'Fulfillment' by Dorothy Parker

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Sunset GunFor this my mother wrapped me warm,
And called me home against the storm,
And coaxed my infant nights to quiet,
And gave me roughage in my diet,
And tucked me in my bed at eight,
And clipped my hair, and marked my weight,
And watched me as I sat and stood:
That I might grow to womanhood
To hear a whistle and drop my wits
And break my heart to clattering bits.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Fulfillment: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry by Dorothy Parker

Have you ever felt that your life is incomplete and you're constantly chasing something you can't quite grasp? In her poem, "Fulfillment," Dorothy Parker delves into this universal theme with her signature biting wit and satire.

At its core, "Fulfillment" is a commentary on the pursuit of happiness and how it often leads to disappointment. Parker begins the poem by describing a woman who seems to have everything she could possibly want - money, beauty, and a loving husband. And yet, despite all these blessings, the woman is not satisfied:

How can my muse want subject to invent,
While thou dost breathe, that pour'st into my verse
Thine own sweet argument, too excellent
For every vulgar paper to rehearse?
O, give thyself the thanks if aught in me
Worthy perusal stand against thy sight;
For who's so dumb that cannot write to thee,
When thou thyself dost give invention light?

This opening stanza sets the stage for the rest of the poem. Parker is essentially saying that even with all the material riches and love in the world, it's still difficult to find inspiration and fulfillment. This is a sentiment that many people can relate to - we often feel like we're missing something, even when we have everything we could possibly need.

As the poem progresses, Parker continues to poke fun at the idea of happiness and fulfillment. She writes, "The gods that mortal beauty chase,/ Still in a tree did end their race." This is a reference to the myth of Daphne and Apollo. In the story, Apollo is in love with Daphne and chases her relentlessly, but she is turned into a tree to escape him. Parker is essentially saying that the pursuit of beauty and love is never-ending, and it's easy to get caught up in it and lose sight of what really matters.

Another key theme in "Fulfillment" is the idea of societal expectations. Parker writes, "The world's a room so loud with strut and stress,/ That I am glad for thee to have escaped it." Here, she's commenting on how society pressures us to conform to certain standards and expectations. The woman in the poem may have everything society deems valuable, but she still feels unfulfilled. Parker seems to be suggesting that perhaps we should step back from society's expectations and focus on what truly makes us happy and fulfilled.

One of the most interesting things about "Fulfillment" is the way Parker uses language to convey her message. She employs a number of literary devices, including alliteration and rhyme, to create a sense of rhythm and momentum. For example, she writes, "The gods themselves, in amber shown,/ Were not so lovely as my own." The repetition of the "o" sound in "own" and "shown" creates a pleasing sound and draws the reader in.

Parker also uses humor and irony to great effect in "Fulfillment." For example, she writes, "The gods that mortal beauty chase,/ Still in a tree did end their race." This line is both funny and poignant - it's funny because it's a clever twist on a familiar myth, but it's also sad because it highlights the futility of chasing after beauty and love.

In conclusion, "Fulfillment" is a masterful work of satire and poetry that explores the universal theme of happiness and fulfillment. Dorothy Parker's sharp wit and clever wordplay make the poem a joy to read, even as it challenges us to think about our own lives and what truly makes us happy. Whether you've struggled with feelings of unfulfillment or not, "Fulfillment" is a poem that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned the pursuit of happiness.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry Fulfillment: A Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations about life and love. Her poem "Poetry Fulfillment" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of the human experience with its vivid imagery, poignant language, and profound insights into the nature of love and longing.

The poem begins with a simple yet powerful image of a "little bird" that is "singing in the sun." This image immediately evokes a sense of joy and freedom, as the bird is free to sing and soar in the open sky. However, the poem quickly takes a darker turn as the speaker laments that she is "not that bird" and that she is "caged" and "cannot fly."

This contrast between the freedom of the bird and the confinement of the speaker sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which explores the theme of longing and unfulfilled desire. The speaker yearns for something more, something that will bring her the same sense of joy and fulfillment that the bird experiences in its freedom.

The poem then shifts to a series of vivid and evocative images that capture the speaker's longing and desire. She imagines herself as a "flower" that is "waiting for the rain," a "ship" that is "sailing on a lonely sea," and a "star" that is "shining in the night." Each of these images represents a different aspect of the speaker's longing, whether it is for love, companionship, or simply a sense of purpose and meaning in life.

Throughout the poem, Parker's language is both beautiful and haunting, as she uses vivid metaphors and imagery to convey the speaker's emotions. For example, when the speaker describes herself as a "flower" waiting for the rain, the image is both beautiful and sad, as it suggests that the speaker is in a state of longing and waiting for something that may never come.

Similarly, when the speaker describes herself as a "ship" sailing on a lonely sea, the image is both powerful and poignant, as it suggests that the speaker is adrift and alone in the world, searching for a sense of direction and purpose.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's longing becomes more intense and desperate, as she imagines herself as a "bird" that is "beating at the bars" of its cage, trying to escape. This image is particularly powerful, as it suggests that the speaker is trapped and confined by her own desires and longings, unable to break free and find the fulfillment she seeks.

Finally, the poem ends with a sense of resignation and acceptance, as the speaker acknowledges that she may never find the fulfillment she seeks. She says that she is "content" to simply "watch the bird" and listen to its song, even though she cannot join it in its freedom.

This ending is both sad and beautiful, as it suggests that the speaker has come to accept her limitations and find a sense of peace in the world around her. It also suggests that there is a kind of beauty and fulfillment in simply observing and appreciating the world, even if we cannot always be a part of it.

In conclusion, "Poetry Fulfillment" is a masterpiece of modern poetry that captures the essence of the human experience with its vivid imagery, poignant language, and profound insights into the nature of love and longing. Through its powerful images and haunting language, the poem evokes a sense of longing and desire that is both universal and deeply personal, and it speaks to the human condition in a way that is both timeless and profound. For anyone who has ever felt trapped or confined by their own desires and longings, this poem is a powerful reminder that there is beauty and fulfillment to be found in simply observing and appreciating the world around us.

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