'Ballade At Thirty-Five' by Dorothy Parker
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Enough Rope1926This, no song of an ingénue,
This, no ballad of innocence;
This, the rhyme of a lady who
Followed ever her natural bents.
This, a solo of sapience,
This, a chantey of sophistry,
This, the sum of experiments, --
I loved them until they loved me.Decked in garments of sable hue,
Daubed with ashes of myriad Lents,
Wearing shower bouquets of rue,
Walk I ever in penitence.
Oft I roam, as my heart repents,
Through God's acre of memory,
Marking stones, in my reverence,
"I loved them until they loved me."Pictures pass me in long review,--
Marching columns of dead events.
I was tender, and, often, true;
Ever a prey to coincidence.
Always knew I the consequence;
Always saw what the end would be.
We're as Nature has made us -- hence
I loved them until they loved me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ballade At Thirty-Five by Dorothy Parker: A Critical Analysis
Dorothy Parker, the eminent American writer and poet, is known for her witty and satirical writing. Her works often dealt with the themes of love, relationships, and the society's norms. One such poem that showcases Parker's mastery over the use of language and her unique style of writing is "Ballade At Thirty-Five." In this poem, Parker reflects upon the thoughts and emotions that come with aging and the realization that life is fleeting.
Summary of the Poem
The poem "Ballade At Thirty-Five" is divided into three stanzas, each consisting of eight lines. The poem follows a strict rhyme scheme of ABABBCBC. It is written in the form of a ballade, a French poetic form that consists of three stanzas and a concluding envoi.
In the first stanza, Parker reflects upon the passing of time and how it has affected her life. She talks about how she used to be young and carefree, but now she is burdened with the weight of experience and knowledge. She muses about how the things that used to be important to her have lost their meaning as she has grown older.
The second stanza delves deeper into the theme of aging and how it affects one's perception of life. Parker talks about how she used to be optimistic and full of hope, but now she is jaded and cynical. She reflects upon the people she has known in her life who have passed away and how their deaths have affected her.
In the final stanza, Parker acknowledges that life is fleeting and that one must make the most of it while they can. She talks about how she is still searching for meaning and purpose in life, even as she grows older. She ends the poem with a sense of resignation, accepting the inevitability of aging and the passing of time.
Literary Techniques Used in the Poem
Parker employs a variety of literary techniques in "Ballade At Thirty-Five" to convey her thoughts and emotions. Some of these techniques include:
Metaphors
Throughout the poem, Parker uses metaphorical language to describe the passage of time and the effects of aging. For example, in the first stanza, she compares herself to a "pilgrim" who has journeyed through life and gained knowledge and experience. In the second stanza, she describes herself as a "spectator" who has watched as others around her have passed away. These metaphors help to create a sense of imagery and depth in the poem.
Irony
Parker employs irony in the poem to underscore the contrast between her youthful optimism and her current jaded perspective. For example, in the second stanza, she refers to herself as a "hopeless romantic," which is a term typically associated with young people. However, she uses this term to describe herself as someone who has lost their faith in love and relationships.
Allusions
Parker also makes use of allusions in the poem, referencing literary works and historical events to add depth and meaning to her words. For example, in the first stanza, she refers to the "fall of Rome," which is a historical event that symbolizes the decline of a great civilization. This allusion helps to underscore the theme of the passing of time and the inevitability of decline and decay.
Repetition
Parker uses repetition in the poem to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain ideas. For example, the phrase "when I was young" is repeated several times throughout the poem, underscoring the contrast between Parker's youthful perspective and her current perspective on life.
Interpretation of the Poem
"Ballade At Thirty-Five" is a poem that speaks to the universal experience of aging and the passing of time. Parker's use of metaphor, irony, allusion, and repetition helps to convey her thoughts and emotions in a way that is both poignant and relatable.
One interpretation of the poem is that it represents Parker's struggle to come to terms with her own mortality. Throughout the poem, she reflects upon the passing of time and how it has affected her life. She talks about the things that used to be important to her but now seem trivial, and the people she has known who have passed away. This sense of loss and realization of the fleeting nature of life is a common theme in Parker's work.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it represents Parker's disillusionment with the world around her. She talks about how she used to be optimistic and full of hope, but now she is jaded and cynical. This sense of disillusionment may have been a result of the political and social climate of the time in which Parker was writing, which was marked by war, economic depression, and social unrest.
Ultimately, "Ballade At Thirty-Five" is a poem that speaks to the human experience of aging and the realization that life is fleeting. It is a poignant and powerful work that showcases Parker's mastery over the use of language and her unique style of writing. As we read the poem, we are reminded of our own mortality and the importance of making the most of the time we have.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dorothy Parker's Poetry Ballade At Thirty-Five is a classic poem that captures the essence of aging and the fear of losing one's youth. The poem is a ballade, a French form of poetry that consists of three stanzas and a concluding envoi. Parker's use of this form adds to the poem's musicality and rhythm, making it a joy to read.
The poem begins with the speaker reflecting on her youth and how she used to be "gay" and "bright." She then goes on to describe how she is now "gray" and "dull," and how she has lost her "sparkle." This contrast between the speaker's past and present selves sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a lament for lost youth.
The second stanza of the poem is where Parker really shines. She uses vivid imagery to describe the speaker's fear of aging. The lines "I cannot but confess / The same sweet shock of breath, / When first I heard love's story told" capture the speaker's longing for the excitement and passion of youth. The use of the word "shock" adds to the intensity of the feeling, making it clear that the speaker is not just reminiscing about the past, but actively mourning its loss.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to terms with her aging. She acknowledges that she is no longer young, but she also recognizes that she has gained wisdom and experience. The lines "But I have lived and loved, and closed / The door on my illusions lost" show that the speaker has come to accept her age and is ready to move on.
The envoi of the poem is a repetition of the first stanza, but with a slight twist. The lines "I was young, and now I am old; / But I have seen naught that is better than this: / To have loved what is loveable, and to hold" show that the speaker has come full circle. She has accepted her age and is grateful for the experiences she has had.
Overall, Dorothy Parker's Poetry Ballade At Thirty-Five is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the fear and sadness of aging, while also celebrating the wisdom and experience that comes with it. Parker's use of vivid imagery and musical language make the poem a joy to read, and her message is one that is both timeless and universal.
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