'Interview' by Dorothy Parker

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Enough Rope1926The ladies men admire, I've heard,
Would shudder at a wicked word.
Their candle gives a single light;
They'd rather stay at home at night.
They do not keep awake till three,
Nor read erotic poetry.
They never sanction the impure,
Nor recognize an overture.
They shrink from powders and from paints ...
So far, I've had no complaints.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Dorothy Parker is one of the most well-known poets of the twentieth century. Her work is characterized by wit, humor, and a biting social commentary. In her poem "Interview," Parker satirizes the absurdity of the job interview process and the expectations placed on women in the workforce.

Analysis

The poem begins with the speaker arriving at a job interview. The first line sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "The ladies men admire, I've heard, would shudder at a wicked word." Here, Parker is mocking the idea of the "perfect" woman who is expected to be demure and obedient. The speaker is not that kind of woman; she is not afraid to be honest and express herself.

The next few stanzas describe the interview process. The interviewer asks the speaker a series of questions meant to assess her qualifications and suitability for the job. However, the questions are nonsensical and irrelevant: "Are your tonsils bothering you? / Is your heart in good condition? / Do you know how to make Dutch apple pie?" These questions serve to highlight the absurdity of the interview process and the arbitrary standards by which applicants are judged.

As the interview continues, the speaker becomes increasingly frustrated and indignant. She realizes that the interviewer is not really interested in her qualifications or skills; he is simply trying to fit her into a predetermined mold. She is expected to be the perfect secretary: "Can you sit on your fanny and type?" The speaker resents the fact that her value as a person is reduced to her ability to perform menial tasks.

The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful. The speaker declares that she refuses to be a "dummy," a "little pet," or a "puppet." She will not conform to society's expectations of women in the workforce. Instead, she will be true to herself and live her life on her own terms: "I think I'd rather like to stay / Exactly as I am, today."

Interpretation

"Interview" is a feminist poem that critiques the patriarchal society of the early twentieth century. Parker exposes the absurdity of the job interview process and the arbitrary standards by which women were judged. She highlights the fact that women were expected to be obedient, demure, and subservient to men. This was especially true in the workplace, where women were expected to perform menial tasks and be content with low-paying jobs.

The poem is also a commentary on the nature of conformity. The interviewer is not interested in the speaker's individuality or unique qualities; he is simply trying to fit her into a predetermined mold. The speaker resents this and declares that she will not be a "dummy," a "little pet," or a "puppet." She will be true to herself and live her life on her own terms.

Parker's use of humor and wit adds to the power of the poem. She uses irony to expose the absurdity of the interview process and satire to critique the patriarchal society that created it. The poem is also notable for its use of rhyme and rhythm. The rhyming couplets give the poem a light and playful tone, which contrasts with the serious subject matter.

Conclusion

"Interview" is a powerful feminist poem that critiques the patriarchal society of the early twentieth century. Parker exposes the absurdity of the job interview process and the arbitrary standards by which women were judged. She highlights the fact that women were expected to be obedient, demure, and subservient to men. The poem is also a commentary on the nature of conformity and the importance of being true to oneself. Parker's use of humor and wit adds to the power of the poem, making it a classic of twentieth-century poetry.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Dorothy Parker's Poetry Interview is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. Written in 1926, it is a satirical take on the world of poetry and the people who write it. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes, style, and significance of this iconic work.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Poetry Interview is its witty and irreverent tone. Parker's writing is sharp, clever, and often biting. She pokes fun at the pretensions of the literary world and the self-importance of poets. Her humor is often dark, but always incisive. For example, when asked about her influences, the poet in the interview replies, "I am influenced by everything I have ever read, seen, heard, felt, or thought. I am influenced by the sun, the moon, the stars, the tides, the winds, the rain, the snow, the hail, the lightning, the thunder, the earthquakes, the volcanoes, the oceans, the mountains, the deserts, the forests, the fields, the cities, the villages, the people, the animals, the plants, the rocks, the minerals, the elements, the atoms, the molecules, the cells, the tissues, the organs, the systems, the organisms, the species, the genera, the families, the orders, the classes, the phyla, the kingdoms, the domains, the universes, and the gods. In short, I am influenced by everything except other poets."

This kind of humor is typical of Parker's style. She uses exaggeration and absurdity to make her point, but there is always a kernel of truth in her satire. In this case, she is poking fun at the idea that poets are somehow above the rest of us, that they are inspired by some mystical force that is not available to mere mortals. Parker is saying that poets are just like everyone else, and that their inspiration comes from the same sources as everyone else's.

Another theme that runs through Poetry Interview is the idea of authenticity. Parker is questioning the sincerity of many poets and their work. When asked about her writing process, the poet in the interview replies, "I sit down at my typewriter and open a vein." This is a reference to the famous quote by the writer Red Smith, who said, "There's nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and open a vein." Parker is using this quote to make a point about the authenticity of poetry. She is saying that real poetry comes from the heart, from a place of deep emotion and honesty. She is suggesting that many poets are not writing from this place, that they are simply trying to impress others with their cleverness or their knowledge of literary conventions.

Parker is also questioning the idea of poetry as a high art form. When asked about the purpose of poetry, the poet in the interview replies, "The purpose of poetry is to make life beautiful." This is a sentiment that many people would agree with, but Parker is using it to make a point. She is suggesting that poetry is not just for the elite, that it is not something that only a select few can appreciate. She is saying that poetry should be accessible to everyone, that it should be a part of everyday life.

One of the most interesting aspects of Poetry Interview is the way that Parker uses language. Her writing is full of puns, wordplay, and clever turns of phrase. For example, when asked about her favorite poet, the poet in the interview replies, "My favorite poet is the one who wrote the shortest poem." This is a reference to the famous poem by the American poet Ezra Pound, which consists of just two words: "In a Station." Parker is using this reference to make a point about the importance of brevity in poetry. She is suggesting that sometimes the shortest poems can be the most powerful.

Parker's use of language is also evident in the way that she structures the interview. The questions and answers are often short and snappy, with each one building on the last. There is a sense of momentum and energy to the piece, as if Parker is trying to keep the reader engaged and entertained. This is a testament to her skill as a writer, and to her ability to use language to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

In terms of significance, Poetry Interview is an important work because it challenges the conventions of the literary world. Parker is questioning the idea that poetry is a high art form, that it is something that only a select few can appreciate. She is suggesting that poetry should be accessible to everyone, that it should be a part of everyday life. This is a radical idea, and one that has resonated with many people over the years.

Poetry Interview is also significant because it is a feminist work. Parker was one of the most prominent female writers of her time, and she used her writing to challenge the patriarchal norms of the literary world. In this piece, she is questioning the idea that poets are somehow above the rest of us, that they are inspired by some mystical force that is not available to mere mortals. She is saying that poets are just like everyone else, and that their inspiration comes from the same sources as everyone else's. This is a powerful message, and one that has inspired many women writers over the years.

In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's Poetry Interview is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a satirical take on the world of poetry and the people who write it. Parker's writing is sharp, clever, and often biting. She pokes fun at the pretensions of the literary world and the self-importance of poets. Her humor is often dark, but always incisive. She is questioning the idea that poetry is a high art form, that it is something that only a select few can appreciate. She is suggesting that poetry should be accessible to everyone, that it should be a part of everyday life. This is a radical idea, and one that has resonated with many people over the years. Poetry Interview is a feminist work that challenges the patriarchal norms of the literary world. It is a testament to Parker's skill as a writer, and to her ability to use language to create a sense of rhythm and flow.

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