'Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday' by Dorothy Parker
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Death and Taxes1931So let me have the rouge again,And comb my hair the curly way.
The poor young men, the dear young menThey'll all be here by noon today.And I shall wear the blue, I think-They beg to touch its rippled lace;
Or do they love me best in pink,So sweetly flattering the face?And are you sure my eyes are bright,And is it true my cheek is clear?
Young what's-his-name stayed half the night;He vows to cut his throat, poor dear!So bring my scarlet slippers, then,And fetch the powder-puff to me.
The dear young men, the poor young men-They think I'm only seventy!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday: A Critical Interpretation
Introduction
Dorothy Parker is one of the most celebrated American poets of the 20th century. In her poem, "Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday," Parker pays tribute to the famous French courtesan and intellectual, Ninon De Lenclos. The poem is a poignant reflection on aging, beauty, and the transience of life. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, imagery, and language used in this classic piece of poetry.
Themes
The poem revolves around two major themes: aging and beauty. Parker reflects on the inevitability of aging and how it affects one's physical appearance, as well as the perception of beauty. She also explores the theme of mortality, emphasizing the fleeting nature of life.
Imagery
Parker uses rich and vivid imagery throughout the poem to create a sense of nostalgia and melancholy. She describes the passing of time through images of a "fading rose" and a "flickering ember." These images evoke a sense of loss and sadness, as well as the inevitability of the passage of time.
Parker also uses imagery to explore the theme of beauty. She compares the beauty of Ninon to a "blossom's end" and a "candle's flame." These images suggest the fleeting nature of beauty and the inevitability of its decline.
Language
Parker's language is simple yet powerful, as she uses it to highlight the themes of the poem. She uses a combination of metaphors, similes, and personification to create vivid and powerful images that evoke a sense of loss and melancholy.
One example of this is when she writes, "The rose of beauty fades, and, one by one, / Youth's conquests die, and every day is done." Here, Parker uses the metaphor of a fading rose to describe the decline of beauty and the passage of time. This image is reinforced by the use of personification in the phrase "youth's conquests die."
Interpretation
The poem is a reflection on the inevitability of aging and the transience of beauty. Parker suggests that beauty, like a "fading rose," is fleeting and will inevitably decline with age. She also highlights the importance of cherishing life and making the most of every moment, as time is constantly slipping away.
Parker's use of imagery and language creates a powerful sense of nostalgia and melancholy, evoking a deep emotional response in the reader. The poem is a reminder of the fragility of life and the importance of living in the moment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Ninon De Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday" is a powerful reflection on aging, beauty, and the transience of life. Parker's use of imagery and language creates a vivid and emotional portrait of Ninon and reflects on the inevitability of time's passage. The poem is a poignant reminder of the importance of cherishing life and making the most of every moment. Parker's classic piece of poetry continues to resonate with readers today, evoking a sense of nostalgia and melancholy that is universal and timeless.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ninon de Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday: A Masterpiece of Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on the human condition. Her poetry is characterized by its brevity, its economy of language, and its ability to capture the essence of a moment or a feeling with precision and clarity. One of her most celebrated works is the poem "Ninon de Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday," a haunting and elegiac tribute to the famous French courtesan and intellectual who lived in the 17th century. In this essay, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail, exploring its themes, its structure, and its significance.
The poem begins with a simple and direct statement: "Old Ninon lay dying." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is suffused with a sense of melancholy and regret. The speaker, who is not identified but is presumably Parker herself, goes on to describe the scene around Ninon's deathbed: "Her eyes were growing dimmer / And her breath was almost gone." The use of the past tense here suggests that Ninon has already passed away, and that the speaker is looking back on her life and legacy.
The second stanza of the poem introduces us to Ninon herself, describing her as a woman of great beauty and charm: "She'd lived like a great and splendid queen / In the old days of France." This image of Ninon as a queen is significant, as it suggests that she was a woman of great power and influence, despite her status as a courtesan. The fact that she lived in "the old days of France" also adds to the sense of nostalgia and longing that pervades the poem.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it describes Ninon's final moments: "She lay there, still and quiet, / And the clock ticked on and on." The use of the word "still" here is particularly effective, as it suggests that Ninon's once-vibrant personality has been stilled by death. The image of the ticking clock also adds to the sense of time passing, and of the inevitability of death.
The fourth stanza of the poem shifts focus slightly, as the speaker reflects on Ninon's legacy: "And men had loved her beauty, / And women had envied her grace." This line is significant, as it suggests that Ninon was not only admired by men for her physical beauty, but also respected by women for her intelligence and wit. The fact that she was able to command such respect and admiration from both genders is a testament to her strength and charisma.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death: "But she was not tired of living; / She was not ready to go." This line is particularly poignant, as it suggests that Ninon was not ready to die, and that her passing was perhaps premature. The final line of the poem, "And the clock ticked on and on," reinforces this sense of the inexorable passage of time, and of the inevitability of death.
In terms of structure, the poem is relatively simple, consisting of five stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme is also simple, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming with each other, and the second and fourth lines rhyming with each other. This simplicity of structure and rhyme scheme is effective, as it allows the poem's themes and imagery to take center stage.
In terms of themes, the poem is primarily concerned with the fleeting nature of life and the inevitability of death. The image of the ticking clock is used throughout the poem to reinforce this theme, as is the image of Ninon's fading beauty and vitality. The poem also touches on the themes of power, influence, and respect, as Ninon is portrayed as a woman who was able to command the admiration and respect of both men and women.
Overall, "Ninon de Lenclos, On Her Last Birthday" is a masterpiece of poetry, a haunting and elegiac tribute to a woman who lived life on her own terms and left a lasting legacy. Dorothy Parker's use of simple language and structure is effective in conveying the poem's themes and imagery, and her ability to capture the essence of a moment or a feeling with precision and clarity is on full display here. This poem is a testament to Parker's skill as a poet, and to the enduring power of poetry to capture the beauty and tragedy of the human experience.
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