'Plea' by Dorothy Parker


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Enough Rope1925Secrets, you said, would hold us two apart;
You'd have me know of you your least transgression,
And so the intimate places of your heart,
Kneeling, you bared to me, as in confession.
Softly you told of loves that went before-
Of clinging arms, of kisses gladly given;
Luxuriously clean of heart once more,
You rose up, then, and stood before me, shriven.When this, my day of happiness, is through,
And love, that bloomed so fair, turns brown and brittle,
There is a thing that I shall ask of you-
I, who have given so much, and asked so little.
Some day, when there's another in my stead,
Again you'll feel the need of absolution,
And you will go to her, and bow your head,
And offer her your past, as contribution.When with your list of loves you overcome her,
For Heaven's sake, keep this one secret from her!

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, Plea: A Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker

As a lover of poetry, I have come across a plethora of poems that have left me awestruck. However, there is one poem that has always stood out to me - "Poetry, Plea" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a masterpiece that showcases the power of words and their ability to evoke strong emotions in the reader.

In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deep into the world of "Poetry, Plea" and explore the various themes, motifs, and literary devices used by Dorothy Parker to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem.

Summary

"Poetry, Plea" is a poem that speaks directly to poetry itself, asking it to be kind and gentle with the speaker's heart. It begins with a plea for poetry to stop its harsh treatment of the speaker, stating that she is "not as strong as you" and cannot handle the pain that it inflicts upon her.

The poem then goes on to describe the many ways in which poetry has hurt the speaker, from causing her to lose precious sleep to making her weep uncontrollably. Despite the pain that poetry has caused her, however, the speaker still begs for its mercy and asks it to treat her with kindness.

The poem ends on a note of hope, with the speaker stating that if poetry were to treat her gently, she would be its faithful servant forevermore.

Themes

One of the main themes of "Poetry, Plea" is the power of words. Dorothy Parker uses the persona of poetry to demonstrate how words can be used to inflict pain or bring joy. The speaker's plea for poetry to be kind and gentle with her heart is a testament to the fact that words have the power to affect us deeply.

Another theme that is present in the poem is the idea of vulnerability. The speaker admits to being weak and unable to handle the harsh treatment of poetry. This vulnerability is a reminder that we are all human and that we all have our breaking points.

The final theme that I would like to discuss is the idea of servitude. The speaker states that if poetry were to treat her with kindness, she would be its faithful servant forevermore. This suggests that the speaker sees poetry as something greater than herself and is willing to serve it in any way possible.

Motifs

One of the most prominent motifs in "Poetry, Plea" is the use of personification. Dorothy Parker personifies poetry as a being that has the ability to inflict pain or bring joy. This personification helps to make the poem more relatable and easier to understand, as readers are able to visualize poetry as a living, breathing entity.

Another motif that is present in the poem is the use of repetition. The repetition of phrases such as "be kind" and "have mercy" emphasizes the speaker's plea for poetry to treat her with kindness. This repetition also helps to create a sense of urgency and desperation in the poem, as the speaker is begging for mercy.

Literary Devices

Dorothy Parker uses a variety of literary devices in "Poetry, Plea" to create a powerful and thought-provoking poem. One of the most notable literary devices used in the poem is imagery. The vivid descriptions of the pain that poetry has caused the speaker create a strong emotional response in the reader.

Another literary device that is used in the poem is hyperbole. The speaker exaggerates the pain that poetry has caused her, stating that it has caused her to lose "a year and a day" of sleep. This hyperbole helps to emphasize the speaker's vulnerability and creates a sense of sympathy in the reader.

Finally, the poem also makes use of alliteration, with phrases such as "spilling sorrow" and "wholly woe" adding to the poem's overall musicality and effectiveness.

Interpretation

"Poetry, Plea" is a poem that speaks to the power of words and their ability to evoke strong emotions in the reader. The speaker's plea for poetry to be kind and gentle with her heart is a reminder that we are all vulnerable and that even the most powerful things in life can cause us pain.

Through the use of personification and vivid imagery, Dorothy Parker creates a powerful and thought-provoking poem that is both relatable and emotionally engaging. The poem's final note of hope, with the speaker stating that she would be poetry's faithful servant if it were to treat her gently, is a testament to the fact that even in the face of pain and hardship, there is always hope.

Overall, "Poetry, Plea" is a masterpiece of poetry that showcases the power of words and their ability to evoke strong emotions in the reader. It is a poem that speaks to the human condition and reminds us of the importance of kindness and empathy in a world that can often be harsh and unforgiving.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries. It is a way for people to express their emotions, thoughts, and experiences through words. Poetry can be powerful, moving, and thought-provoking. It can make us laugh, cry, and feel a range of emotions. One of the most famous poems about poetry is the "Poetry Plea" by Dorothy Parker. In this article, we will analyze and explain this classic poem in detail.

The "Poetry Plea" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. Despite its brevity, it packs a powerful punch. The poem reads:

"Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song, A medley of extemporanea; And I am Marie of Romania."

At first glance, the poem may seem simple and straightforward. However, upon closer examination, we can see that there is much more to it than meets the eye.

The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. "Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song" suggests that life is a beautiful and harmonious experience. The word "glorious" implies that life is something to be celebrated and cherished. The word "cycle" suggests that life is a continuous process that repeats itself. The use of the word "song" is interesting because it implies that life is musical. Music is often associated with emotions, and this line suggests that life is full of emotions.

The second line of the poem is "A medley of extemporanea." The word "medley" suggests that life is a mixture of different things. The word "extemporanea" means something that is improvised or done without preparation. This line suggests that life is unpredictable and that we must be ready to adapt to whatever comes our way. It also suggests that life is full of surprises and that we must be open to new experiences.

The final line of the poem is "And I am Marie of Romania." This line is interesting because it seems to come out of nowhere. Marie of Romania was a queen who lived from 1875 to 1938. She was known for her beauty and her love of the arts. However, she was also known for her tragic life. Her husband was assassinated, and she was forced to flee her country during World War I. She spent the rest of her life in exile and died in poverty. So, why does Parker mention Marie of Romania in this poem?

One interpretation is that Parker is using Marie of Romania as a symbol of someone who has experienced the highs and lows of life. Marie was a queen, which suggests that she experienced the good things in life. However, she also experienced tragedy and hardship, which suggests that life is not always easy. By saying "And I am Marie of Romania," Parker is suggesting that she, too, has experienced the ups and downs of life. She is saying that she understands the complexities of life and that she is ready to face whatever comes her way.

Another interpretation is that Parker is using Marie of Romania as a symbol of someone who is misunderstood. Marie was often criticized for her love of the arts and her unconventional behavior. Parker may be suggesting that she, too, is misunderstood because of her love of poetry. She is saying that she is proud of who she is and that she will not let others bring her down.

Overall, the "Poetry Plea" is a powerful poem that speaks to the beauty and complexity of life. It suggests that life is full of emotions, surprises, and challenges. It also suggests that we must be ready to adapt to whatever comes our way and that we must be proud of who we are. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry and the importance of expressing ourselves through art. It is a timeless piece that will continue to inspire and move people for generations to come.

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