'Post-Graduate' by Dorothy Parker
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Hope it was that tutored me,
And Love that taught me more;
And now I learn at Sorrow's knee
The self-same lore.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Introduction
Oh my goodness, Dorothy Parker's Post-Graduate is such an amazing poem. I mean, seriously, it's a work of genius. The way she describes the post-graduate condition is just so spot-on. I'm so excited to dive deep into this poem and analyze its various elements.
First published in The New Yorker in 1922, Post-Graduate is one of Parker's most famous poems. It's a witty and satirical take on the life of a post-graduate student, and it's as relevant today as it was almost a century ago.
Analysis
The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which represents a different phase in the life of a post-graduate student. In the first stanza, Parker describes the initial euphoria of completing one's studies and entering the "real world". The post-graduate is full of confidence and ambition, ready to take on the world.
"Oh, I'm sick of the teeth and the eyes And the faces that grin and grimace, Sick of the gold and the silk And the lace and the diamond lace."
Here, Parker uses vivid imagery to convey the post-graduate's disillusionment with the trappings of wealth and success. The teeth, eyes, faces, gold, silk, lace, and diamond lace all represent the superficiality and shallowness of society. The post-graduate is no longer impressed by such things; they want something more meaningful.
"I'll to the books, and the big, Musty books that moldily brood On the shelves of the libraries"
In contrast to the superficial world of wealth and luxury, the post-graduate finds solace in the world of books. The "big, musty books" represent knowledge and wisdom, and the libraries represent a sanctuary where the post-graduate can escape from the shallow world around them.
In the second stanza, Parker describes the post-graduate's struggle to find a job in their field of study. Despite their qualifications and experience, the post-graduate finds that the job market is tough, and they are often overlooked in favor of more experienced candidates.
"I've written theses and theses, and yet I am not even a tutor's pet."
Here, Parker uses a playful rhyme to emphasize the post-graduate's frustration and disappointment. They have worked hard and achieved much, but it seems like no one recognizes their potential. This is a common struggle for many post-graduates, who often find themselves under-employed or working in jobs that have nothing to do with their field of study.
"I've even been to interviews where They don't even ask for my name."
Again, Parker uses her wit to highlight the absurdity of the job market. The post-graduate is reduced to a nameless, faceless entity, just another candidate in a sea of applicants.
In the final stanza, Parker describes the post-graduate's eventual acceptance of their situation. They come to the realization that they may never find their dream job, but they can still find satisfaction in their work and their life.
"But I'll work, and I'll talk, and I'll laugh With the men that haven't been to college."
Here, Parker emphasizes the importance of human connection and the value of hard work. The post-graduate may not have the prestigious job they always dreamed of, but they can still find happiness and fulfillment in their relationships and their daily work.
"And I'll eat and I'll sleep, and I'll drink And spit, and I'll work like hell."
In the end, the post-graduate learns to appreciate the simple pleasures of life and the satisfaction that comes from hard work. They no longer need the validation of a fancy job title or a prestigious career; they can find happiness and contentment in their own way.
Interpretation
Post-Graduate is a powerful commentary on the struggles and realities of post-graduate life. Parker captures the frustration, disillusionment, and eventual acceptance that many post-graduates experience. She highlights the absurdity of the job market and the superficiality of society, while also emphasizing the value of hard work and human connection.
But Post-Graduate is not just a critique of society; it is also a celebration of the human spirit. Parker shows us that even in the face of disappointment and rejection, we can still find joy and meaning in our lives. We can find solace in the world of books, friendship in our relationships, and satisfaction in our work.
Overall, Post-Graduate is a timeless poem that speaks to the struggles and triumphs of the human experience. It is a masterpiece of wit, satire, and insight, and it deserves a place in the canon of great literary works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Post-Graduate: A Poem of Witty Irony and Sardonic Humor
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American writer, poet, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and cynical humor. Her works often reflect her disillusionment with love, society, and human nature, and her poem "Post-Graduate" is no exception. Published in 1922, the poem is a scathing commentary on the futility of higher education and the emptiness of academic achievement.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a recent graduate, congratulating them on their academic success and asking them what they plan to do next. The speaker then proceeds to mock the graduate's aspirations, suggesting that their degree is worthless and that they will never achieve anything of real significance. The poem is structured as a series of rhetorical questions and sarcastic remarks, with each stanza building on the previous one to create a sense of mounting irony and cynicism.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with the speaker asking the graduate, "What does the world care for your days, / Your work, or your play, or your little ways?" The question is rhetorical, of course, as the speaker already knows the answer: the world doesn't care. The implication is that the graduate's academic achievements are meaningless in the grand scheme of things, and that they will soon be forgotten by the world at large.
The second stanza continues in this vein, with the speaker asking the graduate, "What does it matter, after all, / What you feel, or what you recall?" The question is again rhetorical, as the speaker already knows the answer: it doesn't matter. The implication is that the graduate's personal experiences and memories are insignificant, and that they will soon fade away into obscurity.
The third stanza takes a more personal turn, with the speaker addressing the graduate directly and asking them, "What does it matter, this love of yours, / Or the work you did between the showers?" The question is again rhetorical, as the speaker already knows the answer: it doesn't matter. The implication is that the graduate's romantic relationships and creative endeavors are trivial and unimportant, and that they will never amount to anything of real significance.
The fourth stanza brings the poem to a climax, with the speaker delivering the final blow to the graduate's aspirations: "What does it matter, your faith or doubt, / Your joys and your sorrows, your fears and your hope?" The question is again rhetorical, as the speaker already knows the answer: it doesn't matter. The implication is that the graduate's beliefs and emotions are irrelevant, and that they will never have any real impact on the world.
The final stanza brings the poem to a close, with the speaker delivering a final, sardonic remark: "What does it matter? - It matters not / That you go, that you stay, that you die, that you rot." The statement is a nihilistic one, suggesting that nothing really matters in the end, and that all human endeavors are ultimately futile.
Overall, "Post-Graduate" is a poem of witty irony and sardonic humor, reflecting Dorothy Parker's disillusionment with the world and her belief in the ultimate insignificance of human achievement. The poem is a scathing commentary on the futility of higher education and the emptiness of academic achievement, suggesting that no matter how much we learn or achieve, it will ultimately amount to nothing. While the poem may be bleak and nihilistic, it is also a testament to Parker's sharp wit and biting sarcasm, and a reminder that even in the face of despair, humor can be a powerful tool for coping with the absurdity of life.
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