'Nocturne' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1925Always I knew that it could not last(Gathering clouds, and the snowflakes flying),
Now it is part of the golden past(Darkening skies, and the night-wind sighing);
It is but cowardice to pretend.Cover with ashes our love's cold crater-
Always I've known that it had to endSooner or later.Always I knew it would come like this(Pattering rain, and the grasses springing),
Sweeter to you is a new love's kiss(Flickering sunshine, and young birds singing).
Gone are the raptures that once we knew,Now you are finding a new joy greater-
Well, I'll be doing the same thing, too,Sooner or later.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Night of Reflection: A Critique of Dorothy Parker's Nocturne
As the moon rises high in the sky, and the stars twinkle in the darkness, the world assumes a different aura. The quietness of the night, the stillness of the surroundings, the calmness of the mind, all come together to create a sense of introspection. This is the exact feeling that Dorothy Parker captures in her poem Nocturne. In this critique, we will explore the poem, its themes, its symbolism, and its meaning.
A Brief Overview
Nocturne is a poem written by Dorothy Parker in the early 1920s. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each containing four lines. The structure of the poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme.
The poem is a reflection of the quiet and stillness of the night. It captures the essence of the darkness and the sense of introspection that comes with it. The poem is written in a melancholic tone, and it speaks of the vastness of the universe and how insignificant human beings are in its grand scheme.
An In-depth Analysis
The First Stanza
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The stanza speaks of the vastness of the universe and how it dwarfs human beings. The opening line, "Now through night's caressing grip" speaks of the enveloping nature of the night. The word "caressing" suggests a soothing and peaceful nature of the darkness, which is further emphasized in the following line, "Earth and all her oceans slip, Cumbered with the last light, dying."
Here, Parker is suggesting that the darkness is taking over the earth, and the last light of the day is dying out. The word "cumbered" means to be weighed down or burdened, which suggests that the last light is struggling to hold on but is ultimately defeated by the darkness.
The next two lines in the stanza, "Now the pulse of day is spent, And the night absorbs it dying," speak of the end of the day and the beginning of the night. The word "pulse" suggests the liveliness and energy that the day brings, which is now spent and absorbed by the night.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene for the rest of the poem. It creates a sense of melancholy and introspection, which is further explored in the following stanzas.
The Second Stanza
The second stanza of the poem is where Parker begins to explore the sense of introspection that comes with the night. The stanza begins with the line, "Darkness folds the earth away," which suggests that the darkness is taking over and enveloping the earth. The word "folds" suggests a closing or a wrapping up, which is further emphasized in the following line, "We are all by ourselves now."
Here, Parker is suggesting that with the darkness comes a sense of isolation and loneliness. The word "all" suggests that everyone is alone in their solitude, which is further emphasized in the following lines, "Children, animals, old and young, We shall night-long by ourselves."
The line, "We shall night-long by ourselves," suggests that the darkness will last all night, and everyone will be alone in their thoughts. The word "night-long" suggests a sense of duration, which emphasizes the sense of loneliness and isolation.
The second stanza of the poem creates a sense of introspection and highlights the loneliness and isolation that comes with the night.
The Third Stanza
The third and final stanza of the poem is where Parker explores the themes of insignificance and mortality. The stanza begins with the line, "The little winds with wonder whirr." The word "little" suggests something insignificant, which is further emphasized in the following line, "The leaves fall like men to the ground."
Here, Parker is suggesting that human beings are no different from the leaves that fall to the ground. The word "men" suggests that human beings are just like any other living thing on earth, and they too will eventually fall to the ground.
The following lines in the stanza, "And night-singing birds are dumb, And the doom of things is dumbly sure," further emphasize the themes of insignificance and mortality. The word "doom" suggests the inevitability of death, which is further emphasized in the final line of the poem, "And the close stars burn like eyes."
Here, Parker is suggesting that even the stars, which are often seen as divine and eternal, will eventually burn out and die. The word "close" suggests that the stars are not as far away as we think, and they too are mortal.
The third stanza of the poem captures the themes of insignificance and mortality, and it brings the poem to a close with a sense of introspection and melancholy.
Symbolism in the Poem
Throughout the poem, Parker uses several symbols to reinforce the themes and tone of the poem. One of the most prominent symbols in the poem is darkness. Darkness is used to symbolize the sense of introspection and loneliness that comes with the night. It is also used to highlight the insignificance of human beings in the grand scheme of the universe.
Another symbol used in the poem is the leaves falling to the ground. The leaves are used to symbolize the mortality of human beings and how we too will eventually fall to the ground.
The stars in the final line of the poem are another symbol used to reinforce the themes of insignificance and mortality. The stars are often seen as divine and eternal, but here they are used to suggest their mortality and eventual demise.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's Nocturne is a melancholic reflection on the quietness and stillness of the night. The poem captures the sense of introspection and loneliness that comes with the darkness, and it reinforces the themes of insignificance and mortality. Through her use of symbolism, Parker emphasizes the themes and tone of the poem, creating a sense of melancholy and introspection that lingers long after the poem is finished.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Nocturne: A Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, the American writer, poet, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and sharp observations on life. Her works are timeless and continue to inspire generations of readers. One of her most famous poems, Poetry Nocturne, is a masterpiece that captures the essence of poetry and the creative process.
The poem, written in 1929, is a reflection on the nature of poetry and the struggles of a poet to create something meaningful. It is a nocturne, a musical composition that is inspired by the night, and the poem captures the mood and atmosphere of the night perfectly. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each with a distinct theme and tone.
The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the mood of the poem. It begins with the line, "Now in mid-night sleep, of many a face," which suggests that the poet is awake in the middle of the night, unable to sleep. The use of the word "many" suggests that the poet is surrounded by people, but they are all asleep, leaving her alone with her thoughts. The line "They pass, borne on to some unending race," suggests that the people are moving on with their lives, while the poet is stuck in a creative rut.
The second stanza is where the poem really takes off. It begins with the line, "Theirs is the quest, the glory, mine the shame," which suggests that the poet feels inferior to other writers who are able to create great works of art. The use of the word "quest" suggests that these writers are on a journey to create something great, while the poet is stuck in a state of shame and self-doubt. The line "My dreams are all of some discordant fame" suggests that the poet's dreams are not aligned with reality, and that she is struggling to find her voice as a writer.
The third stanza is the climax of the poem. It begins with the line, "Ah, but the city's streets are smooth and fair," which suggests that the poet is looking for inspiration in the city. The use of the word "smooth" suggests that the poet is looking for something easy and effortless, while the word "fair" suggests that she is looking for something beautiful and inspiring. The line "And I must seek for mine in places where" suggests that the poet is willing to go to great lengths to find inspiration, even if it means going to dark and dangerous places.
The final lines of the poem are some of the most powerful and memorable. The lines "The city's paved with gold, and cold as stone" suggest that the city is full of opportunities, but also full of danger and uncertainty. The use of the word "gold" suggests that the city is full of riches and wealth, while the word "stone" suggests that it is also cold and unfeeling. The final line, "And I am here, alone, and all alone," suggests that the poet is isolated and alone in her struggles, but also suggests that she is willing to face her fears and overcome her obstacles.
Overall, Poetry Nocturne is a powerful and moving poem that captures the struggles of a poet to create something meaningful. It is a reflection on the creative process and the challenges that writers face in their quest to create great works of art. The poem is full of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors, and it is a testament to Dorothy Parker's skill as a writer and poet. It is a timeless work that continues to inspire and move readers today, and it is a true masterpiece of modern poetry.
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