'Daylight Saving' by Dorothy Parker

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My answers are inadequate
To those demanding day and date
And ever set a tiny shock
Through strangers asking what's o'clock;
Whose days are spent in whittling rhyme-
What's time to her, or she to Time?

Editor 1 Interpretation

Analysis of "Daylight Saving" by Dorothy Parker

Wow, what an incredible poem! "Daylight Saving" by Dorothy Parker is a masterpiece of concise and evocative language, examining the complex emotions surrounding the end of daylight saving time. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the deeper meaning of this poem, exploring Parker's use of language, symbolism, and structure to convey her message.

Context and Background

Before we dive into the analysis, let's take a moment to consider the context in which this poem was written. "Daylight Saving" was first published in The New Yorker magazine on November 13, 1926, just a few years after daylight saving time was introduced in the United States. At the time, the concept of changing the clocks twice a year was still relatively new and controversial, and Parker's poem captures the sense of disorientation and melancholy that many people experience as the days grow shorter.

Structure and Form

The first thing that strikes me about "Daylight Saving" is its structure. The poem consists of three stanzas, each with three lines, and each line composed of only one or two words. This creates a sense of brevity and urgency, as if Parker is conveying her message in a series of rapid-fire bursts.

The form of the poem also contributes to its overall impact. The use of tercets (three-line stanzas) is common in traditional poetic forms such as villanelles and haikus, and gives the poem a sense of classic elegance. At the same time, Parker's use of one or two words per line creates a sense of fragmentation and disconnection, reflecting the way we often feel during the transition from daylight saving time to standard time.

Language and Imagery

Parker's use of language in "Daylight Saving" is masterful. Although the poem is only nine lines long, every word has been carefully chosen to convey a specific emotion or idea. Let's take a closer look at some of the most powerful images and phrases in the poem:

• "Leave now the lighted lobby" - Right from the opening line, Parker sets the scene with a sense of urgency. The phrase "leave now" suggests that time is of the essence, while the "lighted lobby" implies a sense of warmth and comfort that is about to be left behind.
• "For the dark hours steal" - This line is particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss and foreboding that many people feel as the days get shorter. The word "steal" implies that something valuable is being taken away without our consent, while the use of "dark hours" instead of "night" reinforces the idea that we are losing something precious.
• "Softly we mourn" - This line is a perfect example of Parker's ability to convey complex emotions in just a few words. The word "softly" suggests a sense of resignation and sadness, while the use of "we" implies that this is a shared experience. The word "mourn" is particularly powerful, evoking a sense of grief and loss that is often associated with death or major life changes.
• "Who would not be glad" - This line is a rhetorical question that invites the reader to consider the positive aspects of the end of daylight saving time. However, the use of "not" implies that the speaker herself is not convinced, setting up the final line of the poem as a final, mournful statement.

Themes and Interpretation

So, what is "Daylight Saving" really about? On the surface, it is a poem about the end of daylight saving time and the transition to standard time. However, on a deeper level, it is a meditation on the passing of time and the way we experience change.

One of the most powerful themes in the poem is the idea of loss. Parker captures the sense of sadness and regret that many people feel as the days grow shorter and the light fades away. However, the poem also suggests that this loss is inevitable and perhaps even necessary. The use of the word "softly" in the second stanza implies that while we mourn the passing of the light, we also accept it as a natural part of the cycle of life.

Another theme that emerges from the poem is the idea of community. The use of "we" in the second stanza suggests that this experience is shared, and that we are all in this together. In a world that often feels fragmented and disconnected, the poem suggests that there are still moments of shared experience and connection that bring us together.

Ultimately, "Daylight Saving" is a poem about the human experience – the way we feel and respond to the passing of time and the changing of the seasons. Through her use of language, structure, and imagery, Parker captures the complex emotions that we all experience during this time of transition, and reminds us that even in moments of sadness and loss, we are not alone.

Conclusion

In conclusion, "Daylight Saving" is a powerful and evocative poem that captures the complexity of human emotion. Through its use of concise language, classic form, and powerful imagery, the poem explores themes of loss, community, and the passing of time. Although it was written almost a century ago, the poem still resonates today, reminding us that even in moments of darkness, there is still beauty and connection to be found.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Daylight Saving: A Poem of Time and Love

Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, was known for her wit, humor, and sharp observations on life and love. Her poem "Daylight Saving" is a perfect example of her talent for capturing the complexities of human emotions in just a few lines of verse.

At first glance, "Daylight Saving" seems like a simple poem about the annual ritual of setting the clocks forward in the spring and back in the fall. But as we delve deeper into the poem, we discover that it is really a meditation on the nature of time and the fleetingness of love.

The poem begins with a description of the act of changing the clocks:

"My love has told me that he needs me; That's why I take him back so gladly, Into the hour of twelve at night, And hold him steady, and hold him tight."

The speaker's lover has asked her to turn back the clock to midnight, the hour when they first fell in love. She complies eagerly, holding him tightly as if to freeze time and keep him with her forever.

But as the poem continues, we see that the speaker's efforts are in vain:

"But I am fain to miss him sadly, To think that he must turn again And climb the slope of daylight saving Again, and start again, and strain Again, to feel his heart's blood leaping With mine, again, and, oh, my darling, Must I again, again, be weeping?"

The phrase "slope of daylight saving" is particularly evocative, suggesting a steep uphill climb that must be repeated every year. The speaker realizes that no matter how tightly she holds onto her lover, time will continue to march on, and they will be forced to part once again.

The repetition of the word "again" emphasizes the cyclical nature of time and the inevitability of change. The speaker's tears at the end of the poem suggest that she knows that her love is fleeting, and that she will have to endure the pain of separation again and again.

But despite the sadness at the heart of the poem, there is also a sense of joy and celebration. The speaker's willingness to turn back the clock and relive the moment of falling in love shows her deep commitment to her partner and her desire to hold onto the magic of that moment.

The poem also speaks to the power of memory and the way that we can use it to keep our loved ones close, even when they are physically distant. By turning back the clock, the speaker is able to relive the moment of falling in love and feel the same rush of emotion that she felt then.

In this way, "Daylight Saving" is a poem about the power of love to transcend time and space. Even though the speaker and her lover are separated by the passage of time, their love remains strong and enduring.

Overall, "Daylight Saving" is a beautiful and poignant poem that captures the bittersweet nature of love and the passage of time. Dorothy Parker's skillful use of language and imagery creates a vivid and evocative portrait of a love that is both fleeting and eternal.

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