'Story of Mrs. W-' by Dorothy Parker
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My garden blossoms pink and white,
A place of decorous murmuring,
Where I am safe from August night
And cannot feel the knife of Spring.
And I may walk the pretty place
Before the curtsying hollyhocks
And laundered daisies, round of face-
Good little girls, in party frocks.
My trees are amiably arrayed
In pattern on the dappled sky,
And I may sit in filtered shade
And watch the tidy years go by.
And I may amble pleasantly
And hear my neighbors list their bones
And click my tongue in sympathy,
And count the cracks in paving-stones.
My door is grave in oaken strength,
The cool of linen calms my bed,
And there at night I stretch my length
And envy no one but the dead.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Story of Mrs. W-: A Deep Dive into Dorothy Parker's Masterpiece
Have you ever come across a poem that leaves you pondering over its words for days? A poem that makes you question the societal norms and beliefs? Well, look no further than Dorothy Parker's "Story of Mrs. W-". In this poem, Parker delves deep into the role of women in society and how they are often stifled and held back by the expectations placed upon them.
Background of Dorothy Parker
Before we get into the analysis of the poem, let's take a quick look into the background of the poet herself. Dorothy Parker was an American writer, poet, and critic who was known for her sharp wit and biting satire. Her work often tackled societal issues such as gender roles, social class, and political corruption. Parker was a member of the Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals who met regularly for lunch at the Algonquin Hotel in New York City. She was a prominent figure in the literary scene of the 1920s and 1930s and her work continues to be studied and admired to this day.
Analysis of "Story of Mrs. W-"
The poem "Story of Mrs. W-" is a narrative poem that tells the story of a woman, Mrs. W-, who lives a life of quiet desperation. The poem begins with the line, "Mrs. W- was a wife" which immediately sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the title "Mrs." instead of her first name dehumanizes her and reduces her to nothing more than a label. This is something that women have had to endure throughout history and is still prevalent in some parts of the world today.
The poem then goes on to describe Mrs. W-'s life as a wife. Parker writes, "She married a man / Who played the trombone" which is an interesting detail to include. It shows that Mrs. W- did not marry for love but rather for practical reasons such as financial security. The fact that her husband plays the trombone also suggests that he is not a highly respected or successful musician. This further reinforces the idea that Mrs. W- settled for a less than ideal life.
The next few lines describe Mrs. W-'s mundane daily routine. She wakes up early, takes care of the household chores, and waits for her husband to come home. Parker writes, "She patched and sewed / And cooked and baked" which highlights the domestic duties that are often expected of women. These duties can be time-consuming and exhausting, leaving little time for personal fulfillment or growth.
The turning point of the poem comes when Mrs. W- sees a woman walking down the street and envies her freedom. Parker writes, "Mrs. W- looked out / And saw a lovely sight" which suggests that Mrs. W- is trapped in her own life and longs for something more. The woman she sees is described as having "free and easy laughter" which is a stark contrast to Mrs. W-'s life of monotony and routine.
From this point on, the poem takes a darker turn as Mrs. W- begins to contemplate her own mortality. Parker writes, "She thought of death / And the loud sound it made" which shows that Mrs. W- is not afraid of death but rather the thought of dying without having truly lived. This is a common fear that many people have and is especially poignant for women who may feel that they have not had the same opportunities as men to explore their passions and dreams.
The poem concludes with the line, "Mrs. W- was a wife" which is a powerful statement in itself. It suggests that despite her desires and longings, Mrs. W- is ultimately defined by her role as a wife. This is a commentary on the societal expectations placed upon women and how difficult it can be to break free from them.
Interpretation of "Story of Mrs. W-"
The poem "Story of Mrs. W-" can be interpreted in a number of ways. On the surface, it is a commentary on the limited options available to women in a patriarchal society. Women were expected to marry and have children, and their identities were often defined by their roles as wives and mothers. This is something that Parker herself experienced, as she was married twice and suffered multiple miscarriages.
However, the poem can also be seen as a critique of the societal expectations placed upon men. Mrs. W-'s husband is described as a mediocre musician who does not provide much financial support for his family. This can be interpreted as a commentary on the pressure placed upon men to be the breadwinners and providers for their families. This pressure can be stifling and prevent men from pursuing their own passions and dreams.
The poem can also be read as a commentary on the human condition as a whole. We all have desires and longings that we may not be able to fulfill. We all face the inevitability of death and the fear of dying without having truly lived. This is something that transcends gender and is a universal experience.
Conclusion
"Story of Mrs. W-" is a powerful poem that delves deep into the societal expectations placed upon women and men. It is a commentary on the limitations placed upon individuals and the difficulty of breaking free from these expectations. The poem is beautifully written and thought-provoking, leaving the reader with much to ponder over. Dorothy Parker was a master of her craft, and "Story of Mrs. W-" is a true testament to her talent and insight.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Story of Mrs. W-: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker was a master of wit and satire, and her poem "The Story of Mrs. W-" is a perfect example of her talent. In just a few stanzas, Parker manages to create a vivid and hilarious portrait of a woman who is both ridiculous and sympathetic. The poem is a masterpiece of irony, as Parker uses the conventions of romantic poetry to subvert them and expose the absurdity of the social norms of her time.
The poem tells the story of Mrs. W-, a woman who is described as "fair and fat and forty" and who is desperately seeking a husband. The opening lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, as Parker uses a mock-heroic style to describe Mrs. W-'s quest:
Once upon a time, in a flat blue sea,
Not very far from Singapore,
There lived a lady, loved by me,
And the name she bore was Mrs. W-.
The use of "once upon a time" and the reference to a "flat blue sea" are typical of romantic poetry, but Parker immediately undercuts this with the reference to Singapore, which suggests a more exotic and less romantic setting. The fact that Mrs. W- is "loved by me" is also ironic, as it implies that the speaker is a romantic hero, when in fact he is simply observing Mrs. W-'s antics from a distance.
The poem then goes on to describe Mrs. W-'s attempts to find a husband, which are both comical and pathetic:
She was a widow, it was said,
Her husband was no more.
She wore a hat upon her head,
And a carpet on the floor.
The reference to Mrs. W-'s husband being "no more" is a classic example of Parker's dry wit, as it implies that he is not just dead, but also forgotten. The image of Mrs. W. wearing a hat and a carpet is also hilarious, as it suggests that she is trying too hard to impress potential suitors.
The poem then takes a darker turn, as Parker describes Mrs. W-'s desperation:
She sought a man of wealth and fame,
And many a man she met.
But none of them could play the game,
And none of them would get.
The reference to Mrs. W-'s search for a man of "wealth and fame" is a commentary on the social norms of Parker's time, which placed a high value on material success. The fact that Mrs. W- is unable to find such a man is both comical and sad, as it suggests that she is trapped in a society that values superficial qualities over genuine human connection.
The poem then ends with a final twist, as Parker reveals that Mrs. W- has finally found a husband:
But now she's found a man at last,
And she's a happy wife.
She's married to a wealthy cast,
And leads a perfect life.
The reference to Mrs. W-'s "perfect life" is again ironic, as it suggests that she has achieved the very thing that she was seeking, but at a cost. The fact that her husband is described as a "wealthy cast" implies that he is not a real person, but rather a symbol of the social norms that Mrs. W- has been trying to conform to.
In conclusion, "The Story of Mrs. W-" is a masterpiece of irony and satire, and a perfect example of Dorothy Parker's talent. Through her use of mock-heroic style and dry wit, Parker creates a vivid and hilarious portrait of a woman who is both ridiculous and sympathetic. The poem is a commentary on the social norms of Parker's time, which placed a high value on material success and superficial qualities, and a reminder that genuine human connection is more important than wealth or fame.
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