'My Own' by Dorothy Parker
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Then let them point my every tear,
And let them mock and moan;
Another week, another year,
And I'll be with my own
Who slumber now by night and day
In fields of level brown;
Whose hearts within their breasts were clay
Before they laid them down.
Editor 1 Interpretation
My Own: A Critical Interpretation
Dorothy Parker's "My Own" is a powerful and evocative poem that explores the complex emotions associated with self-discovery and self-acceptance. Written in 1925, at a time when the world was undergoing significant social and cultural changes, the poem reflects the struggles and aspirations of a generation of women who were searching for their own identity and place in society. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deeper into the themes, imagery, and language of the poem to explore its meaning and relevance today.
Themes
At its core, "My Own" is a poem about the search for identity and the desire for self-discovery. It explores the tension between the desire to be accepted by society and the need to be true to oneself. The poem captures the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies this search, as well as the fear and uncertainty that come with stepping outside of societal norms.
The poem also touches on themes of gender and power, highlighting the ways in which gender roles and expectations can limit and constrain individuals. Through the use of imagery and metaphor, Parker conveys the idea that women are often relegated to the margins of society and are forced to navigate a world that is hostile to their desires and aspirations.
Finally, the poem explores the idea of freedom and liberation. Parker suggests that true freedom comes not from conforming to societal expectations, but from embracing one's own unique identity and accepting oneself fully.
Imagery
One of the most striking aspects of "My Own" is the use of vivid and evocative imagery. The poem is filled with powerful metaphors and symbols that convey the complex emotions and themes at the heart of the poem.
For example, in the opening stanza, Parker compares herself to a bird that is trapped in a cage:
"The night was coming and the bird looked queer. It puzzled all of Brighton and baffled all the peer. What made it look so queer?"
This imagery conveys the sense of confinement and restriction that Parker feels as she struggles to find her place in society. The bird, like Parker, is trapped and unable to fully express itself. The "queerness" of the bird suggests that it is seen as abnormal or outside of the norm, highlighting the ways in which society can stigmatize those who do not conform to its expectations.
Similarly, later in the poem, Parker compares herself to a ship that is lost at sea:
"I am a ship at sea, a sailor on her decks, And no one knows how lonely and frightened are her flecks."
This imagery conveys the sense of isolation and uncertainty that Parker feels as she searches for her own identity. The ship, like Parker, is adrift and alone, with no clear direction or destination. The use of the word "flecks" suggests that Parker's sense of self is fragmented and incomplete, further emphasizing the idea that she is still searching for her own identity.
Language
Another notable aspect of "My Own" is the use of language. Parker's writing is filled with rich and evocative language that conveys the complex emotions and ideas at the heart of the poem.
For example, in the second stanza, Parker writes:
"I am the one who loved and hated; I am the one who watched and waited;"
The repetition of "I am the one" emphasizes the idea that Parker is speaking for herself and asserting her own identity. The verbs "loved," "hated," "watched," and "waited" suggest the range and complexity of Parker's emotions, and the use of the semi-colon creates a sense of momentum and urgency.
Similarly, in the final stanza, Parker writes:
"I am my love's own and I am yours, and what is love but longing, and what is longing but loss?"
This passage highlights the ambiguity and complexity of love and the sense of loss that often accompanies it. The use of the words "longing" and "loss" suggests that love is not always a source of happiness or fulfillment, but can also be a source of pain and sorrow.
Interpretation
Ultimately, "My Own" is a poem about the search for identity and the desire for self-acceptance. Parker captures the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies this search, as well as the fear and uncertainty that come with stepping outside of societal norms.
At the same time, the poem suggests that true freedom comes from embracing one's own unique identity and accepting oneself fully. Parker's use of vivid and evocative imagery and rich and evocative language helps to convey the complexity and nuance of these themes, and the poem remains relevant today as a powerful exploration of the human experience.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
My Own: A Poem by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker was a prolific writer, known for her wit and humor. She was also a poet, and one of her most famous poems is "My Own." This poem is a powerful exploration of identity and self-acceptance, and it has resonated with readers for decades.
The Poem
Here is the full text of "My Own":
My own shall come to me, dear,
Not yours, not yours.
I have dreamed it many a time,
Fair and dim, and tall and slim,
Mine, mine alone,
Mine to keep for all time.
Yours is the love that I would have,
Yours are the eyes I would call mine,
But the dream is mine, dear,
Mine alone.
Mine to keep for all time.
My own shall come to me, dear,
Mine alone.
Mine to keep for all time.
Analysis
At first glance, "My Own" seems like a simple love poem. The speaker is expressing her desire for a particular person, and she is confident that this person will come to her. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we see that there is much more going on.
The first line of the poem sets the tone: "My own shall come to me, dear, / Not yours, not yours." This line establishes that the speaker is looking for something that is uniquely hers. She is not interested in what anyone else has to offer; she is waiting for her own.
The next few lines describe the speaker's dream of her perfect partner. This person is "fair and dim, and tall and slim," and the speaker is confident that this dream will become a reality. However, the most important line in this section is "Mine, mine alone." This line emphasizes the speaker's desire for something that is exclusively hers. She does not want to share this dream with anyone else.
The next stanza shifts the focus to the person the speaker is addressing. The speaker acknowledges that this person has qualities that she desires, such as love and eyes that she would like to call her own. However, the dream is still hers alone. This stanza reinforces the idea that the speaker is looking for something that is uniquely hers, even if it means sacrificing some of the qualities she desires in a partner.
The final stanza repeats the first line, "My own shall come to me, dear," but this time it is more emphatic. The speaker is confident that her dream will become a reality, and she is determined to keep it for all time.
Themes
One of the most prominent themes in "My Own" is the search for identity. The speaker is looking for something that is uniquely hers, something that will define her as an individual. She is not interested in conforming to societal expectations or settling for someone who does not meet her standards. Instead, she is waiting for her own, something that will set her apart from everyone else.
Another theme in the poem is self-acceptance. The speaker is confident in her dream and is willing to wait for it to become a reality. She is not willing to compromise or settle for something that does not meet her standards. This confidence and self-assurance are admirable qualities, and they are essential for anyone who wants to live a fulfilling life.
Conclusion
"My Own" is a powerful poem that explores themes of identity and self-acceptance. The speaker is looking for something that is uniquely hers, and she is confident that she will find it. This poem is a reminder that we should all strive to find our own, something that sets us apart from everyone else and defines us as individuals. It is a call to be true to ourselves and to never settle for anything less than what we truly desire.
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