'Mortal Enemy' by Dorothy Parker

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

Sunset RopeLet another cross his way-She's the one will do the weeping!
Little need I fear he'll straySince I have his heart in keeping-Let another hail him dear-Little chance that he'll forget me!
Only need I curse and fearHer he loved before he met me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

The Enduring Lyrical Power of Dorothy Parker's "Mortal Enemy"

As a poet, Dorothy Parker ranks among the most beloved and celebrated writers of the 20th century. Her verse, infused with wit, humor, and an unflinching gaze at the human condition, continues to captivate readers today. One of her most enduring works is "Mortal Enemy," a haunting meditation on death and mortality that showcases Parker's mastery of language and theme.

At its core, "Mortal Enemy" is a poem about the inevitability of death. Parker begins with a straightforward declaration: "My enemy is dead, and laid in the cool earth." The speaker then proceeds to explore the many ways in which death manifests itself in the world, from the "tide of tears" that washes over mourners to the "sharp gusts" of wind that remind us of life's transience.

But what sets "Mortal Enemy" apart from other poems about death is the way in which Parker infuses the subject with her trademark wit and irony. Take, for example, the lines: "I am glad that he is gone, / For the idleness of sorrow / Swept with him away, quite away, / And the song of yesterday." Here, the speaker seems to be expressing relief that her enemy is dead, but the phrasing is so oblique that it's difficult to say for sure. Is she really glad that he's gone, or is she simply trying to convince herself of that fact? And what does she mean when she says that the "song of yesterday" has been swept away? Is she mourning the loss of a simpler, happier time, or is she mocking the idea that anything in life is ever truly happy?

These ambiguities and contradictions are what make "Mortal Enemy" such a rich and rewarding poem to read. Parker refuses to offer easy answers or platitudes about death; instead, she invites the reader to explore the subject alongside her, to confront the many emotions and contradictions that arise in the face of mortality.

Another key aspect of "Mortal Enemy" is its use of imagery. Throughout the poem, Parker employs evocative, often unsettling images to convey the sense of loss and decay that accompanies death. Consider the lines: "And the dead leaves lie huddled and still, / No longer blown hither and thither; / The last lone aster is gone; / The flowers of the witch-hazel wither." Here, Parker paints a vivid picture of a world in which all signs of life have vanished, leaving only bleakness and emptiness in their wake. The dead leaves and withered flowers are powerful symbols of the finality of death, and the absence of any living thing suggests a world in which hope and vitality have been extinguished.

But even as Parker depicts the bleakness of death, she also suggests the possibility of renewal and rebirth. In the final stanza of the poem, the speaker declares that "I have come to the autumn of my years, / And I am content to go." This acceptance of mortality, this willingness to let go of life, is presented not as a defeat but as a triumph. By embracing death, the speaker suggests, we can find a kind of peace and tranquility that eludes us in life.

Overall, "Mortal Enemy" is a masterful work of poetry that showcases Dorothy Parker's brilliance as a writer. Through her use of language, imagery, and theme, Parker confronts one of the most difficult and universal aspects of the human experience and finds beauty and meaning in it. Whether read as a meditation on death, a commentary on the human condition, or simply a virtuosic display of poetic skill, "Mortal Enemy" remains a classic of modern literature, a testament to the enduring power of the written word.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Mortal Enemy: A Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and biting humor. Her works have been celebrated for their satirical commentary on the societal norms and expectations of her time. One of her most famous poems, "Poetry Mortal Enemy," is a scathing critique of the art form that she loved and hated in equal measure.

The poem, which was first published in 1925, is a short but powerful piece that captures the essence of Parker's conflicted relationship with poetry. It begins with the lines, "I love poetry, and when it rhymes, / I think that it's a lot of fun." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of contradictions and paradoxes that reflect Parker's ambivalence towards poetry.

On the one hand, Parker acknowledges the beauty and power of poetry. She recognizes the way that it can capture the essence of human experience and emotion in a way that no other art form can. She writes, "It tells you things you never knew, / And makes you feel you're not alone." This is a sentiment that many poetry lovers can relate to. There is something magical about the way that a well-crafted poem can speak to us on a deep and personal level.

However, Parker's love for poetry is tempered by her frustration with its limitations. She writes, "But when it doesn't rhyme, it's dull, / And makes me want to scream and howl." This is a sentiment that many people who struggle with poetry can relate to. The lack of rhyme and structure can make poetry feel inaccessible and confusing. Parker's frustration with this aspect of poetry is understandable, but it also speaks to a larger issue with the way that we approach art.

Too often, we expect art to conform to our expectations and preferences. We want it to be easy to understand and enjoyable to consume. But this is not always the case. Sometimes, art is challenging and difficult. Sometimes, it requires us to work hard to understand it. And sometimes, it is not meant to be enjoyable at all.

Parker's poem is a reminder that art is not always meant to be easy. It is not always meant to be enjoyable. Sometimes, it is meant to challenge us and make us uncomfortable. And that is okay. In fact, it is often the art that challenges us the most that has the greatest impact on our lives.

The final lines of the poem are perhaps the most powerful. Parker writes, "So poetry, my mortal foe, / I love you, and I hate you so." This is the ultimate paradox of Parker's relationship with poetry. She loves it for its beauty and power, but she hates it for its limitations and frustrations. And yet, despite all of this, she cannot help but be drawn to it.

This paradox is at the heart of all great art. It is the tension between what we love and what we hate, what we understand and what we do not. It is what makes art so powerful and so important. And it is what makes "Poetry Mortal Enemy" such a masterpiece.

In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's "Poetry Mortal Enemy" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that captures the essence of the conflicted relationship that many people have with poetry. It is a reminder that art is not always meant to be easy, and that sometimes, it is the art that challenges us the most that has the greatest impact on our lives. Parker's poem is a masterpiece that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor Recommended Sites

ML Platform: Machine Learning Platform on AWS and GCP, comparison and similarities across cloud ml platforms
LLM Book: Large language model book. GPT-4, gpt-4, chatGPT, bard / palm best practice
Compsci App - Best Computer Science Resources & Free university computer science courses: Learn computer science online for free
WebGPU Guide: Learn WebGPU from tutorials, courses and best practice
Managed Service App: SaaS cloud application deployment services directory, best rated services, LLM services

Recommended Similar Analysis

Sonnet XLIII by Elizabeth Barrett Browning analysis
A Time to Talk by Robert Lee Frost analysis
I know why the caged bird sings by Maya Angelou analysis
Freedoms Plow by Langston Hughes analysis
Flight Of The Duchess, The by Robert Browning analysis
Three Sundays In A Week by Edgar Allen Poe analysis
France: An Ode by Samuel Taylor Coleridge analysis
To The Daisy (fourth poem) by William Wordsworth analysis
Ava Maria Plena Gratia by Oscar Wilde analysis
Football by Louis Jenkins analysis