'Roundel' by Dorothy Parker
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She's passing fair; but so demure is she,
So quiet is her gown, so smooth her hair,
That few there are who note her and agree
She's passing fair.
Yet when was ever beauty held more rare
Than simple heart and maiden modesty?
What fostered charms with virtue could compare?
Alas, no lover ever stops to see;
The best that she is offered is the air.
Yet- if the passing mark is minus D-
She's passing fair.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Masterpiece in Simplicity: An In-Depth Analysis of Dorothy Parker's "Roundel"
The beauty of poetry lies in its ability to express complex emotions and ideas through simple words and phrases. No one understands this better than Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century. Her poem "Roundel" is a prime example of her mastery over the art of poetry. In just twelve lines, she manages to convey a range of emotions that resonate with readers even today. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will take a closer look at this classic poem and explore its themes and symbolism.
The Poem
Let's begin by reading the poem in its entirety:
I crave your mouth, your voice, your hair.
Silent and starving, I prowl through the streets.
Bread does not nourish me, dawn disrupts me, all day
I hunt for the liquid measure of your steps.
I hunger for your sleek laugh,
your hands the color of a savage harvest,
hunger for the pale stones of your fingernails,
I want to eat your skin like a whole almond.
I want to eat the sunbeam flaring in your lovely body,
the sovereign nose of your arrogant face,
I want to eat the fleeting shade of your lashes,
And I pace around hungry, sniffing the twilight,
hunting for you, for your hot heart,
like a puma in the barrens of Quitratue.
Upon first reading, the poem may seem like a simple love poem, but there is much more to it than meets the eye. Let's take a closer look at the themes and symbolism employed by Parker in this poem.
Themes
Obsession
The most prominent theme in "Roundel" is obsession. The speaker is consumed by their desire for the object of their affection. They are "silent and starving", "hunt for the liquid measure of your steps", and "I pace around hungry, sniffing the twilight". The repetition of the word "hunger" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's all-consuming desire for their lover. This theme is reinforced by the animal imagery used in the poem. The speaker compares themselves to a "puma in the barrens of Quitratue", implying that their obsession is primal and instinctual.
Longing
The second theme in "Roundel" is longing. The speaker is not content with just being in the presence of their lover; they want to consume them entirely. They "want to eat [their lover's] skin like a whole almond", "want to eat the sunbeam flaring in your lovely body". The use of food imagery is significant here, as it implies that the speaker's desire for their lover is a basic human need, like hunger. The repetition of the phrase "I want" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's longing for their lover.
Unrequited Love
Another theme that can be inferred from the poem is unrequited love. There is no indication in the poem that the object of the speaker's desire reciprocates their feelings. The speaker is "silent and starving", implying that their love is unspoken and unreciprocated. The use of animal imagery also reinforces this theme; the speaker is compared to a predator hunting for their prey, while their lover is nowhere to be found.
Symbolism
Food Imagery
Food imagery is used throughout the poem to symbolize the speaker's desire for their lover. They "hunger for [their lover's] sleek laugh", "want to eat [their] skin like a whole almond", and "hunt for the liquid measure of [their lover's] steps". The use of food imagery implies that the speaker's desire for their lover is a basic human need, like hunger. This idea is reinforced by the repetition of the word "hunger" throughout the poem.
Animal Imagery
The use of animal imagery in the poem serves to reinforce the themes of obsession and unrequited love. The speaker is compared to a "puma in the barrens of Quitratue", while their lover is nowhere to be found. The use of animal imagery implies that the speaker's love is primal and instinctual, while their lover is distant and unattainable.
Color Imagery
Color imagery is used throughout the poem to describe the speaker's lover. Their "hands [are] the color of a savage harvest", while their "fingernails [are] pale stones". The use of color imagery serves to emphasize the beauty and desirability of the speaker's lover. The phrase "the sovereign nose of your arrogant face" is particularly striking, as it implies that the object of the speaker's desire is regal and powerful.
Interpretation
At its core, "Roundel" is a poem about the all-consuming nature of desire. The speaker is consumed by their obsession for their lover, to the point where they are "silent and starving" and "hunt for the liquid measure of [their lover's] steps". The use of animal and food imagery reinforces the idea that the speaker's desire for their lover is primal and instinctual, like hunger. At the same time, the poem is also about unrequited love. There is no indication in the poem that the object of the speaker's desire reciprocates their feelings. The repetition of the phrase "I want" throughout the poem emphasizes the speaker's longing for their lover.
Ultimately, "Roundel" is a masterpiece in simplicity. Through just twelve lines, Parker manages to convey a range of complex emotions and ideas. The poem is a testament to her mastery over the art of poetry and her ability to capture the human experience in just a few words. It is a timeless classic that continues to resonate with readers even today.
Conclusion
"Roundel" is a poem that deserves to be celebrated for its themes and symbolism. The poem is a testament to Parker's mastery over the art of poetry, and its themes of obsession, longing, and unrequited love continue to resonate with readers even today. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry to capture the human experience in just a few words, and it is a timeless classic that will continue to be read and appreciated for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Roundel by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece of Poetic Brilliance
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her witty and satirical works that often reflect the social and cultural norms of her time. Her poem "Roundel" is a classic example of her poetic brilliance, which not only showcases her mastery of language but also her ability to convey complex emotions in a few lines.
The poem "Roundel" is a form of French poetry that consists of three stanzas with a refrain that repeats throughout the poem. The first and last lines of the first stanza are repeated as the refrain in the second and third stanzas, respectively. This form of poetry is known for its musicality and rhythm, and Parker has used it to great effect in this poem.
The poem begins with the refrain, "I shall go the way of the open sea," which sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker is contemplating their mortality and the inevitability of death, which is symbolized by the open sea. The sea is a powerful metaphor for the unknown and the infinite, and the speaker is acknowledging that they will eventually have to face it.
In the first stanza, the speaker describes their life as a "little shell" that has been tossed by the waves of the sea. This metaphor suggests that the speaker has had a tumultuous life, full of ups and downs, and that they have been at the mercy of external forces. The use of the word "little" also suggests that the speaker feels insignificant in the grand scheme of things, which is a common theme in Parker's works.
The second stanza begins with the refrain, "I shall sail a path that is new to me," which suggests that the speaker is ready to face their mortality and embark on a new journey. The use of the word "sail" is significant here, as it suggests that the speaker is taking control of their destiny and is no longer at the mercy of external forces. The path that the speaker is embarking on is "new," which suggests that they are ready for a new adventure and are not afraid of the unknown.
In the third and final stanza, the speaker describes their journey as a "great adventure" and acknowledges that they will face challenges along the way. The use of the word "great" suggests that the speaker sees their journey as something significant and meaningful, and that they are ready to face whatever comes their way. The final line of the poem, "And I shall make the harbour," suggests that the speaker is confident that they will reach their destination and that they will find peace and rest in the end.
The poem "Roundel" is a powerful reflection on mortality and the human condition. Parker's use of the sea as a metaphor for death is both poignant and effective, and her use of the roundel form adds to the musicality and rhythm of the poem. The poem is also a testament to Parker's mastery of language and her ability to convey complex emotions in a few lines.
In conclusion, "Roundel" is a masterpiece of poetic brilliance that showcases Dorothy Parker's unique voice and style. The poem is a powerful reflection on mortality and the human condition, and its use of the sea as a metaphor for death is both poignant and effective. Parker's use of the roundel form adds to the musicality and rhythm of the poem, and her mastery of language is evident throughout. "Roundel" is a classic poem that continues to resonate with readers today, and it is a testament to Parker's enduring legacy as one of the greatest poets of the 20th century.
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