'Two-Volume Novel' by Dorothy Parker
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The sun's gone dim, and
The moon's turned black;
For I loved him, and
He didn't love back.
Editor 1 Interpretation
A Literary Criticism of Dorothy Parker's "Two-Volume Novel"
Wow, where do I even begin with this poem? "Two-Volume Novel" by Dorothy Parker is a masterpiece of wit and irony, packed into just a few short stanzas. It's a poem that seems to be poking fun at the conventions of the romantic novel, while also making a broader commentary on the gender roles and expectations of the time. In this literary criticism, I'll be diving deep into the nuances of the poem, exploring its themes and symbolism, and analyzing the techniques that Parker uses to create such a biting critique.
Overview of the Poem
Before we get into the nitty-gritty of the poem, let's take a step back and look at the big picture. "Two-Volume Novel" is a short poem that consists of just three stanzas, each with four lines. The poem is written in rhyming couplets, with a consistent ABAB rhyme scheme. This structure gives the poem a sense of order and symmetry, even as it deals with chaotic and subversive subject matter.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing a hypothetical author, asking them to "spare us the heroics" and "give us the lowdown". The implication here is that the author is writing a romance novel, and the speaker is tired of all the melodrama and overwrought emotion that comes with that genre. The speaker goes on to describe a woman who is "tired of love", suggesting that she has been through the wringer with relationships and is looking for something different.
The second stanza introduces a male character who is "tall and spare and dark and proud", with a "face like a carving" and a "voice like a funeral bell". This description is clearly meant to evoke the archetypal romantic hero, with his brooding masculinity and tragic backstory. However, the speaker quickly undercuts this image by saying that the man is "bored to death" and "never knows what he wants". This subverts our expectations and sets up a contrast between the idealized hero of romance novels and the flawed, human characters of the real world.
In the final stanza, the speaker draws together the threads of the poem and delivers the punchline: "Now, having seen them both, I know / We're better off with Flaubert's flow". This is a reference to Gustave Flaubert's novel "Madame Bovary", which is often held up as a masterpiece of realistic, unromantic storytelling. The implication is that the speaker prefers the gritty realism of Flaubert's work to the sentimental fantasy of romance novels. However, this final line also has a touch of irony to it, since "Madame Bovary" is a novel about a woman who becomes disillusioned with her mundane life and seeks escape through romantic fantasy.
Analysis of Themes and Symbolism
One of the key themes of "Two-Volume Novel" is the contrast between fantasy and reality. The speaker is clearly disillusioned with the romantic fantasy of traditional romance novels, and is seeking something more grounded and realistic. This theme is reflected in the descriptions of the two main characters, who are both revealed to be flawed and human despite their initial archetypal appearances. The woman is tired of love and seeking something different, while the man is bored and directionless despite his appearance as a romantic hero.
Another theme that emerges from the poem is the tension between gender roles and expectations. The woman in the poem is presented as a complex and multi-dimensional character, with her own desires and goals that go beyond simply finding a man to love. In contrast, the male character is more of a one-dimensional stereotype, embodying the expectations of what a romantic hero should be. This contrast suggests that women are more capable of breaking free from societal expectations and forging their own path, while men are often trapped within traditional gender roles.
The use of Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" as a touchstone for the poem's final message is also significant. "Madame Bovary" is a novel about a woman who is trapped in a mundane and unsatisfying life, and seeks escape through romantic fantasies. The novel is often read as a critique of the limited options available to women in Flaubert's time, and a commentary on the dangers of unrealistic romantic expectations. By invoking this novel, Parker is aligning herself with a tradition of feminist critique and subversion, and suggesting that the limitations of traditional gender roles are still with us today.
Analysis of Technique
One of the most striking aspects of "Two-Volume Novel" is Parker's use of irony and subversion to critique the conventions of the romance novel. Throughout the poem, she takes familiar tropes and archetypes of the genre and undercuts them with unexpected twists and turns. For example, the romantic hero is revealed to be bored and directionless, while the woman who is tired of love is presented as a more complex and interesting character.
Another technique that Parker uses to great effect is her use of language and imagery. The descriptions of the characters are vivid and evocative, with the woman's weariness and the man's brooding masculinity both conveyed through subtle word choices and phrasing. The use of rhyming couplets also lends the poem a sense of musicality and rhythm, giving it a playful and lighthearted tone despite its serious subject matter.
Finally, the use of Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" as a touchstone for the poem's final message is a masterstroke of literary allusion. By evoking this classic novel, Parker is able to draw on its themes and symbolism to bolster her own critique of gender roles and societal expectations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Two-Volume Novel" is a masterpiece of literary subversion and critique, using irony and subversion to poke fun at the conventions of the romance novel and critique the limitations of traditional gender roles. Through vivid imagery and careful word choices, Parker creates a world in which the familiar tropes of the romance novel are revealed to be shallow and unrealistic, while the complexities of real human relationships are foregrounded. By invoking Flaubert's "Madame Bovary" in the final stanza, Parker aligns herself with a tradition of feminist critique and subversion, and suggests that the limitations of traditional gender roles are still with us today. Overall, this is a poem that is both playful and serious, lighthearted and profound, and a testament to Parker's skill as a poet and critic.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Two-Volume Novel: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive commentary on the social and cultural norms of her time. Her poem "Two-Volume Novel" is a prime example of her mastery of irony and satire, as she skewers the pretentiousness and superficiality of the upper-class society of the early 20th century.
The poem, which consists of four stanzas of four lines each, follows the story of a wealthy woman who is reading a two-volume novel. The first stanza sets the scene and establishes the tone of the poem:
"Dear, I must be gone, While night Shuts the eyes Of the household spies; That song announces dawn."
The speaker, who is presumably the woman herself, addresses her lover or companion, informing them that she must leave before the morning comes and the "household spies" wake up. The reference to "spies" suggests that the woman is not free to do as she pleases, but is under the watchful eye of her family or society. The use of the word "song" to describe the dawn is a subtle hint at the theme of the poem, which is the contrast between the artificiality of the upper-class life and the natural beauty of the world outside.
The second stanza introduces the novel that the woman is reading:
"Since the Road to Hell Is paved with gold, I shall try to fold Your love in with this tale."
The speaker compares the novel to the proverbial "Road to Hell," which is paved with gold, suggesting that the book is a symbol of the corrupt and shallow values of the upper-class society. However, she also expresses a desire to "fold" her lover's love into the story, implying that she seeks a deeper and more meaningful connection than the one offered by the superficial world of the novel.
The third stanza continues the theme of the contrast between the artificial and the natural:
"I shall sit alone, With folded hands, And dream of blue lands I have never known."
The speaker describes herself as sitting alone with folded hands, suggesting a sense of resignation or boredom with her life. She then dreams of "blue lands" that she has never known, which could be interpreted as a metaphor for the natural world or the unknown depths of human experience that lie beyond the confines of her privileged existence.
The final stanza brings the poem to a powerful conclusion:
"Dear, I must be gone, While there's yet this spark Of a kiss to mark Our parting one."
The speaker repeats the opening line of the poem, indicating that she must leave before the morning comes. However, she also acknowledges the fleeting nature of their connection by referring to the "spark" of a kiss that will mark their parting. The use of the word "spark" is significant, as it suggests a brief, intense burst of energy that quickly fades away, much like the passion and excitement of the upper-class life that the poem critiques.
Overall, "Two-Volume Novel" is a masterful work of irony and satire that exposes the shallowness and artificiality of the upper-class society of the early 20th century. Through the use of vivid imagery, subtle metaphors, and a keen sense of irony, Dorothy Parker creates a powerful commentary on the human condition that is as relevant today as it was when the poem was first written. Whether read as a critique of the excesses of the wealthy or as a meditation on the fleeting nature of human connection, "Two-Volume Novel" is a timeless masterpiece that continues to captivate and inspire readers to this day.
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