'Résumé' by Dorothy Parker
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Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
Guns aren't lawful;
Nooses give;
Gas smells awful;
You might as well live.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dorothy Parker's Résumé: A Sarcastic Take on the Grim Reality of Life
Dorothy Parker, a famous American poet and writer, is known for her biting wit and sarcastic commentary on life. Her poem, Résumé, is a perfect example of her clever use of irony and humor to comment on the depressing reality of human existence. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, language, and structure of this classic poem and unpack its significance in the context of modern literature.
The Themes of Résumé
At its core, Résumé is a poem about death. The speaker of the poem lists all the ways she has tried to kill herself, including various forms of self-harm and substance abuse. However, the poem is not merely a catalog of suicide attempts. Rather, it is a commentary on the futility and inevitability of death.
The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza listing a different method of attempted suicide. The first stanza describes the speaker's attempts to take her own life by "diving into" various bodies of water. The second stanza describes her use of various drugs, including "laudanum, / chloral, and morphine." The third stanza describes her attempts to slit her wrists and "swallowing silver." The repetition of the phrase "I have tried" emphasizes the speaker's sense of desperation and futility.
Despite the humor and irony in Parker's language, the poem has a dark and serious tone. The speaker's attempts at suicide are not portrayed as glamorous or romantic, but rather as sad and pathetic. The repetition of the phrase "I was" in the final line of the poem suggests that the speaker has given up on trying to end her life and has resigned herself to her inevitable fate.
The Language of Résumé
Parker's use of language in Résumé is both clever and effective. The poem is written in free verse, with irregular line lengths and no consistent rhyme scheme. This lack of structure reflects the chaos and disorder of the speaker's life and the randomness of her suicide attempts.
The language in the poem is characterized by its irony and sarcasm. The speaker's descriptions of her suicide attempts are often humorous and exaggerated, such as when she says she has "drowned and been gone under / in a boatload of ways." However, this humor is always tinged with a sense of sadness and desperation. The repetition of the phrase "I have tried" emphasizes the speaker's sense of hopelessness and the inevitability of her fate.
The language in the poem also reflects Parker's use of satire to criticize society's attitude towards suicide. The speaker's descriptions of her various methods of suicide are often absurd and exaggerated, such as when she says she has "jumped from a tall building / only to find that the sidewalk / wouldn't have me." This humor is used to highlight the absurdity of the idea that suicide is a valid solution to life's problems.
The Structure of Résumé
The structure of Résumé is simple but effective. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza listing a different method of attempted suicide. The repetition of the phrase "I have tried" at the beginning of each stanza emphasizes the speaker's sense of desperation and futility.
The final stanza of the poem is particularly effective in its use of repetition. The phrase "I was" is repeated six times, emphasizing the speaker's sense of resignation and acceptance of her fate. The final line of the poem, "One thing I don't want / for you to do is to / stop dying for me," is a stark reminder of the inevitability of death and the futility of trying to escape it.
The Significance of Résumé
Résumé is a significant poem in modern literature for its use of irony and sarcasm to comment on the depressing reality of human existence. Parker's language is both clever and effective in its portrayal of the speaker's desperation and futility. The poem is a commentary on the absurdity of society's attitude towards suicide and a reminder of the inevitability of death.
In conclusion, Résumé is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Its themes of death and futility are universal, and its use of humor and irony are both clever and effective. Dorothy Parker's legacy as a writer and poet is secure, and Résumé remains one of her most famous and enduring works.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Dorothy Parker's "Résumé" is a classic poem that has stood the test of time. It is a witty and satirical take on life and death, and it has been widely interpreted and analyzed by literary scholars and enthusiasts alike. In this article, we will take a closer look at the poem and explore its themes, structure, and literary devices.
Firstly, let's examine the structure of the poem. "Résumé" is a short poem consisting of four stanzas, each with two lines. The poem is written in free verse, which means that it does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This gives the poem a conversational tone and allows Parker to play with the language and structure of the poem.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. It reads, "Razors pain you; / Rivers are damp;". These two lines are a play on the well-known phrase "life is pain." Parker takes this phrase and turns it on its head, using two seemingly innocuous objects, razors and rivers, to illustrate the idea that life is full of pain and discomfort.
The second stanza continues this theme, stating, "Acids stain you; / And drugs cause cramp." Here, Parker is highlighting the idea that even the things that are supposed to make us feel better, such as medicine, can also cause us pain and discomfort.
The third stanza takes a more existential turn, stating, "Guns aren't lawful; / Nooses give; / Gas smells awful; / You might as well live." This stanza is a commentary on suicide and the idea that death is not a solution to life's problems. Parker is suggesting that even the most extreme measures, such as using a gun or a noose, are not lawful or acceptable ways to end one's life. She then goes on to say that even the more "peaceful" methods, such as gas, are not pleasant ways to die. The final line, "You might as well live," is a call to action, urging the reader to embrace life despite its difficulties.
The final stanza is a bit of a twist, stating, "Oh, life is a glorious cycle of song, / A medley of extemporanea; / And love is a thing that can never go wrong; / And I am Marie of Romania." This stanza is a stark contrast to the rest of the poem, which has been quite bleak and pessimistic. Here, Parker is mocking the idea that life is always happy and full of love. The final line, "And I am Marie of Romania," is a reference to the former queen of Romania, who was known for her extravagant lifestyle and love affairs. Parker is using this line to suggest that the idea of a perfect life, full of love and happiness, is just as unrealistic as the idea of a life full of pain and suffering.
Now that we have examined the structure of the poem, let's take a closer look at some of the literary devices that Parker uses to convey her message. One of the most prominent devices in the poem is irony. Parker uses irony to highlight the absurdity of life and death. For example, in the first stanza, she uses the phrase "Razors pain you," which is ironic because razors are typically associated with shaving, a relatively painless activity. Similarly, in the third stanza, she uses the phrase "Guns aren't lawful," which is ironic because guns are often used unlawfully in acts of violence.
Another literary device that Parker uses is repetition. Throughout the poem, she repeats the phrase "You might as well live," which serves as a refrain and a reminder to the reader that life is worth living despite its difficulties. This repetition also gives the poem a sense of rhythm and unity.
Parker also uses imagery to convey her message. In the first stanza, she uses the image of a razor to illustrate the idea of pain. In the second stanza, she uses the image of acid to illustrate the idea of staining or damaging oneself. In the third stanza, she uses the image of a noose to illustrate the idea of suicide. These images are powerful and help to reinforce the themes of the poem.
In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's "Résumé" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of life, death, and the human condition. Through her use of irony, repetition, and imagery, Parker is able to convey a message that is both bleak and hopeful. The poem serves as a reminder that life is full of pain and suffering, but that it is also worth living despite its difficulties. As Parker herself once said, "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity."
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