'Daylight Saving' by Dorothy Parker
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Sunset RopeMy answers are inadequate
To those demanding day and date
And ever set a tiny shock
Through strangers asking what's o'clock;
Whose days are spent in whittling rhyme-
What's time to her, or she to Time?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Daylight Saving: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Dorothy Parker, a renowned American writer, is widely known for her sharp wit and humor. However, her literary works such as poems, short stories, and essays are equally powerful, evocative, and thought-provoking. "Daylight Saving," one of Parker's most popular poems, is an example of her literary prowess that delves into the themes of time, love, and self-reflection. This literary criticism and interpretation will delve into the meaning, themes, and significance of Parker's "Daylight Saving."
The Context
Before delving into the interpretation of "Daylight Saving," it is essential to understand the context in which Parker wrote this poem. Parker was born in 1893 and lived through tumultuous times that shaped her worldview and writing. She was a part of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals known for their witty and satirical conversations. Parker's writing often reflected her own experiences of love, heartbreak, and loneliness, which are evident in "Daylight Saving."
Parker wrote "Daylight Saving" in the 1920s, a period of rapid industrialization, economic growth, and social change in the United States. The poem was published in 1937, at a time when the United States was recovering from the Great Depression and heading towards the Second World War. The context of the poem reflects the larger social and economic changes that were taking place in the country.
The Poem
"Daylight Saving" is a short poem comprising three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's structure is simple yet effective, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of reflection, regret, and longing. The poem's title itself is significant, as daylight saving refers to the practice of setting clocks forward by an hour in the summer months to maximize daylight hours. The title sets the tone for the poem, which is reflective and introspective, much like the act of setting one's clock forward to gain more time.
Stanza 1
The first stanza of "Daylight Saving" sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Parker writes:
" My love has told me
That he needs me.
That's why I take
His hanky while he sleeps."
The stanza is deceptively simple, with Parker using everyday language to create a sense of intimacy and longing. The use of the word "love" sets up the theme of love and relationships, which are central to the poem. The line "That's why I take/His hanky while he sleeps" is intriguing and slightly unsettling. It suggests that the speaker is taking something from their lover without their knowledge, which creates a sense of secrecy and intimacy. This line also introduces the theme of time, as the speaker is taking something from their lover while they sleep, much like the way time passes without us realizing it.
Stanza 2
The second stanza of "Daylight Saving" builds on the first stanza and further explores the theme of time. Parker writes:
" Time was away and somewhere else,
There were two glasses and two chairs
And two people with the one pulse
(Somebody stopped the moving stairs)"
The stanza is more complex than the first, with Parker using imagery and metaphors to create a sense of longing and nostalgia. The line "Time was away and somewhere else" suggests that the speaker is lost in a moment of timelessness with their lover. The use of the phrase "two people with the one pulse" is striking, as it suggests a deep connection between the two lovers. The final line of the stanza, "Somebody stopped the moving stairs," is ambiguous and open to interpretation. It suggests that time has stopped or that the speaker wants time to stop, emphasizing the theme of time.
Stanza 3
The final stanza of "Daylight Saving" is a powerful conclusion to the poem. Parker writes:
" You may tell that German College
That their honor came too late,
But they must not waste repentance
On the grizzly savant's fate."
The stanza is a departure from the themes of love and time and introduces a political and social commentary. The reference to the German College suggests that the poem is set in the context of World War II, and the line "their honor came too late" suggests a critique of the college's response to the war. The use of the phrase "grizzly savant's fate" is intriguing, as it is open to interpretation. It could refer to a scientist who has been ignored or betrayed, or it could represent the speaker's own fate. The final line of the poem is ambiguous, leaving the reader to interpret its meaning.
The Themes
"Daylight Saving" explores several themes that are central to Parker's writing. The most prominent themes are time, love, and regret.
Time
Time is a central theme of "Daylight Saving," with Parker using various metaphors and imagery to create a sense of timelessness and longing. The use of the phrase "Time was away and somewhere else" suggests that the speaker is lost in a moment of timelessness with their lover. The image of the moving stairs stopping reinforces this sense of timelessness, as does the act of setting the clock forward. The poem suggests that time is fleeting and that we must seize the moment before it is too late.
Love
Love is another central theme of "Daylight Saving," with Parker using everyday language to create a sense of intimacy and longing. The use of the word "love" sets up the theme of love and relationships, which are central to the poem. The line "That's why I take/His hanky while he sleeps" is intriguing and slightly unsettling. It suggests that the speaker is taking something from their lover without their knowledge, which creates a sense of secrecy and intimacy. The phrase "two people with the one pulse" suggests a deep connection between the two lovers.
Regret
Regret is another prominent theme in "Daylight Saving," with the poem suggesting that time is fleeting and that we must seize the moment before it is too late. The use of the phrase "their honor came too late" suggests a sense of regret and missed opportunities. The poem suggests that we must not waste our time on things that do not matter and that we must seize the moment before it is too late.
Conclusion
"Daylight Saving" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the themes of time, love, and regret. Parker uses various metaphors and imagery to create a sense of timelessness and longing, with the poem suggesting that time is fleeting and that we must seize the moment before it is too late. The poem also explores the themes of love and regret, with the speaker reflecting on their own experiences of love and relationships. Overall, "Daylight Saving" is a beautifully crafted poem that showcases Parker's literary prowess and her ability to create powerful and thought-provoking works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry is a form of art that has the power to evoke emotions and thoughts in the reader's mind. It is a medium that allows the poet to express their deepest feelings and thoughts in a creative and imaginative way. One such poem that has stood the test of time is "Daylight Saving" by Dorothy Parker. This poem is a beautiful representation of the complexities of human emotions and the passage of time.
Dorothy Parker was an American poet, writer, and critic who was known for her wit and humor. She was a prominent figure in the literary world during the early 20th century and was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals who met regularly to exchange ideas and opinions. Parker's poetry was known for its sharp wit, irony, and social commentary.
"Daylight Saving" is a short poem that consists of only six lines. However, within those six lines, Parker manages to capture the essence of human emotions and the passage of time. The poem begins with the line, "My love has told me that he needs me." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem and establishes the theme of love and relationships.
The second line of the poem, "That's why I'm feeling so happy," is a reflection of the speaker's emotions. The speaker is happy because their love has expressed their need for them. This line is a beautiful representation of the joy that comes with being loved and needed by someone.
However, the third line of the poem, "But I don't need him," introduces a sense of conflict into the poem. The speaker is happy because their love needs them, but they do not need their love. This line is a reflection of the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It is possible to love someone deeply but not necessarily need them in the same way.
The fourth line of the poem, "So where does that leave me?" is a question that many people ask themselves in relationships. The speaker is unsure of their place in the relationship because they do not need their love in the same way that their love needs them. This line is a reflection of the uncertainty and confusion that can arise in relationships.
The fifth line of the poem, "Alone, with a clock," introduces the theme of time into the poem. The speaker is alone with a clock, which is a symbol of the passage of time. This line is a reflection of the inevitability of time and how it affects relationships. Time can bring people together, but it can also tear them apart.
The final line of the poem, "Oh, wait and wait and wait," is a reflection of the speaker's uncertainty and anxiety. The speaker is waiting for something to happen, but they are not sure what that something is. This line is a reflection of the uncertainty and anxiety that can arise in relationships.
Overall, "Daylight Saving" is a beautiful poem that captures the complexities of human emotions and relationships. It is a reflection of the joy, conflict, uncertainty, and anxiety that can arise in relationships. Parker's use of language and imagery is masterful, and she manages to convey a deep sense of emotion in just six lines. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry and its ability to evoke emotions and thoughts in the reader's mind.
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