'Dilemma' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeIf I were mild, and I were sweet,
And laid my heart before your feet,
And took my dearest thoughts to you,
And hailed your easy lies as true;
Were I to murmur "Yes," and then
"How true, my dear," and "Yes," again,
And wear my eyes discreetly down,
And tremble whitely at your frown,
And keep my words unquestioning
My love, you'd run like anything!Should I be frail, and I be mad,
And share my heart with every lad,
But beat my head against the floor
What times you wandered past my door;
Were I to doubt, and I to sneer,
And shriek "Farewell!" and still be here,
And break your joy, and quench your trust-
I should not see you for the dust!
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Classic Dilemma by Dorothy Parker: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, where do I even begin? As a lover of poetry, it’s hard not to get excited about analyzing Dorothy Parker’s “Dilemma”. This classic poem, with its clever wordplay and deep emotional resonance, has been admired and studied for decades. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will examine the themes, structure, and language of this poem, as well as its historical context and relevance today.
Background on Dorothy Parker
Before delving into the poem itself, it’s important to understand a bit about Dorothy Parker, the woman behind the words. Parker was an American writer, poet, and critic who lived from 1893 to 1967. She was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of literary and cultural figures who met regularly in New York City in the 1920s and 30s.
Parker was known for her wit, humor, and sharp-tongued criticism. She wrote for publications such as The New Yorker and Vanity Fair, and her poetry and short stories were widely published. Her writing often tackled themes of love, relationships, and the struggles of being a woman in a male-dominated society.
The Poem: A Summary
“Dilemma” is a short, 12-line poem that explores the difficult choice between love and freedom. The poem begins with the speaker declaring that she would rather be “free” than be in love. She goes on to describe the pain and heartache that comes with being in a relationship, including jealousy and the fear of losing someone.
But then, in the final two lines, the speaker admits that despite all of this, she cannot help but fall in love again and again. The poem ends with the speaker acknowledging the contradictory nature of her feelings: she wants to be free, but she also wants to love.
The Themes
At its core, “Dilemma” is a poem about the tension between love and freedom. The speaker grapples with the desire for both, but ultimately cannot fully have either. This theme is a common one in literature, particularly in the Romantic era. However, Parker’s poem takes a more cynical and realistic approach to the topic.
The poem also explores the pain and heartache that come with love. The speaker describes the jealousy, fear, and vulnerability that love can bring. This theme is particularly relevant to Parker’s own life, as she had a string of tumultuous relationships and marriages.
The Structure
“Dilemma” is a sonnet, a form of poetry that has been used for centuries to explore themes of love and romance. However, Parker’s sonnet deviates from the traditional structure in a few ways. First, it has only 12 lines instead of the usual 14. Second, it does not follow a strict rhyme scheme, although there are some half-rhymes present.
The poem is also notable for its use of enjambment, the technique of ending a line in the middle of a sentence or phrase. This gives the poem a sense of flowing movement, as if the speaker’s thoughts are constantly shifting and evolving.
The Language
One of the most striking aspects of “Dilemma” is Parker’s use of language. The poem is full of clever wordplay and subtle nuances. For example, the opening line – “If I should love again” – could be read as either a statement of fact or a hypothetical scenario.
The poem also contains several instances of repetition, such as the repeated use of the word “love” in the final line. This repetition serves to emphasize the speaker’s conflicting emotions.
The Historical Context
“Dilemma” was written in the early 20th century, a time when women’s roles and expectations were changing rapidly. The suffrage movement was gaining momentum, and women were beginning to challenge traditional gender roles.
Parker herself was a trailblazer for women in the arts. She was one of the few female members of the Algonquin Round Table, and her writing challenged societal norms and expectations.
In “Dilemma”, Parker explores the tension between the desire for independence and the societal pressure to conform to traditional gender roles. The speaker’s desire for freedom can be seen as a reflection of the changing attitudes towards women at the time.
The Relevance Today
Despite being written almost a century ago, “Dilemma” remains relevant today. The poem speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with conflicting emotions and desires.
In addition, the theme of the tension between love and freedom is one that is still relevant to contemporary society. Many people today struggle with the balance between maintaining their independence and pursuing romantic relationships.
Finally, the poem’s exploration of the pain and heartache of love is a theme that will never go out of style. Love is a complex and often painful emotion, one that has been explored in literature for centuries and will continue to be explored for centuries to come.
In Conclusion
Dorothy Parker’s “Dilemma” is a timeless poem that explores the tension between love and freedom. Through its clever wordplay, subtle nuances, and emotional resonance, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with conflicting desires and emotions. Despite being written almost a century ago, the poem remains relevant today and will continue to be studied and admired for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Poetry Dilemma by Dorothy Parker is a classic piece of literature that has stood the test of time. It is a poem that speaks to the heart of every writer who has ever struggled with the question of whether to write for themselves or for their audience. In this 2000-word analysis, we will explore the themes of the poem, its structure, and its relevance to modern-day writers.
The poem begins with the speaker stating that she would like to write poetry that is "simple and sincere." This is a common desire among writers, as many believe that the best writing is that which is honest and straightforward. However, the speaker quickly realizes that this is easier said than done. She notes that "simple and sincere" poetry is often dismissed as "silly" or "trite" by critics and readers alike.
This is the crux of the poem's dilemma: should a writer write what they truly feel, even if it is not well-received, or should they write what they think will be popular and well-liked? The speaker struggles with this question throughout the poem, and ultimately comes to the conclusion that she cannot please everyone. She must write for herself, and hope that others will appreciate her work.
The structure of the poem is simple and straightforward, which is fitting given its subject matter. It is written in four stanzas, each with four lines. The rhyme scheme is ABAB, which gives the poem a musical quality. The language is also simple and accessible, which makes it easy for readers to connect with the speaker's struggle.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way in which the speaker uses language to convey her dilemma. She notes that "rhyme is the refuge of the unimaginative," which is a clever play on words. On the one hand, she is saying that using rhyme is a crutch for writers who lack creativity. On the other hand, she is using rhyme herself in this very line. This shows that even the speaker, who is struggling with the question of whether to write for herself or for her audience, is not immune to the lure of rhyme.
The poem also contains several allusions to other works of literature. For example, the line "I'd rather be Maud Gonne than Mrs. Grundy" is a reference to the Irish revolutionary Maud Gonne, who was a muse for the poet W.B. Yeats. Mrs. Grundy, on the other hand, is a character from a play by Thomas Morton who represents the opinions of society. The speaker is saying that she would rather be true to herself, like Maud Gonne, than conform to the expectations of society, like Mrs. Grundy.
Another allusion in the poem is to the Greek myth of Icarus. The speaker notes that "Icarus-like, the feathered man, Icarus-like, I soared." This is a reference to the story of Icarus, who flew too close to the sun and fell to his death when his wings melted. The speaker is saying that, like Icarus, she has taken a risk by writing what she truly feels. She may fall, but at least she will have tried.
The relevance of this poem to modern-day writers cannot be overstated. In an age where social media and instant gratification reign supreme, it can be tempting to write what we think will be popular rather than what we truly feel. However, as the speaker in the poem notes, this is a trap. We cannot please everyone, and trying to do so will only lead to disappointment.
Instead, we must write for ourselves. We must be true to our own voices and our own experiences. This is not always easy, but it is necessary if we want to create work that is meaningful and authentic. As the poet Mary Oliver once said, "Write what you want to read. The person you should most want to please is yourself."
In conclusion, The Poetry Dilemma by Dorothy Parker is a timeless piece of literature that speaks to the heart of every writer. Its themes of authenticity, creativity, and the struggle to please oneself versus pleasing others are as relevant today as they were when the poem was first written. Its simple structure and accessible language make it a poem that is easy to connect with, and its clever use of language and allusions to other works of literature make it a joy to read and analyze. As writers, we can all learn from the speaker's dilemma and strive to be true to ourselves in our own work.
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