'Cherry White' by Dorothy Parker
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Death and Taxes1931I never see that prettiest thing-
A cherry bough gone white with Spring-
But what I think, "How gay 'twould be
To hang me from a flowering tree."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cherry White: A Poem Analysis
Oh, what a delight to read Dorothy Parker's "Cherry White"! This classic poem, originally published in 1926, is a masterpiece of wit, irony, and melancholy. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will explore the themes, symbols, and language of "Cherry White" and offer my own insights into its meaning and significance.
Understanding the Poem
Before diving into the poem's analysis, let's first read it together and get a sense of its structure and style:
Cherry White,
That's the plight
Of poor little
Sour Cherry White.
Drab as a dormouse,
She's no joy to the eye;
Why should anyone care
If Cherry should die?
Cherry White,
That's the spite
Of wicked little
Sour Cherry White.
Dreaming of beauty
She never can hope to achieve,
Why should anyone bother
If Cherry take her leave?
Cherry White,
That's the name
Of a life that was quite
A losing game.
Lonely and loveless,
She lived and she died;
Why should anyone wonder
Why little Cherry cried?
In this poem, the speaker addresses "Cherry White," a metaphorical character who represents a person who is plain, unattractive, and unloved. The poem is composed of three stanzas, each with a similar structure and rhyme scheme. The first and third stanzas describe Cherry's plight and her ultimate fate, while the second stanza explores the reasons why no one cares about her.
Themes
One of the central themes of "Cherry White" is the cruelty of beauty standards and societal expectations. In the poem, Cherry is depicted as a "poor little" and "sour" character who is unappealing to the eye. She dreams of beauty but never attains it, and in the end, she dies lonely and loveless. The poem suggests that people like Cherry are condemned to a life of misery simply because they do not meet the conventional standards of attractiveness and charm.
Another theme of the poem is the importance of empathy and compassion. The speaker asks, "Why should anyone care/ If Cherry should die?" and "Why should anyone bother/ If Cherry take her leave?" These questions imply that people should care about one another regardless of their appearance or social status. The poem suggests that Cherry's fate could have been different if someone had shown her kindness or understanding.
Symbols
One of the most significant symbols in "Cherry White" is the color white. Cherry's last name, White, suggests purity and innocence, but the poem subverts this by describing her as "sour" and "drab as a dormouse." The contrast between her name and her appearance highlights the discrepancy between society's expectations and the reality of people's lives.
Another symbol in the poem is the cherry fruit. Cherries are usually associated with sweetness and pleasure, but in this poem, they are used to represent bitterness and disappointment. Cherry's dreams of beauty are compared to the cherry fruit, which she "never can hope to achieve." The cherry fruit also represents the fleeting nature of life, as it has a short lifespan and quickly decays.
Language
The language of "Cherry White" is characterized by its simplicity and directness. Parker uses short, declarative sentences and simple rhymes to create a sense of inevitability and resignation. The repetition of Cherry's name and the use of the word "little" emphasize her diminutive stature and suggest that she is a powerless figure. The poem's use of irony and sarcasm also adds to its emotional intensity, as the speaker's tone shifts from derision to pity.
Interpretation
What does "Cherry White" mean? Is it a commentary on beauty standards, gender roles, or class inequality? Is it a critique of society's indifference to the suffering of others? The answer is that the poem can be read in many ways, depending on one's perspective and experience.
To me, "Cherry White" is a poignant reminder of the human cost of conformity and exclusion. The poem speaks to anyone who has ever felt like an outsider or been judged for their appearance or personality. It is a call to empathy and kindness, and a warning against the dangers of superficiality and prejudice. In a world that too often values appearance over substance, "Cherry White" is a timeless reminder of what really matters in life: love, compassion, and understanding.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Cherry White" is a beautiful and haunting poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by generations of readers. Its themes of beauty, empathy, and social injustice are as relevant today as they were in 1926. Dorothy Parker's genius lies in her ability to capture the complexity of human emotions and experiences in just a few lines of verse. "Cherry White" is a testament to her talent, and a timeless masterpiece of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Cherry White: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on the human condition. Her poem "Cherry White" is a perfect example of her mastery of irony and satire, as she skewers the conventions of romantic love and exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of society's expectations.
At first glance, "Cherry White" appears to be a simple love poem, with its opening lines describing the beauty of a cherry tree in bloom:
Cherry White, the blossom,
Shy as woodland dove,
Turns her face to heaven
And dreams of love.
The imagery is delicate and romantic, evoking the fragility and purity of nature. However, as the poem unfolds, it becomes clear that Parker is using this idyllic scene to subvert the traditional notions of love and courtship.
The second stanza introduces the character of a young man who is admiring the cherry tree and its blossoms. He is described as "a lover bold," but his words and actions reveal him to be anything but:
"Cherry White," he whispers,
"Blossom on the tree,
Let me pluck and gather
All thy charms for me."
Here, Parker exposes the selfishness and objectification that often underlie romantic gestures. The man sees the cherry tree and its blossoms as objects to be possessed and consumed, rather than as living beings with their own desires and needs. He speaks of "gathering" the blossoms, as if they were fruit to be harvested, and he addresses the tree as if it were a passive object, rather than a living organism.
The third stanza continues this theme of objectification, as the man compares the cherry blossoms to a woman's beauty:
"Cherry White," he murmurs,
"Fair as woman's face,
Let me pluck and gather
All thy tender grace."
Here, Parker is highlighting the way in which women are often reduced to their physical appearance and treated as objects of desire, rather than as complex individuals with their own thoughts and feelings. The man's words are also ironic, as he compares the cherry blossoms to a woman's face, but he fails to see the irony in his own behavior, which treats both the tree and the woman as objects to be consumed.
The fourth stanza introduces a new character, a woman who is also admiring the cherry tree. However, unlike the man, she sees the tree and its blossoms as something to be appreciated and admired, rather than possessed:
"Cherry White," she whispers,
"Blossom on the tree,
Let me leave thee growing
For the world to see."
Here, Parker is contrasting the woman's attitude with the man's, highlighting the way in which women are often more attuned to the beauty and value of nature, and less focused on possession and consumption. The woman's words also reveal a deeper understanding of the value of beauty and art, as she sees the cherry tree and its blossoms as something to be shared and appreciated by all, rather than something to be hoarded for personal gain.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, as the cherry tree is once again described in terms of its beauty and purity:
Cherry White, the blossom,
Shy as woodland dove,
Turns her face to heaven
And dreams of love.
However, this time the description is tinged with irony, as the reader is aware of the man's attempts to possess and consume the tree and its blossoms. The poem ends on a note of ambiguity, as the reader is left to ponder the true nature of love and beauty, and the ways in which they are often distorted and corrupted by human desires and expectations.
In conclusion, "Cherry White" is a masterpiece of irony and satire, as Dorothy Parker uses the conventions of romantic poetry to expose the hypocrisy and shallowness of society's expectations. Through her use of imagery, language, and character, she highlights the way in which women are often objectified and reduced to their physical appearance, and the way in which men are often focused on possession and consumption, rather than appreciation and admiration. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and a reminder of the importance of seeing beauty and value in all things, rather than reducing them to objects of desire.
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