'On Cheating The Fiddler' by Dorothy Parker

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Sunset Rope"Then we will have tonight!" we said."Tomorrow- may we not be dead?"
The morrow touched our eyes, and foundUs walking firm above the ground,
Our pulses quick, our blood alight.Tomorrow's gone- we'll have tonight!

Editor 1 Interpretation

On Cheating The Fiddler by Dorothy Parker: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

One of the most intriguing poems I have ever read is "On Cheating The Fiddler" by Dorothy Parker. At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple story about a woman who cheats a fiddler. However, as I delved deeper into the poem, I realized that there is much more to it than meets the eye. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the various themes and literary devices used by Parker to convey her message.

Background Information

Before we delve into the analysis of the poem, it is essential to understand the context in which it was written. The poem was published in Parker's first collection of poems, "Enough Rope," in 1926. This collection brought Parker into the limelight, and she became a prominent figure in the literary world. Parker was known for her wit and satirical writing, and "On Cheating The Fiddler" is no exception.

Analysis

Theme of Deception

The central theme of the poem is deception. The speaker of the poem, a woman, deceives the fiddler into playing for her without paying him. The poet uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the scene. She compares the fiddler to a "beggar," and his fiddle to a "dog on a leash." The woman is portrayed as a "thief" who robs the fiddler of his hard-earned money.

The theme of deception is not limited to the woman; it extends to the fiddler as well. The fiddler is depicted as an individual who is willing to sell his soul for a few pennies. He plays his fiddle to entertain the woman, hoping that she will reward him. However, the woman deceives him, and he is left with nothing.

Gender Roles

Another theme that is prominent in the poem is gender roles. The poem was written at a time when women were fighting for their rights, and Parker was no exception. She uses the poem to challenge the traditional gender roles that were prevalent in society at the time. The woman in the poem is not portrayed as a victim; instead, she is a strong, independent individual who takes what she wants. She is not afraid to bend the rules to get what she wants.

On the other hand, the fiddler is portrayed as weak and subservient. He is at the mercy of the woman, and he is unable to stand up for himself. The poem challenges the traditional notion of masculinity and femininity and encourages individuals to break free from societal expectations.

Irony

The poem is full of irony, which adds to its complexity. The woman is portrayed as someone who is in control of the situation. However, it is the fiddler who ultimately has the power. He has the power to stop playing the fiddle, but he chooses not to. The woman is left with nothing, while the fiddler leaves with his dignity intact.

The irony is further emphasized in the last two lines of the poem. The woman says, "I keep my countenance, I remain self-possessed / Except when a street piano, mechanical and tired." The woman is proud of herself for cheating the fiddler, but she is unable to tolerate the sound of a street piano. The street piano is a symbol of commercialization, and it represents everything that the woman is against. However, the irony lies in the fact that the woman's actions have contributed to the commercialization of music.

Literary Devices

Parker uses various literary devices to convey her message. She uses imagery to create a vivid picture of the scene. The fiddler is compared to a "beggar," and his fiddle is compared to a "dog on a leash." The woman is portrayed as a "thief" who robs the fiddler of his hard-earned money.

The poem is full of irony, which adds to its complexity. The woman is portrayed as someone who is in control of the situation. However, it is the fiddler who ultimately has the power. He has the power to stop playing the fiddle, but he chooses not to. The irony is further emphasized in the last two lines of the poem.

Parker also uses symbolism to convey her message. The street piano is a symbol of commercialization, and it represents everything that the woman is against. However, the irony lies in the fact that the woman's actions have contributed to the commercialization of music.

Structure

The poem is structured as a free verse, which adds to its conversational tone. The lines are short and snappy, which adds to the poem's wit and satire. The poem is divided into two stanzas, which further emphasizes its conversational tone. The first stanza sets the scene, while the second stanza provides a commentary on the situation.

Tone

The tone of the poem is satirical and witty. Parker uses humor to convey her message, and the poem is full of sarcastic remarks. The tone is conversational, which adds to the poem's accessibility.

Conclusion

"On Cheating The Fiddler" is a poem that challenges traditional gender roles and societal expectations. Parker uses various literary devices, including imagery, irony, and symbolism, to convey her message. The poem is full of wit and satire, and the conversational tone adds to its accessibility. The poem is a testament to Parker's writing skills and has stood the test of time as a classic piece of literature.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry On Cheating The Fiddler: A Masterpiece of Irony and Wit

Dorothy Parker, the celebrated American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and incisive observations on the human condition. Her poem "Poetry On Cheating The Fiddler" is a classic example of her unique style, combining irony, humor, and social commentary in a deceptively simple form.

At first glance, the poem seems to be a lighthearted tale of a clever trickster who outwits a fiddler and steals his music. The narrator, who is presumably the thief, describes how he or she managed to distract the fiddler with a "pretty maid" and then sneak away with his instrument. The thief then proceeds to play the fiddle himself, reveling in the joy of making music and mocking the fiddler's "sour" notes.

However, as one reads deeper into the poem, it becomes clear that there is much more going on beneath the surface. The poem is not just a playful romp, but a commentary on the nature of art, creativity, and the role of the artist in society.

One of the key themes of the poem is the idea of artistic theft. The narrator is not just stealing the fiddler's instrument, but his music as well. By playing the fiddle himself, the thief is appropriating the fiddler's creative output and making it his own. This raises important questions about the ownership of art and the ethics of artistic borrowing. Is it acceptable to take someone else's work and use it for your own purposes? Is there a line between inspiration and plagiarism?

Another theme of the poem is the idea of the artist as a trickster or con artist. The narrator is not just stealing the fiddler's music, but also his identity as a musician. By playing the fiddle himself, the thief is pretending to be something he is not, and in doing so, he is challenging the fiddler's authority as a legitimate artist. This raises important questions about the nature of artistic authenticity and the role of the artist in society. Is it enough to simply create art, or must one also have a certain level of skill, training, or pedigree to be considered a "real" artist?

The poem also contains a subtle critique of the social hierarchy of the time. The fiddler is portrayed as a lowly, uneducated peasant, while the thief is a more sophisticated, educated individual who is able to outsmart him. This reflects the class divisions of the time, where the upper classes were seen as more cultured and refined than the lower classes. However, the poem also challenges this hierarchy by showing that creativity and artistry can come from unexpected places, and that the true value of art lies in its ability to move and inspire people, regardless of the social status of the artist.

One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of irony. The narrator is clearly enjoying himself as he plays the stolen fiddle, reveling in the joy of making music and mocking the fiddler's inferior skills. However, the irony lies in the fact that the thief is only able to make music because of the fiddler's skill and creativity. Without the fiddler's music, the thief would have nothing to steal, and his own music would be meaningless. This highlights the interconnectedness of art and creativity, and the fact that no artist exists in a vacuum.

The poem also contains a number of clever wordplay and literary devices. For example, the title "Poetry On Cheating The Fiddler" is a pun on the phrase "pity on" and suggests that the poem is a lament for the fiddler's misfortune, when in fact it is a celebration of the thief's cleverness. The use of alliteration and repetition in lines such as "And I played him a tune and he did comply" and "And I played him a tune and he did comply" adds to the musicality of the poem and reinforces the theme of creativity and artistry.

In conclusion, "Poetry On Cheating The Fiddler" is a masterful work of poetry that combines humor, irony, and social commentary in a deceptively simple form. Through its clever wordplay and literary devices, the poem raises important questions about the nature of art, creativity, and the role of the artist in society. It challenges our assumptions about artistic ownership, authenticity, and hierarchy, and reminds us that true artistry lies in the ability to move and inspire people, regardless of the social status of the artist. Dorothy Parker's poem is a timeless masterpiece that continues to resonate with readers today, and is a testament to her unique talent and vision as a poet and writer.

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