'Liebestod' by Dorothy Parker
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When I was bold, when I was bold-
And that's a hundred years!-
Oh, never I thought my breast could hold
The terrible weight of tears.
I said: "Now some be dolorous;
I hear them wail and sigh,
And if it be Love that play them thus,
Then never a love will I."
I said: "I see them rack and rue,
I see them wring and ache,
And little I'll crack my heart in two
With little the heart can break."
When I was gay, when I was gay-
It's ninety years and nine!-
Oh, never I thought that Death could lay
His terrible hand in mine.
I said: "He plies his trade among
The musty and infirm;
A body so hard and bright and young
Could never be meat for worm."
"I see him dull their eyes," I said,
"And still their rattling breath.
And how under God could I be dead
That never was meant for Death?"
But Love came by, to quench my sleep,
And here's my sundered heart;
And bitter's my woe, and black, and deep,
And little I guessed a part.
Yet this there is to cool my breast,
And this to ease my spell;
Now if I were Love's, like all the rest,
Then can I be Death's, as well.
And he shall have me, sworn and bound,
And I'll be done with Love.
And better I'll be below the ground
Than ever I'll be above.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Liebestod by Dorothy Parker: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
When it comes to Dorothy Parker, most of us think of her sharp wit, humor, and social commentary. But Parker's poetry is often overlooked, and her poem "Liebestod" is a prime example of her poetic prowess. In this 16-line poem, Parker explores themes of love, loss, and the cyclical nature of life and death. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze Parker's use of language, structure, and imagery to uncover the deeper meanings behind this simple yet powerful poem.
The Power of Language
From the very first line, Parker sets the tone for the poem with her use of language. "Gently I stir a white feather fan," she writes. The word "gently" suggests a softness and delicacy, while the "white feather fan" conjures up images of elegance and beauty. These seemingly simple words create a sense of calm and serenity that is quickly shattered by the next line: "With open shirt, then, do I wander."
This sudden shift in tone is achieved through Parker's use of contrast. The image of a man walking around with his shirt open is quite different from the image of someone gently stirring a feather fan. This contrast draws the reader's attention and creates a sense of unease. It also foreshadows the inevitable loss that is to come.
Parker's use of language also creates a sense of circularity. The repetition of the word "again" in the third and fourth lines reinforces the idea that this cycle of love and loss is something that happens repeatedly. "And nodding by the fire, take down this book, / And slowly read, and dream of the soft look / Your eyes had once, and of their shadows deep" - these lines suggest that the speaker is looking back on a lost love, reliving the memories over and over again.
The Importance of Imagery
Parker's use of imagery is another powerful tool in this poem. The image of the white feather fan is repeated throughout the poem, serving as a symbol of love and loss. In the first two lines, the fan is being gently stirred, suggesting a sense of tenderness and affection. But later in the poem, the fan takes on a different meaning. "The fan is silver, / Lavishly spread," Parker writes. This image suggests opulence and extravagance, reinforcing the idea that love can be both beautiful and destructive.
The image of fire is also used throughout the poem, serving as a symbol of both passion and destruction. "Nodding by the fire" suggests a sense of comfort and warmth, but later in the poem, the fire takes on a more ominous tone. "The firefly's flame / Is something else again" - these lines suggest that love can be as fleeting and fragile as a firefly's flame, easily extinguished.
The Structure of the Poem
At first glance, "Liebestod" appears to be a simple poem, with only four stanzas and sixteen lines. But Parker's use of structure is actually quite complex. The first two stanzas are written in the present tense, while the last two stanzas shift to the past tense. This shift in tense serves to reinforce the idea that the speaker is looking back on a lost love.
Parker also uses enjambment to create a sense of urgency in the poem. The first and second lines of the poem are a single sentence, broken only by a comma. This creates a sense of momentum that carries the reader forward into the rest of the poem. The use of enjambment also serves to blur the lines between the different images and ideas in the poem, reinforcing the cyclical nature of love and loss.
Final Thoughts
In "Liebestod," Dorothy Parker uses language, imagery, and structure to create a powerful meditation on love and loss. The poem is deceptively simple, yet it contains layers of meaning that reveal themselves on closer inspection. Parker's use of contrast, repetition, and symbolism create a sense of tension and unease that mirrors the cyclical nature of love and loss. This is a poem that rewards multiple readings, and one that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Liebestod: A Poem of Love and Death
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and sharp observations on life and love. Her poem "Liebestod" is a haunting and beautiful exploration of the themes of love, death, and the human condition. In this analysis, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this classic poem.
The title of the poem, "Liebestod," is a German word that translates to "love-death." It is a term used in opera to describe a scene in which the protagonist dies in the arms of their lover. This concept of love and death intertwined is a recurring theme in literature and art, and Parker's poem is a powerful example of its expression.
The poem begins with the lines, "Love is like a cigarette, / Smoke it to the butt." This metaphorical comparison of love to a cigarette is a striking one. Just as a cigarette is consumed until it is nothing but ash, love can be all-consuming and ultimately lead to its own destruction. The image of smoke rising and dissipating also suggests the fleeting nature of love and its impermanence.
The next stanza continues the metaphor, "Love is like a leatherette, / Torn and ripped and cut." Leatherette is a synthetic material that imitates leather, but is not as durable or long-lasting. This comparison suggests that love, like leatherette, may appear to be strong and enduring, but is ultimately fragile and prone to damage.
The third stanza shifts the focus to the speaker's personal experience of love and loss. "Love is like a beggar's plea, / Only for a crust," she writes. This line suggests that love can be a desperate and pitiful thing, like a beggar begging for scraps. The use of the word "crust" also implies that love may not always be fulfilling or satisfying, but rather a meager and unsatisfactory substitute for something greater.
The final stanza of the poem is the most powerful and poignant. "Love is like a lovely lad, / Shot with a bow and arrow," Parker writes. This image of a beautiful young man struck down by an arrow is a classic symbol of love and death. The use of the word "lovely" emphasizes the beauty and innocence of the young man, and his sudden death suggests the tragic and unexpected nature of love's demise.
The final line of the poem, "Dead is dead, and gone is gone," is a stark and final statement. It suggests that once love is gone, it is gone forever, and there is no going back. The repetition of the word "gone" emphasizes this finality and the sense of loss that accompanies it.
Overall, "Liebestod" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex and often painful nature of love. Through its use of metaphor and imagery, it captures the fleeting and fragile nature of love, as well as its potential for tragedy and loss. Parker's skillful use of language and her ability to convey deep emotions in just a few lines make this poem a classic of modern poetry.
In conclusion, "Liebestod" is a poem that speaks to the universal human experience of love and loss. Its themes of love, death, and the impermanence of life are timeless and resonate with readers today as much as they did when the poem was first published. Dorothy Parker's legacy as a writer and poet continues to inspire and captivate readers, and "Liebestod" is a shining example of her talent and insight.
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