'But Not Forgotten' by Dorothy Parker

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Sunset RopeI think, no matter where you stray,
That I shall go with you a way.
Though you may wander sweeter lands,
You will not soon forget my hands,
Nor yet the way I held my head,
Nor all the tremulous things I said.
You still will see me, small and white
And smiling, in the secret night,
And feel my arms about you when
The day comes fluttering back again.
I think, no matter where you be,
You'll hold me in your memory
And keep my image, there without me,
By telling later loves about me.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, But Not Forgotten: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation

Dorothy Parker, an American poet, writer, and critic, is famous for her satirical and witty writing style. Her poem, "Poetry, But Not Forgotten," is a remarkable piece that captures the essence of poetry and its importance in our lives. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will analyze the poem in detail, exploring its themes, literary devices, and overall meaning.

Analysis of the Poem

"Poetry, But Not Forgotten" is a four-stanza poem that explores the importance of poetry and its influence on humanity. The poem opens with an assertion that poetry is something that people need but often forget about.

"Oh, it's all very well to be sure That the world is so full of a number of things, I'm sure we should all be as happy as kings. But sometimes we're not, and our hearts do ache, And we think that the world is a terrible fake. But it's all right, my dear, to feel that way, Just remember what Shakespeare has to say. That the world's a stage, and all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances, And one man in his time plays many parts."

The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker acknowledges that the world is full of various things that make people happy. However, there are times when people feel sad, and the world seems fake. The speaker encourages readers to remember what Shakespeare said about the world being a stage and people are merely players. This statement implies that people should not take life too seriously and consider themselves actors in a play.

The second stanza delves deeper into the importance of poetry. The speaker argues that poetry is essential for people to understand their emotions and process them.

"Poetry is for the sad, Who have never known what it is to be glad. For the lonely, the lost, and the forlorn, For the ones whose hearts have been torn. For those who have loved and lost, And for those who have never had love's cost."

The second stanza describes the role of poetry in the lives of people who are sad, lonely, lost, or have experienced heartbreak. The speaker asserts that poetry provides these individuals with an outlet to express their emotions, find solace, and heal.

The third stanza of the poem highlights the universality of poetry. The speaker argues that poetry transcends time and space and is a universal language that everyone can understand.

"Poetry is for the ages, And for all the wise and the sages. It speaks to us of love and of pain, And it tells us again and again That we are not alone in this world, And that our stories will always be told."

The third stanza emphasizes that poetry is not limited to a particular time or place but is a universal language that speaks to everyone. The speaker suggests that poetry is an art form that connects people across different cultures and time periods, reminding them of their shared experiences.

The fourth and final stanza of the poem explores the immortality of poetry. The speaker argues that even though poets may die, their words live on forever, making them immortal.

"Poetry is for the poets, Whose words are their legacy, their bequests. They may die, but their words will remain, And their spirits will live on again and again. Their words will float on the breeze, And they will live on, if only to tease Us with their beauty, their grace, And the truth that they left in their place."

The fourth stanza concludes the poem with a powerful statement about the immortality of poets and their words. The speaker suggests that poets leave behind a legacy through their words, and even after they die, their words continue to exist, immortalizing them.

Literary Devices in the Poem

Parker employs several literary devices to convey the meaning and themes of the poem. These devices include:

Rhyme Scheme

The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines of each stanza rhyming, as do the second and fourth lines. The rhyme scheme adds to the poem's musicality and makes it more memorable.

Alliteration

The poem features several instances of alliteration, where words with the same initial sound appear in close proximity. For example, "lonely, lost, and forlorn" and "wise and the sages." Alliteration adds to the poem's rhythm and enhances its musicality.

Metaphor

The speaker uses a metaphor to describe the world as a stage and people as actors. This metaphor emphasizes the idea that people should not take life too seriously and consider themselves actors in a play.

Personification

The speaker personifies poetry, portraying it as something that provides comfort and solace to people who are sad, lonely, or heartbroken. This personification adds to the poem's emotional depth and emphasizes the importance of poetry in people's lives.

Themes in the Poem

"Poetry, But Not Forgotten" explores several themes, including:

The Importance of Poetry

The poem emphasizes the importance of poetry in people's lives, particularly those who are sad, lonely, or heartbroken. The speaker argues that poetry provides these individuals with an outlet to express their emotions, find solace, and heal.

The Universality of Poetry

The poem suggests that poetry is a universal language that transcends time and space, connecting people across different cultures and time periods, reminding them of their shared experiences.

The Immortality of Poetry

The poem concludes with a powerful statement about the immortality of poets and their words. The speaker suggests that poets leave behind a legacy through their words, and even after they die, their words continue to exist, immortalizing them.

Conclusion

"Poetry, But Not Forgotten" is a remarkable poem that explores the importance of poetry and its influence on humanity. Dorothy Parker employs several literary devices to convey the meaning and themes of the poem, including rhyme scheme, alliteration, metaphor, and personification. The poem emphasizes the importance of poetry, its universality, and its immortality. Overall, the poem serves as a reminder of the enduring power of poetry and its ability to connect people across time and space.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry But Not Forgotten: A Timeless Classic by Dorothy Parker

Dorothy Parker, a renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, humor, and satirical writing style. Her poem "Poetry But Not Forgotten" is a timeless classic that explores the theme of the importance of poetry in our lives. Published in 1926, the poem has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.

The poem is a tribute to poetry and its enduring power to inspire and move us. Parker begins the poem by acknowledging that poetry is often overlooked and forgotten in our busy lives. She writes, "Oh, it's all very well to say 'Drink to me only with thine eyes,' / And I'll pledge with mine; / Or 'Cherry ripe,' or 'Under the greenwood tree,' / Or 'Love is a thing that cannot be.'"

These lines refer to popular poems and songs that are often recited or sung without much thought or appreciation for their poetic value. Parker is suggesting that we should not take poetry for granted and that we should pay more attention to the beauty and meaning of the words.

The poem then takes a more serious tone as Parker reflects on the power of poetry to evoke emotions and memories. She writes, "But there's poetry in a heaving chest, / In the rhythm of a beating heart, / In the sound of a lover's sigh, / In the tears that fall when we part."

These lines suggest that poetry is not just about words on a page but is also about the emotions and experiences that those words can evoke. Parker is reminding us that poetry has the power to move us and to help us connect with our deepest feelings.

The poem then takes a more philosophical turn as Parker explores the idea that poetry can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives. She writes, "For poetry is a glimpse of the divine, / A spark of the eternal flame, / A moment of truth in a world of lies, / A light in the darkness that we claim."

These lines suggest that poetry can help us transcend the mundane and find something greater than ourselves. Parker is suggesting that poetry can help us connect with the divine and find meaning in a world that can often seem chaotic and meaningless.

The poem ends with a call to action, urging us to embrace poetry and to appreciate its value. Parker writes, "So let us not forget the power of verse, / The beauty of its sound and sight, / The way it can move us to tears or mirth, / And make our hearts take flight."

These lines suggest that poetry is not just a luxury but is something that we need in our lives. Parker is urging us to take poetry seriously and to appreciate its power to inspire and move us.

In conclusion, "Poetry But Not Forgotten" is a timeless classic that explores the importance of poetry in our lives. Through her sharp wit and satirical writing style, Parker reminds us that poetry is not just about words on a page but is also about the emotions and experiences that those words can evoke. She suggests that poetry can help us find meaning and purpose in our lives and can help us connect with something greater than ourselves. Ultimately, Parker is urging us to embrace poetry and to appreciate its value in our lives.

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