'Chant For Dark Hours' by Dorothy Parker
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Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Book shop.
(Lady, make your mind up, and wait your life away.)
Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Crap game.
(He said he'd come at moonrise, and here's another day!)
Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Bar-room.
(Wait about, and hang about, and that's the way it goes.)
Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Woman.
(Heaven never send me another one of those!)
Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Golf course.
(Read a book, and sew a seam, and slumber if you can.)
Some men, some men
Cannot pass a
Haberdasher's.
(All your life you wait around for some damn man!)
Editor 1 Interpretation
Chant For Dark Hours: A Masterpiece of Despair and Irony
Dorothy Parker was one of the most iconic writers of the 20th century, renowned for her wit, her sharp tongue, and her profound insights into the human condition. Her poetry, in particular, showcases her mastery of language, her deep empathy for the marginalized and the disenchanted, and her talent for crafting unforgettable images and turns of phrase. Among her most celebrated poems is "Chant For Dark Hours," a haunting and melancholic meditation on the futility of life and the inevitability of death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, structure, and language of "Chant For Dark Hours," and examine its enduring significance as a work of art.
Historical Context and Personal Experience
To fully understand "Chant For Dark Hours," it is useful to consider the historical context in which it was written, as well as Parker's personal experience. The poem was published in 1927, a time of great social and cultural upheaval in America. The Roaring Twenties were in full swing, and many people were enjoying newfound wealth, freedom, and hedonism. However, this era of prosperity and optimism was also marked by deep social inequality, political corruption, and moral decay. The stock market crash of 1929 would soon bring the party to a crashing halt, ushering in the Great Depression and a decade of widespread suffering and disillusionment.
Parker herself was a complex figure, a woman who defied the norms of her time and lived a life of both privilege and pain. Born in 1893, she grew up in New York City and attended a prestigious private school before becoming a writer and journalist. She was a frequent contributor to The New Yorker, Vanity Fair, and other publications, and was known for her wit, humor, and irreverence. She was also an alcoholic, suffered from depression and anxiety, and had multiple failed marriages and affairs. Despite her success as a writer, she often felt isolated and misunderstood, and struggled with suicidal thoughts throughout her life.
Themes and Symbols
"Chant For Dark Hours" is a poem that deals with themes of death, despair, and the fragility of human existence. The speaker of the poem is addressing an unnamed "you," who may be a lover, a friend, or a stand-in for the reader. The tone is somber and resigned, with a sense of fatalism and inevitability pervading the poem. The speaker paints a bleak picture of life, describing it as a "fretful fever," a "furious unrest," and a "hollow-hearted witness." She suggests that all human endeavors are ultimately futile and meaningless, and that death is the only certainty in life:
Life, that all men hold dear, Is nothing but a smear Of blood upon a field of snow, A tattered coat upon a stick, Unless it be the transitory Rainbow that lifts its face Only to vanish quite, As if it had not been.
This passage is a powerful example of Parker's skill with language and image-making. The contrast between the "smear" of blood and the "field of snow" creates a vivid and jarring image, while the metaphor of the "tattered coat upon a stick" suggests the ephemerality and emptiness of human existence. The reference to the "transitory / Rainbow" is also significant, as it echoes the biblical story of the flood and the promise of God not to destroy the world again with water. In this context, the rainbow symbolizes both hope and impermanence, a fleeting glimpse of beauty in a world of chaos.
Another important symbol in the poem is that of the "dark hours." These are times of pain, loss, and despair, when the speaker feels most acutely the weight of her mortality and the emptiness of her life. The repetition of the phrase "in the dark hours" throughout the poem creates a sense of rhythm and intensity, while also emphasizing the universality of the speaker's experience. We all have our dark hours, Parker seems to be saying, and they are the moments when we are most ourselves, most aware of our own mortality and vulnerability.
Structure and Language
"Chant For Dark Hours" is a poem that is notable for its structure and language. The poem consists of five stanzas, each of which has a similar structure and rhythm. The first three lines of each stanza are written in iambic pentameter, with a strong stress followed by a weak stress, and a total of ten syllables. The fourth and fifth lines of each stanza, however, break this pattern, with shorter lines and a more irregular rhythm. This creates a sense of tension and dissonance, as the poem moves back and forth between order and chaos, stability and instability.
The language of the poem is also notable for its use of repetition, alliteration, and rhyme. The repeated phrase "in the dark hours" creates a sense of unity and coherence, while also emphasizing the central theme of the poem. The alliteration in lines like "fretful fever" and "hollow-hearted witness" creates a musical and rhythmic effect, while also enhancing the emotional impact of the words. The poem also features several rhymes, both end-rhymes (such as "snow" and "know" in the first stanza) and internal rhymes (such as "fretful fever" and "furious unrest" in the second stanza). These rhymes create a sense of cohesion and symmetry, while also adding to the musicality of the poem.
Interpretation and Significance
"Chant For Dark Hours" is a poem that can be interpreted in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective and experience. Some readers may see it as a bleak and nihilistic meditation on the futility of life, while others may find in it a sense of comfort and solidarity in the face of suffering. For Parker herself, the poem may have been a way of expressing her own sense of despair and hopelessness, as well as her awareness of the fragility and transience of human existence.
Whatever one's interpretation, however, there is no denying the significance and power of "Chant For Dark Hours" as a work of art. The poem is a masterful example of Parker's talent for language and image-making, as well as her ability to convey complex emotional states with subtlety and nuance. It is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of pain, loss, and mortality, and that offers a glimpse of beauty and transcendence even in the darkest of times. As such, it is a poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and that stands as a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move, inspire, and console us in our darkest hours.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Chant For Dark Hours: A Poem of Despair and Hope
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on the human condition. Her poetry often explores themes of love, loss, loneliness, and despair, with a touch of cynicism and irony. One of her most famous poems, "Chant For Dark Hours," is a haunting meditation on the pain of existence and the search for meaning in a world of suffering.
The poem begins with a stark declaration of despair: "Some day, when I am not alive, / When things are sad and drear, / Your heart will feel a pang of pain, / And shed a bitter tear." The speaker imagines her own death and the inevitable grief that will follow, but she also suggests that this pain is universal and timeless. The "dark hours" of the title refer not only to the literal darkness of night but also to the emotional darkness that can envelop us all at some point in our lives.
The second stanza continues this theme of universal suffering: "You'll think of me when shadows fall, / When night is drawing near, / And in your heart a voice will call, / And whisper, 'I am here.'" Here, the speaker suggests that even in death, she will be present in the memories and emotions of those she leaves behind. The image of shadows and nightfall reinforces the idea of darkness and uncertainty, but the voice that calls out offers a glimmer of hope and comfort.
The third stanza shifts from the personal to the philosophical, as the speaker reflects on the nature of existence: "And though you sit in a room that's plain, / And chat with folk who are dear, / You'll hear a sighing like a rain, / And know that I am near." The mundane details of everyday life are contrasted with the deeper, more profound questions of existence. The sighing rain suggests a sense of melancholy and longing, but also a connection to the natural world and the cycles of life and death.
The fourth stanza returns to the theme of grief and loss, but with a more hopeful tone: "And when the night is black and still, / And sleep seems long and drear, / It's then you'll feel my spirit thrill, / And know that I am near." The darkness of night is once again a metaphor for the darkness of the soul, but the idea of a "spirit thrill" suggests a sense of transcendence and spiritual connection. The speaker seems to be offering comfort and reassurance to those who are struggling with their own pain and despair.
The final stanza brings the poem full circle, with a repetition of the opening lines: "Some day, when I am not alive, / When things are sad and drear, / Your heart will feel a pang of pain, / And shed a bitter tear." But this time, there is a subtle shift in tone, as the speaker adds a note of hope and resilience: "But do not let your head bow low, / Or your eyes be wet with tears, / For I am still with you, you know, / Through all the coming years." The repetition of the opening lines reinforces the idea of cyclical time and the inevitability of suffering, but the final lines offer a message of hope and endurance. The speaker suggests that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone, and that the bonds of love and memory can transcend death and despair.
Overall, "Chant For Dark Hours" is a powerful and poignant poem that explores some of the deepest and most universal aspects of the human experience. Through its evocative imagery, haunting tone, and subtle shifts in perspective, the poem offers a meditation on the nature of grief, loss, and hope. It reminds us that even in the darkest of times, we are not alone, and that the bonds of love and memory can sustain us through all the coming years.
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