, yet still long for their lover, even though they know that they can never be together again.

Throughout the poem, Parker's use of language is masterful. She employs vivid metaphors and similes to convey the depth of the speaker's emotions. For example, she describes the hurricane in the speaker's heart as "A wind that tears the roof away, / And leaves the world to storm and rain." This is a powerful metaphor that conveys the destructive power of grief.

Another striking aspect of Parker's language is her use of repetition. The phrase "And in my heart" is repeated several times throughout the poem, emphasizing the speaker's emotional turmoil. This repetition also reinforces the central theme of the poem, which is the enduring power of love, even in the face of loss and grief.

In conclusion, Pour Prendre Conge is a hauntingly beautiful elegy that explores themes of loss, love, and mortality. Through the use of vivid metaphors, powerful imagery, and striking language, Parker captures the complex emotions of grief in a way that is both poignant and deeply affecting. This is a poem that will stay with the reader long after they have finished reading it, a testament to the enduring power of Parker's writing.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Pour Prendre Conge: An Analysis of Dorothy Parker's Classic Poem

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her witty and satirical works that often reflect the social and cultural norms of her time. One of her most famous poems, Poetry Pour Prendre Conge, is a perfect example of her unique style and perspective.

In this 16-line poem, Parker bids farewell to poetry, personifying it as a lover who has left her. The poem is written in free verse, with no specific rhyme or meter, giving it a conversational and informal tone. However, the use of vivid imagery and metaphorical language adds depth and complexity to the poem.

The poem begins with the speaker addressing poetry directly, saying, "Goodbye, dear poetry, / Goodbye, dear, / Goodbye, dear, dear poetry." The repetition of "dear" emphasizes the speaker's affection for poetry and the sadness of their parting. The use of "dear" also suggests a romantic relationship between the speaker and poetry, which is further developed throughout the poem.

The second stanza continues the metaphor of poetry as a lover, with the speaker saying, "You are too much concerned with death / And I with life." This line highlights the fundamental difference between the speaker and poetry, with the former being focused on the joys and pleasures of life, while the latter is preoccupied with the darker aspects of existence. This contrast creates tension and conflict in the relationship, leading to the eventual separation.

The third stanza further develops the metaphor, with the speaker saying, "I feel a little fluttered in my heart / That you should turn to me." Here, the speaker expresses surprise and gratitude that poetry has chosen her as its companion. The use of "fluttered" suggests a sense of excitement and nervousness, as if the speaker is overwhelmed by the intensity of their relationship.

The fourth stanza introduces the theme of time, with the speaker saying, "I who have seen you amid the primal things / Was angry when they spoke your name / In ordinary places." This line suggests that the speaker has a deep understanding and appreciation of poetry, having seen it in its purest form. However, the speaker is frustrated that poetry is not valued or respected in everyday life, leading to a sense of alienation and isolation.

The fifth stanza continues this theme, with the speaker saying, "You who sang to me in language sweet / And touched me with a kiss / Only yesterday." Here, the speaker reminisces about the intimacy and tenderness of their relationship with poetry, highlighting the emotional depth and complexity of their bond.

The sixth stanza marks a turning point in the poem, with the speaker saying, "I cannot go with you / Poetry." This line suggests that the speaker has come to a realization that their relationship with poetry is unsustainable, and that they must part ways. The use of "cannot" implies a sense of inevitability and finality, as if the decision is beyond the speaker's control.

The seventh stanza reinforces this idea, with the speaker saying, "Be with me / Be with me." Here, the speaker pleads with poetry to stay with them, suggesting a sense of desperation and longing. However, the repetition of "be with me" also suggests a sense of resignation, as if the speaker knows that their request is futile.

The eighth and final stanza concludes the poem, with the speaker saying, "Do not go." This line is a direct plea to poetry to stay, emphasizing the speaker's emotional attachment and dependence on it. However, the use of "do not" also suggests a sense of defiance and resistance, as if the speaker is unwilling to accept the inevitable.

Overall, Poetry Pour Prendre Conge is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the complex and often tumultuous relationship between the speaker and poetry. Through the use of vivid imagery, metaphorical language, and emotional depth, Parker creates a work that is both personal and universal, capturing the essence of human experience and emotion.

Editor Recommended Sites

Best Datawarehouse: Data warehouse best practice across the biggest players, redshift, bigquery, presto, clickhouse
Speech Simulator: Relieve anxiety with a speech simulation system that simulates a real zoom, google meet
Learn AWS / Terraform CDK: Learn Terraform CDK, Pulumi, AWS CDK
ML Cert: Machine learning certification preparation, advice, tutorials, guides, faq
Learn webgpu: Learn webgpu programming for 3d graphics on the browser

Recommended Similar Analysis

When Earth's Last Picture Is Painted by Rudyard Kipling analysis
Reason by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
Adolescence by P.K. Page analysis
To Helen by Edgar Allan Poe analysis
Hyla Brook by Robert Lee Frost analysis
What Then? by William Butler Yeats analysis
Buffalo Bill's... (XXI) by e.e. cummings analysis
On Looking Into The Eyes Of A Demon Lover by Sylvia Plath analysis
She rose to His Requirement by Emily Dickinson analysis
What mystery pervades a well! by Emily Dickinson analysis