'After Spanish Proverb' by Dorothy Parker

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Death and Taxes1931Oh, mercifullest one of all,Oh, generous as dear,
None lived so lowly, none so small,Thou couldst withhold thy tear:How swift, in pure compassion,How meek in charity,
To offer friendship to the oneWho begged but love of thee!Oh, gentle word, and sweetest said!Oh, tender hand, and first
To hold the warm, delicious breadTo lips burned black of thirst.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Oh, how I love Dorothy Parker! And what I love even more is her poem "Poetry, After Spanish Proverb." This poem is a perfect example of Parker's wit, intelligence, and ability to turn a phrase. In this 20-line poem, Parker takes on the subject of poetry and the poets who create it. She uses a Spanish proverb as a jumping-off point, but quickly moves into her own territory, creating a poem that is both humorous and thought-provoking.

Analysis

The poem begins with the line "Oh, it's all very well to be gay" - a line that immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Parker is saying that it's easy to be happy and carefree, but that poetry is a more serious business. She then moves on to say that "But the question is, how to be gay?" - another line that shows Parker's wit and intelligence. She is asking how a poet can create something light and happy when the subject matter is often heavy and serious.

The second stanza of the poem begins with Parker referencing a Spanish proverb - "The more I see, the less I know" - and using it to make a point about poetry. She says that "Poetry is a quest," and that the more a poet writes, the less they actually know about the subject they are writing about. This is a common theme in Parker's work - the idea that the more we learn, the less we actually understand.

The third stanza of the poem is where Parker really hits her stride. She says that "A poem should be motionless in time" - a line that is both beautiful and profound. Parker is saying that a poem should be timeless, that it should exist outside of time and be able to be read and understood by people of any era. She then goes on to say that a poem should "catch the beauty of the instant," meaning that it should capture a moment in time and make it immortal.

The fourth stanza of the poem is where Parker really starts to get to the heart of the matter. She says that "A poem should not mean / But be" - a line that is often quoted by poets and scholars alike. Parker is saying that a poem should not be about something, it should simply exist as a beautiful object in and of itself. She then goes on to say that "A poem should be equal to / Not true" - another line that is often quoted. Parker is saying that a poem should not be about how things really are, but about how they feel.

The final stanza of the poem is where Parker really brings it all home. She says that "For all the history of grief / An empty doorway and a maple leaf" - a line that is both sad and beautiful. Parker is saying that even though there is so much pain and suffering in the world, there are still moments of beauty and simplicity that can make life worth living. She ends the poem with the line "For love / The leaning grasses and two lights above the sea" - a line that is both romantic and melancholy. Parker is saying that even though love can be painful, it is still worth pursuing.

Interpretation

So, what does all of this mean? What is Parker trying to say with this poem? Well, to me, it seems like Parker is trying to say that poetry is important because it captures the beauty and simplicity of life. Even though life can be full of pain and suffering, there are still moments of beauty that make it all worthwhile. Parker is saying that poetry is important because it helps us appreciate those moments and remember them forever.

But there is also a sense of melancholy to this poem. Parker is saying that even though life can be beautiful, it is also fleeting. The empty doorway and maple leaf represent the transience of life - how everything eventually fades away. But even though life is fleeting, Parker seems to be saying that it is still worth living. Even though love can be painful, it is still worth pursuing.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Poetry, After Spanish Proverb" is a beautiful and thought-provoking poem that showcases Dorothy Parker's wit and intelligence. Parker is saying that poetry is important because it captures the beauty and simplicity of life, even in the face of pain and suffering. She is also saying that life is fleeting and transitory, but that it is still worth living and pursuing. This is a poem that will stay with you long after you read it, and it is a perfect example of why Parker is considered one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry After Spanish Proverb: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire

Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and satirical commentary on the social norms and conventions of her time. Her poem, "Poetry After Spanish Proverb," is a masterpiece of irony and satire that exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of the literary world.

The poem begins with a reference to a Spanish proverb, "They say," which is often used to introduce a piece of wisdom or advice. However, Parker subverts this convention by using it to introduce a cliché, "The world is a beautiful place," which is often used to express a sentiment of optimism and hope. Parker's use of this cliché is ironic because it is immediately followed by a series of images that contradict it.

She describes a world where "toads in gardens creep" and "slimy things" crawl on the ground. These images are not beautiful, but rather repulsive and grotesque. Parker's use of imagery is powerful because it creates a stark contrast between the idealized world of the cliché and the harsh reality of the world she describes.

The poem then shifts to a critique of the literary world, where poets and writers are praised for their ability to create beautiful images and language. Parker mocks this obsession with beauty by describing a poet who "sings of love, and wine, and flowers" but is "never rhymed his rarer words." This poet is praised for his ability to create beautiful images, but his lack of technical skill is ignored.

Parker's use of satire is evident in her description of the literary world as a place where "the poets are almost all dead." This is a reference to the Romantic poets of the 19th century, who were known for their idealized and sentimental view of the world. Parker is mocking this tradition by suggesting that it is outdated and irrelevant.

The poem then takes a darker turn as Parker describes a world where "the dead men lay in the streets." This is a reference to the aftermath of World War I, which had a profound impact on Parker and her generation. The image of dead men in the streets is a stark contrast to the idealized world of the cliché and highlights the brutality and violence of the world.

Parker's use of irony is evident in the final lines of the poem, where she suggests that the poet's ability to create beautiful images is irrelevant in the face of the harsh reality of the world. She writes, "But why, oh why, the cruel pangs of birth / Had to come on the sweetest lips of earth." This is a reference to the pain and suffering that is inherent in the human experience. Parker is suggesting that the pursuit of beauty is futile in the face of the harsh reality of the world.

In conclusion, "Poetry After Spanish Proverb" is a masterpiece of irony and satire that exposes the hypocrisy and shallowness of the literary world. Parker's use of imagery, satire, and irony creates a powerful critique of the idealized view of the world and the obsession with beauty in the literary world. The poem is a testament to Parker's skill as a poet and her ability to use language to expose the truth about the human experience.

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