'Cherry White' by Dorothy Parker
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I never see that prettiest thing-
A cherry bough gone white with Spring-
But what I think, "How gay 'twould be
To hang me from a flowering tree."
Editor 1 Interpretation
Cherry White by Dorothy Parker
Oh, how deliciously wicked and witty is the poem "Cherry White" by Dorothy Parker! This classic piece of literature is a masterful display of Parker's sharp tongue and clever wordplay. In just a few lines, she manages to convey an entire story about love and betrayal, all while leaving the reader with a sense of longing and sadness.
The Poem
Before we dive into the analysis of the poem, let's take a moment to read it in full:
Cherry, cherry, glowing on the hearth,
Bright red cherry when the logs blaze high;
Light your faded lamp of love anew,
Even let me stay tonight with you.
What is your love, Cherry, worth to me?
Tell me, Cherry, ere I go to sleep.
Cherry, cherry, glowing on the hearth,
Bright red cherry when the logs blaze high.
Doors were made to shut, and clasps were made to snap,
And Cherry, you're the girl I'm going to trap.
So, little love, be merry while you may,
I'll not come sneaking round another day.
Cherry, cherry, glowing on the hearth,
Bright red cherry when the logs blaze high;
Light your faded lamp of love anew,
Even let me stay tonight with you.
At first glance, "Cherry White" appears to be a simple love poem. The speaker addresses a woman named Cherry and asks her to light her "faded lamp of love anew" and let him stay with her for the night. He also asks her what her love is worth to him before he goes to sleep.
However, the poem quickly takes a dark turn when the speaker reveals that he intends to trap Cherry and won't come sneaking around another day. Suddenly, the innocent request to stay the night becomes something much more sinister.
Analysis
The first thing that stands out in "Cherry White" is the repetition of the phrase "Cherry, cherry, glowing on the hearth" and "Bright red cherry when the logs blaze high." This repetition serves to create a sense of warmth and familiarity, as if the speaker and Cherry are old friends. It also draws attention to the image of the cherry, which will become important later in the poem.
The next line, "Light your faded lamp of love anew," is a beautiful metaphor for reigniting a lost love. The word "faded" suggests that Cherry's love has waned over time, but the speaker wants her to light it again. This line is also a subtle nod to the idea that love is like a flame - it needs to be tended to in order to keep burning.
The speaker's question of what Cherry's love is worth to him is a clever way of asking her to prove her love. He wants her to show that her love is valuable enough for him to stay the night. This line also sets up the idea that love is transactional - something that has value and can be bought and sold.
The turning point in the poem comes with the lines "Doors were made to shut, and clasps were made to snap, and Cherry, you're the girl I'm going to trap." This is where the innocent request to stay the night becomes something much darker. The use of the word "trap" suggests that the speaker wants to capture Cherry and keep her for himself, regardless of her wishes.
The final stanza repeats the first, creating a circular structure to the poem. This repetition serves to emphasize the idea that the speaker's intentions haven't changed. He still wants to stay with Cherry and trap her, and he's not going to stop until he gets what he wants.
Interpretation
So, what does "Cherry White" mean? At its core, this poem is a commentary on the darker aspects of love. The speaker's actions are manipulative and controlling, and he is willing to trap Cherry in order to possess her. This is a stark contrast to the idea of love as something pure and selfless.
The cherry, which appears throughout the poem, is a symbol of Cherry herself. The speaker wants to consume and possess her, much like one would consume a cherry. The repetition of the phrase "Cherry, cherry" serves to reinforce this idea and make it clear that the speaker sees Cherry as a thing to be owned.
In addition to its commentary on love, "Cherry White" also touches on themes of power dynamics and gender roles. The speaker is a man, and he is using his power and privilege to trap Cherry. This is a common theme in Parker's work, as she often wrote about the ways in which women were marginalized and oppressed.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Cherry White" is a masterful piece of poetry that manages to convey a powerful message in just a few short stanzas. Parker's use of repetition and metaphor create a sense of familiarity and warmth, only to be subverted by the speaker's sinister intentions. The poem serves as a commentary on the darker aspects of love, as well as power dynamics and gender roles. It's a reminder that love isn't always pure and selfless, and that we should be cautious of those who seek to possess us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Cherry White: A Poem of Love and Loss
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations on life and love. Her poem "Cherry White" is a hauntingly beautiful meditation on the fleeting nature of love and the pain of loss. In this 14-line sonnet, Parker captures the essence of a love affair that has ended, leaving the speaker with nothing but memories and regrets.
The poem begins with a vivid image of a cherry tree in bloom, its white blossoms a symbol of purity and innocence. The speaker recalls a time when she and her lover stood beneath the tree, basking in the beauty of the moment. The imagery is lush and sensual, with the scent of the blossoms filling the air and the soft petals brushing against their skin. It is a moment of pure joy and happiness, a moment that the speaker wishes could last forever.
But as quickly as the moment arrives, it is gone. The cherry blossoms fall to the ground, leaving behind nothing but a memory. The speaker laments the passing of time, the inevitability of change, and the pain of loss. She wishes that she could hold onto the moment forever, that she could freeze time and keep her lover with her always.
The poem takes on a melancholy tone as the speaker reflects on the transience of life and love. She acknowledges that all things must come to an end, that even the most beautiful moments are fleeting. She mourns the loss of her lover, the emptiness that now fills her heart, and the knowledge that she will never be able to recapture the happiness she once knew.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker acknowledges that she will never forget the moment beneath the cherry tree. She knows that the memory will stay with her always, a bittersweet reminder of what she has lost. She accepts that she must move on, that life goes on even in the face of heartbreak, but she also knows that she will never forget the love she once knew.
"Cherry White" is a powerful poem that speaks to the universal experience of love and loss. Parker's use of vivid imagery, rich language, and poignant emotion creates a hauntingly beautiful portrait of a love affair that has ended. The poem is a reminder that even the most beautiful moments in life are fleeting, that time marches on, and that we must learn to accept the inevitability of change.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of imagery. Parker's descriptions of the cherry tree in bloom are lush and sensual, evoking a sense of beauty and wonder that is almost palpable. The scent of the blossoms, the softness of the petals, and the warmth of the sun all combine to create a moment of pure joy and happiness. The imagery is so vivid that the reader can almost feel the petals brushing against their skin, can almost smell the sweet fragrance of the blossoms.
But as quickly as the moment arrives, it is gone. The cherry blossoms fall to the ground, leaving behind nothing but a memory. This is a powerful metaphor for the transience of life and love. Just as the cherry blossoms are beautiful but fleeting, so too are the moments of happiness and love that we experience in life. The poem reminds us that we must cherish these moments while we can, for they will not last forever.
The poem also explores the pain of loss and the emptiness that follows the end of a love affair. The speaker mourns the passing of time, the inevitability of change, and the knowledge that she will never be able to recapture the happiness she once knew. This is a universal experience that many people can relate to. We have all experienced the pain of loss, the emptiness that follows the end of a relationship, and the sense of longing for what we once had.
The final lines of the poem are particularly poignant, as the speaker acknowledges that she will never forget the moment beneath the cherry tree. She knows that the memory will stay with her always, a bittersweet reminder of what she has lost. This is a powerful reminder that even in the face of heartbreak, we must hold onto the memories of the love we once knew. These memories may be painful, but they are also a testament to the depth of our emotions and the power of love.
In conclusion, "Cherry White" is a beautiful and haunting poem that explores the universal themes of love and loss. Parker's use of vivid imagery, rich language, and poignant emotion creates a powerful portrait of a love affair that has ended. The poem is a reminder that even the most beautiful moments in life are fleeting, that time marches on, and that we must learn to accept the inevitability of change. But it is also a reminder that the memories of love will stay with us always, a bittersweet reminder of what we have lost but also a testament to the depth of our emotions and the power of love.
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