'August' by Dorothy Parker
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When my eyes are weeds,
And my lips are petals, spinning
Down the wind that has beginning
Where the crumpled beeches start
In a fringe of salty reeds;
When my arms are elder-bushes,
And the rangy lilac pushes
Upward, upward through my heart;
Summer, do your worst!
Light your tinsel moon, and call on
Your performing stars to fall on
Headlong through your paper sky;
Nevermore shall I be cursed
By a flushed and amorous slattern,
With her dusty laces' pattern
Trailing, as she straggles by.
Editor 1 Interpretation
August by Dorothy Parker: A Critical Interpretation
August, the poem by Dorothy Parker, is a classic piece of American literature that has been studied and analyzed widely over the years. The poem, which was first published in 1928, is a reflection on the end of summer and the onset of autumn, a time of change and transition. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation of August, we will analyze the poem in detail, examining its language, structure, themes, and symbolism.
Context
Before we dive into the poem itself, it’s worth taking a moment to consider the context in which it was written. Dorothy Parker was a prominent writer and critic in the early 20th century, known for her wit, humor, and sharp observations of society. She was a member of the famous Algonquin Round Table, a group of writers and intellectuals who met regularly in New York City to exchange ideas and banter.
At the time August was written, Parker was in her mid-30s and had already established herself as a successful writer. She had published several collections of poetry and short stories, as well as working as a theater critic for Vanity Fair and The New Yorker. However, she was also struggling with alcoholism, depression, and a difficult marriage. All of these factors may have influenced the tone and content of August.
Structure
August is a short poem, consisting of just six lines. It is written in free verse, with no rhyme scheme or regular meter. The lack of formal structure gives the poem a casual, conversational feel, as if the speaker is simply expressing a passing thought or feeling.
However, there is still a sense of rhythm and musicality in the language. The repetition of the word “and” in the second and third lines creates a sense of continuity and flow, while the repeated “a” sounds in lines four and five give the poem a soft, mellow quality. The final line, with its abrupt, single-word sentence, stands out as a bold and memorable conclusion.
Language
One of the most striking aspects of August is its vivid and evocative language. Parker uses a variety of sensory images to capture the mood and atmosphere of the end of summer.
The opening line, “The rain is plenteous in the wood,” sets a damp, melancholy tone. The word “plenteous” suggests an overwhelming abundance, while “wood” conjures up images of a dark, dense forest. The rain itself is described as “wet and dim,” emphasizing its dreary, oppressive nature.
In contrast, the second line paints a picture of bright, cheerful activity: “The puddles gladly greet the flood.” The word “gladly” suggests a sense of joy and enthusiasm, while “flood” implies a sudden, overwhelming surge of water. The image of “puddles” also has a childlike, playful quality.
The third line, “And there are creatures in the mud,” introduces a new element to the poem: the idea of life and growth amidst decay. The word “creatures” could refer to anything from insects to small animals, but it suggests a sense of activity and vitality. The mud itself is described as “warm and thin,” creating a sense of organic, earthy texture.
The final three lines of the poem shift back to a more somber, introspective tone. The phrase “A sound astir in every tree” suggests a sense of restlessness and unease, as if the natural world itself is preparing for a change. The repetition of the word “and” in line five creates a sense of accumulation and buildup, as if the speaker is struggling to find the right words to express their feelings.
The final line, “Now Autumn’s fire burns slowly along the woods,” is the most powerful and memorable in the poem. The word “fire” suggests both warmth and destruction, while “slowly” implies a gradual, inexorable process. The phrase “along the woods” creates a sense of movement and progression, as if the season itself is moving forward. The choice of the word “Autumn” rather than “fall” is also significant, as it emphasizes the season’s natural beauty and majesty.
Themes
August is a poem that touches on a variety of themes, including change, transition, decay, and renewal. At its core, the poem is a meditation on the passage of time and the inevitability of change.
The opening lines, with their emphasis on rain and mud, suggest a sense of decay and dissolution. However, the poem also contains images of growth and vitality, such as the creatures in the mud and the sound in the trees. This tension between decay and growth creates a sense of dynamic tension, as if the natural world is in a state of constant flux.
The final line of the poem, with its image of Autumn’s fire burning along the woods, suggests a sense of renewal and transformation. Although the end of summer can be a melancholy time, it also marks the beginning of a new season, with all its possibilities and opportunities.
Symbolism
August is a poem that is rich in symbolism, with each image and phrase carrying multiple layers of significance. One of the most important symbols in the poem is rain, which represents both renewal and melancholy. Rain is a natural force that can wash away dirt and debris, making way for new growth. However, it can also be a source of gloom and sadness, especially when it falls in large quantities.
Another important symbol in the poem is fire, which represents both warmth and destruction. Fire can be a source of comfort and light, but it can also be dangerous and unpredictable. The image of Autumn’s fire burning along the woods suggests a sense of transformation and transition, as one season gives way to another.
The creatures in the mud are also a symbol of life and growth amidst decay. Although mud is often associated with dirt and filth, it is also a fertile medium for plant and animal life. The creatures in the mud represent the resilience and adaptability of nature, as well as its endless capacity for renewal.
Conclusion
August, the poem by Dorothy Parker, is a complex and multi-layered work of literature that has stood the test of time. Through its vivid language, structure, and symbolism, the poem captures the mood and atmosphere of the end of summer, with all its melancholy, beauty, and potential. Whether read as a meditation on the passage of time or a celebration of the natural world, August remains a powerful and moving piece of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
August by Dorothy Parker: A Poem of Bittersweet Nostalgia
As the summer sun beats down on us, we can't help but feel a sense of nostalgia for the days gone by. The long, lazy days of August are a time for reflection, a time to look back on the memories we've made and the people we've loved. And no poem captures this feeling quite like Dorothy Parker's "August."
Written in Parker's signature style of biting wit and bittersweet nostalgia, "August" is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It's a poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of time, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of "August," let's take a look at the poem itself:
August by Dorothy Parker
When my eyes are weeds,
And my lips are petals, spinning
Down the wind that has beginning
Where the crumpled beeches start
In a fringe of salty reeds;
When my arms are elder-bushes,
And the rangy lilacs cluster
Of the moon-drawn seas of summer,
The tangled net of stars,
Flecked with flickering barley-hushes;
When the footpaths moan like alleys
Of their little, lovelorn treasons,
And the sultry breeze that season's
Ever turning track is stayed
As the weary heart reasons;
When the tongue is tangled with the
Shreds of speech worn thin and broken,
And the soul that is not token
Dumps the body that's akin
To a heap of clothes still smoking;
When my quickened heart is sinking
In the deeps of its own story,
And the world as it was before me
Is diminished to a few
Pulses in the being of the morning;
Then let come what come may,
As the tiny, one-celled creatures
Swarm and multiply in seas,
I will drift away with whither
The wind and water please.
At first glance, "August" may seem like a jumble of disconnected images and metaphors. But upon closer inspection, we can see that Parker has crafted a poem that is both deeply personal and universally relatable.
Analysis
Let's break down the poem stanza by stanza to see how Parker weaves together her themes of time, memory, and mortality.
Stanza 1
When my eyes are weeds,
And my lips are petals, spinning
Down the wind that has beginning
Where the crumpled beeches start
In a fringe of salty reeds;
In the opening stanza, Parker sets the scene for us. She describes herself as "weeds" and "petals," two images that are at once delicate and resilient. She's spinning down the wind, caught up in the currents of time and change. The "crumpled beeches" and "salty reeds" suggest a coastal landscape, perhaps a place that holds special meaning for Parker.
Stanza 2
When my arms are elder-bushes,
And the rangy lilacs cluster
Of the moon-drawn seas of summer,
The tangled net of stars,
Flecked with flickering barley-hushes;
In the second stanza, Parker continues to use nature imagery to evoke a sense of time passing. The "elder-bushes" and "rangy lilacs" suggest a wild, overgrown landscape, while the "moon-drawn seas of summer" and "tangled net of stars" suggest the vastness of the universe. The "barley-hushes" add a touch of melancholy, as if Parker is mourning the passing of time.
Stanza 3
When the footpaths moan like alleys
Of their little, lovelorn treasons,
And the sultry breeze that season's
Ever turning track is stayed
As the weary heart reasons;
In the third stanza, Parker shifts her focus to the human experience. The "footpaths" moan like "alleys," suggesting a sense of confinement or entrapment. The "lovelorn treasons" suggest a betrayal of some kind, perhaps a broken heart or a lost love. The "sultry breeze" is a reminder of the heat of summer, and the way it can make us feel trapped and restless.
Stanza 4
When the tongue is tangled with the
Shreds of speech worn thin and broken,
And the soul that is not token
Dumps the body that's akin
To a heap of clothes still smoking;
In the fourth stanza, Parker continues to explore the theme of mortality. The "tongue" is "tangled" with "shreds of speech worn thin and broken," suggesting a loss of communication or a difficulty in expressing oneself. The "soul that is not token" suggests a sense of isolation or loneliness. The final image of the "heap of clothes still smoking" is a powerful one, suggesting the suddenness and finality of death.
Stanza 5
When my quickened heart is sinking
In the deeps of its own story,
And the world as it was before me
Is diminished to a few
Pulses in the being of the morning;
In the fifth stanza, Parker brings the poem full circle. She returns to the image of herself as "weeds" and "petals," caught up in the currents of time. The "quickened heart" suggests a sense of urgency or desperation, as if Parker is trying to hold onto the memories of the past. The final image of the "pulses in the being of the morning" suggests a sense of renewal or rebirth, as if Parker is ready to let go of the past and embrace the present.
Stanza 6
Then let come what come may,
As the tiny, one-celled creatures
Swarm and multiply in seas,
I will drift away with whither
The wind and water please.
In the final stanza, Parker embraces the inevitability of change and mortality. She compares herself to the "tiny, one-celled creatures" that swarm and multiply in the seas, suggesting a sense of interconnectedness with all living things. The final image of "drifting away with whither the wind and water please" is a powerful one, suggesting a sense of surrender and acceptance.
Conclusion
"August" is a poem that speaks to the heart of what it means to be human. It's a poem that reminds us of the fleeting nature of time, and the importance of cherishing the moments we have. Parker's use of nature imagery and metaphors creates a sense of timelessness and universality, while her focus on the human experience adds a sense of intimacy and personal connection.
As we move through the long, lazy days of August, let us remember the lessons of this poem. Let us cherish the memories we've made and the people we've loved, and let us embrace the present moment with open hearts and minds. For as Parker reminds us, "let come what come may," we will always have the power to choose how we respond to the world around us.
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