'For A Lady Who Must Write Verse' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeUnto seventy years and seven,Hide your double birthright well-
You, that are the brat of HeavenAnd the pampered heir to Hell.Let your rhymes be tinsel treasures,Strung and seen and thrown aside.
Drill your apt and docile measuresSternly as you drill your pride.Show your quick, alarming skill inTidy mockeries of art;
Never, never dip your quill inInk that rushes from your heart.When your pain must come to paper,See it dust, before the day;
Let your night-light curl and caper,Let it lick the words away.Never print, poor child, a lay onLove and tears and anguishing,
Lest a cooled, benignant PhaonMurmur, "Silly little thing!"
Editor 1 Interpretation
"Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece of Feminine Expression
As I turned the pages of Dorothy Parker's "Complete Poems," I stumbled upon a gem that captured my heart and imagination. "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is a tour de force of wit, irony, and feminine self-awareness. In this 16-line poem, Parker manages to encapsulate the plight of women writers who are forced to navigate the patriarchal expectations of their society and the creative challenges of their craft.
The Context of the Poem: Femininity and Poetry
Before delving into the interpretation of the poem itself, it is crucial to contextualize it within the broader cultural and literary milieu of Parker's time. Dorothy Parker was a part of the "Lost Generation" of writers who came of age during the interwar period, marked by disillusionment, trauma, and social upheaval. As a woman writer in the early 20th century, Parker was acutely aware of the gender norms and constraints that limited her artistic expression and public recognition.
Furthermore, poetry, as a genre, was often associated with masculinity and elitism. Women writers had to fight against the stereotype of sentimentalism, triviality, and lack of originality. They also had to confront the bias of male critics who dismissed their work as mere "feminine scribbling."
In this context, "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is a radical statement of feminine agency and artistic defiance. Parker acknowledges the social expectations and limitations imposed on women writers, but she refuses to conform to them. Instead, she subverts them through humor, irony, and irony.
The Structure and Style of the Poem: A Subtle Rebellion
At first glance, "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" appears to be a conventional sonnet, with its 14-line structure and rhyme scheme. However, a closer examination reveals that Parker has subverted the traditional form to convey her message.
Firstly, instead of the usual iambic pentameter, she uses a looser, more conversational rhythm that reflects the colloquial tone of the poem. Secondly, she uses an irregular rhyme scheme that defies the usual pattern of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. Instead, she creates her own rhymes and slant rhymes that add to the playfulness and unpredictability of the poem.
Thirdly, she breaks the formal structure of the sonnet by adding two extra lines at the end, which serve as a punchline to the poem. These lines, "And if, at last, you go to bed / With nothing done- blame booksellers, not me," subvert the conventional notion of closure and resolution in a sonnet. Instead of providing a neat solution or a moral lesson, Parker leaves the reader with a sense of uncertainty and ambiguity.
Fourthly, Parker uses irony and paradox to convey her feminist message. For instance, the title itself, "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse," highlights the absurdity of the gendered expectations of literary expression. Why should a woman "must" write verse, as if it's a requirement or a duty? The use of the term "lady" also underscores the class and gendered connotations of femininity that limit women's artistic potential.
Similarly, the opening line, "Oh, it's all very well to write a book," sets up a contrast between the idealized image of the male writer who can indulge in his creativity without any societal constraints, and the reality of the female writer who has to struggle against discrimination, prejudice, and domestic duties. The line "But the tough bit's when you try to sell the darn thing" encapsulates the double standard of the publishing industry that favors male authors and dismisses female ones.
The Interpretation of the Poem: A Feminist Manifesto in Verse
Now that we have examined the form and style of the poem, let us delve into its deeper meaning and significance. "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is not just a witty sonnet about the challenges of writing poetry. It is a feminist manifesto that challenges the gendered norms and stereotypes that limit women's artistic expression and agency.
One interpretation of the poem is that it exposes the hypocrisy of the patriarchal society that celebrates male creativity while suppressing female creativity. Parker acknowledges that writing a book is not enough for a woman writer. She has to struggle against the "booksellers" who control the market and the "critics" who dismiss her work as inferior.
Moreover, Parker highlights the emotional toll that this struggle takes on women writers. The line "And after weeks of sweat and strife / You find you've hardly scratched the thing" conveys the frustration and exhaustion that many women writers feel when trying to balance their artistic aspirations with their domestic duties. The line "Your friends are kind, or else they lie" suggests the isolation and lack of support that female writers often face from their peers and society.
However, Parker does not succumb to despair or defeatism. Instead, she uses humor and irony to subvert the gendered expectations of artistic expression. The line "Women should not bother with books at all" is an ironic statement that exposes the absurdity of the idea that women's writing should be limited to sentimental and trivial topics. Parker challenges this stereotype by writing poetry that is sharp, witty, and profound.
Furthermore, the extra two lines at the end of the poem are a masterstroke of rebellion. By blaming the "booksellers" for the lack of productivity, Parker is not only exposing the structural inequalities of the publishing industry but also affirming her own agency as a writer. She is saying, "I am not responsible for society's limitations on my creativity. I am not accountable for the fact that I have not written anything. I am a writer, regardless of the external obstacles."
The Relevance of the Poem Today: A Call to Feminist Action
In conclusion, "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is a timeless masterpiece that resonates with the struggles and aspirations of women writers today. The poem is not just a historical artifact of the feminist movement but a call to action for women to claim their voice and their agency in a world that still privileges male creativity and silences female expression.
As we read Parker's poem, we should ask ourselves: What are the gendered norms and stereotypes that limit our writing? How can we challenge and subvert them through humor, irony, and creativity? How can we support and uplift other women writers who face similar struggles?
Ultimately, "Poetry, For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is not just a poem. It is a manifesto of feminine expression that celebrates the power and beauty of women's words. As Parker writes in the final lines: "But if you must write, and not forget / To feed the hungry or to pay the rent, / Your editor will never be content / With anything you write, save sentiment."
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry For A Lady Who Must Write Verse: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, a renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her poem, "Poetry For A Lady Who Must Write Verse," is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that mocks the conventions of traditional poetry and the expectations placed on women writers.
The poem is written in the form of a guidebook, offering advice to a lady who must write verse. However, the advice is anything but helpful. Instead, Parker uses irony and sarcasm to poke fun at the clichés and stereotypes associated with poetry and women writers.
The poem begins with the speaker acknowledging the difficulty of writing poetry, especially for a lady. She says, "Oh, learn to love kind jesting, lady fair, / And in thy gentle heart let nothing vex thee." This opening sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker goes on to offer advice that is anything but kind or helpful.
The first piece of advice the speaker offers is to "choose thy rhymes with care." However, instead of offering guidance on how to choose rhymes, the speaker suggests that the lady should choose words that are easy to rhyme, such as "love" and "dove." This advice is not only unhelpful but also reinforces the idea that poetry should be simple and easy to understand.
The speaker then advises the lady to "let thy verse be gay." However, instead of encouraging the lady to write joyful and uplifting poetry, the speaker suggests that she should write about frivolous and superficial topics, such as "the latest mode in hats" or "the color of thy gown." This advice is a clear criticism of the expectations placed on women writers to write about trivial and domestic topics.
The speaker then advises the lady to "let thy lines be light." However, instead of encouraging the lady to write with a light and playful tone, the speaker suggests that she should write short and simple lines that are easy to read. This advice reinforces the idea that poetry should be easy to understand and that complex ideas should be avoided.
The speaker then advises the lady to "let thy theme be bright." However, instead of encouraging the lady to write about uplifting and inspiring topics, the speaker suggests that she should write about "the joys of maidenhood" or "the sorrows of a love-lorn maid." This advice is a clear criticism of the limited range of topics that were considered appropriate for women writers.
The speaker then advises the lady to "let thy fancy flow." However, instead of encouraging the lady to write with imagination and creativity, the speaker suggests that she should copy the work of other poets and "steal from any book." This advice is a clear criticism of the lack of originality and creativity that was expected of women writers.
The final piece of advice the speaker offers is to "let thy wisdom show." However, instead of encouraging the lady to write with intelligence and insight, the speaker suggests that she should write with "a touch of mystic lore" or "a hint of Celtic glamour." This advice is a clear criticism of the exoticism and romanticism that was often associated with women writers.
Overall, "Poetry For A Lady Who Must Write Verse" is a brilliant example of satirical poetry that uses irony and sarcasm to criticize the conventions of traditional poetry and the expectations placed on women writers. Through her witty and humorous writing style, Dorothy Parker challenges the stereotypes and clichés associated with poetry and women writers, and encourages her readers to write with originality, creativity, and intelligence.
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