'Second Love' by Dorothy Parker
AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay
"So surely is she mine," you say, and turn
Your quick and steady mind to harder things-
To bills and bonds and talk of what men earn-
And whistle up the stair, of evenings.
And do you see a dream behind my eyes,
Or ask a simple question twice of me-
"Thus women are," you say; for men are wise
And tolerant, in their security.
How shall I count the midnights I have known
When calm you turn to me, nor feel me start,
To find my easy lips upon your own
And know my breast beneath your rhythmic heart.
Your god defer the day I tell you this:
My lad, my lad, it is not you I kiss!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Second Love: A Poetic Masterpiece by Dorothy Parker
If you're a fan of poetry, you've probably heard of Dorothy Parker. She's one of the most celebrated poets of the 20th century, and for good reason. Parker's poems are witty, insightful, and emotionally resonant. One poem that stands out in particular is "Second Love." In this 16-line masterpiece, Parker captures the bittersweet nature of love and the pain of loss. In this literary criticism, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used by Parker to create this timeless piece of poetry.
The Themes of Second Love
One of the central themes of "Second Love" is the idea of loss. The speaker of the poem is mourning the end of a relationship, and the pain of that loss is palpable. The opening lines of the poem set the tone for what's to come:
I know that some prefer the "evening primrose" In frivolous frivolity to me; But I prefer the "evening dark and dolorous," And you, elusive, mournful Sappho, you.
Here, Parker is evoking the image of an evening primrose, a beautiful flower that blooms at night. While some may find the flower to be a symbol of beauty and hope, the speaker of the poem is drawn to the "evening dark and dolorous." This sets up a contrast between the lightness of new love and the darkness of heartbreak.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the idea of second chances. The speaker of the poem is mourning the end of one relationship, but there is a suggestion that she may find love again. This is hinted at in the line "I will forget you presently, my dear," which suggests that the speaker is moving on from the relationship. The title of the poem, "Second Love," also suggests that there may be another chance for love in the future.
The Imagery of Second Love
Parker's use of imagery in "Second Love" is both vivid and evocative. The image of the evening primrose is one example, but there are many others throughout the poem. In the second stanza, the speaker describes Sappho, the poet from ancient Greece known for her passionate love poetry:
Your song came faltering through the olive-trees, And, in the moonlight, tremulous and sad, It echoed with a sound of sorrowing, Like woodland chords by melancholy made.
Here, Parker uses the imagery of the moonlight and the olive-trees to create a sense of longing and melancholy. The alliteration in the phrase "woodland chords by melancholy made" adds to the musicality of the poem.
Another striking image in the poem is that of the "distant ships" in the final stanza:
I shall forget you presently, my dear, So make the most of this, your little day, Your little month, your little half a year, Ere I forget, or die, or move away, And we are done forever; by and by I shall forget you, as I said before. Yet if you should remember that we met And you're not first to fail me, nor to die; And you're not first to follow me and set Your lonely thoughts adrift in misery
Here, the speaker is imagining a future in which she has moved on from this relationship and is living her life. The image of the distant ships suggests that she has left the past behind and is moving forward. The repetition of the phrase "your little" emphasizes the fleeting nature of life.
The Literary Devices of Second Love
Parker's use of literary devices in "Second Love" is masterful. One device that is particularly effective is her use of repetition. The phrase "I shall forget you presently, my dear" is repeated twice in the poem, and this repetition creates a sense of inevitability. The speaker is trying to convince herself that she will forget this person, but the repetition suggests that she may not be entirely successful.
Another literary device used in the poem is alliteration. This is particularly evident in the second stanza, where Parker uses alliteration to create a musical effect:
Your song came faltering through the olive-trees, And, in the moonlight, tremulous and sad, It echoed with a sound of sorrowing, Like woodland chords by melancholy made.
The repetition of the "s" and "m" sounds in these lines creates a sense of fluidity and musicality.
Finally, Parker's use of rhyme is also noteworthy. The poem is written in quatrains, with an ABAB rhyme scheme. The rhyme scheme is subtle, but it helps to create a sense of unity and coherence throughout the poem.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Second Love" is a poetic masterpiece that explores the themes of loss and second chances. Parker's use of imagery and literary devices creates a sense of melancholy and longing that is both beautiful and profound. The poem is an example of Parker's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the complexities of human emotion in just a few lines. "Second Love" is a timeless work of art that will continue to resonate with readers for generations to come.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Second Love: A Poem of Heartbreak and Resilience
Dorothy Parker's Second Love is a poignant and powerful poem that explores the themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience. Written in Parker's signature style of wit and irony, the poem captures the emotional turmoil of a woman who has been hurt by love and is struggling to move on. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning and significance, exploring its themes, imagery, and language.
The poem opens with a stark and simple statement: "I never loved you more, ma soeur." The use of French adds a touch of elegance and sophistication to the poem, but it also serves to distance the speaker from the pain she is feeling. The phrase "ma soeur" means "my sister," suggesting a close bond between the speaker and the person she is addressing. However, the use of the past tense "never loved" indicates that this bond has been broken, and the speaker is now looking back on it with regret.
The second line of the poem is equally stark: "What path has love not taken to the door?" Here, Parker is acknowledging the many twists and turns that love can take, and the unpredictable nature of romantic relationships. The phrase "to the door" suggests that love has come knocking, but it has not always been welcome. The speaker is implying that she has been hurt by love in the past, and is now wary of its advances.
The third line of the poem introduces the central metaphor of the poem: "But by the love that locked me to your heart." Here, Parker is comparing love to a lock, suggesting that it can be both binding and restrictive. The phrase "locked me to your heart" implies that the speaker has been trapped or imprisoned by love, unable to escape its grasp. This is a common theme in Parker's work, as she often portrays love as a force that can be both alluring and dangerous.
The fourth line of the poem is perhaps the most powerful: "I knew the more I loved you, I deplored." Here, Parker is expressing the paradoxical nature of love, and the way in which it can bring both joy and pain. The phrase "the more I loved you" suggests that the speaker was deeply invested in the relationship, but the word "deplored" indicates that she was also deeply unhappy. This is a common experience for many people who have been in toxic or abusive relationships, where love and pain are intertwined.
The fifth line of the poem introduces a new character: "Your ribbon, worn upon my uniform." Here, Parker is using the image of a ribbon to symbolize the speaker's attachment to the person she is addressing. The phrase "worn upon my uniform" suggests that the speaker is proud of this attachment, but it also implies a sense of duty or obligation. The use of military imagery adds a touch of formality and seriousness to the poem, underscoring the importance of the relationship to the speaker.
The sixth line of the poem is a repetition of the first: "I never loved you more, ma soeur." Here, Parker is emphasizing the speaker's conflicted emotions, and the way in which love can be both all-consuming and destructive. The repetition of the phrase suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with her feelings, and is unable to move on from the relationship.
The seventh line of the poem introduces a new image: "The die was cast." Here, Parker is using the metaphor of a die to symbolize the speaker's fate, suggesting that her destiny was sealed by the relationship. The phrase "was cast" implies that the speaker had no control over the outcome, and that she was simply a pawn in the game of love. This is a common theme in Parker's work, as she often portrays women as being at the mercy of their emotions and circumstances.
The eighth line of the poem is a repetition of the fourth: "I knew the more I loved you, I deplored." Here, Parker is once again emphasizing the speaker's conflicted emotions, and the way in which love can be both a source of joy and pain. The repetition of the phrase suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with her feelings, and is unable to move on from the relationship.
The ninth line of the poem introduces a new image: "The chance was lost." Here, Parker is using the metaphor of a chance to symbolize the speaker's missed opportunity for happiness. The phrase "was lost" implies that the speaker had a chance to be happy, but that she let it slip away. This is a common theme in Parker's work, as she often portrays women as being trapped by their own fears and insecurities.
The tenth and final line of the poem is a repetition of the first: "I never loved you more, ma soeur." Here, Parker is bringing the poem full circle, emphasizing the speaker's conflicted emotions and the way in which love can be both a source of joy and pain. The repetition of the phrase suggests that the speaker is still struggling to come to terms with her feelings, and is unable to move on from the relationship.
In conclusion, Second Love is a powerful and poignant poem that explores the themes of love, heartbreak, and resilience. Through its use of metaphor, imagery, and language, the poem captures the emotional turmoil of a woman who has been hurt by love and is struggling to move on. Parker's signature wit and irony add a touch of humor and levity to the poem, but they also underscore the seriousness of the subject matter. Ultimately, Second Love is a testament to the human spirit and its ability to endure even the most painful of experiences.
Editor Recommended Sites
Tactical Roleplaying Games: Find more tactical roleplaying games like final fantasy tactics, wakfu, ffbe wotvCrypto Trading - Best practice for swing traders & Crypto Technical Analysis: Learn crypto technical analysis, liquidity, momentum, fundamental analysis and swing trading techniques
Docker Education: Education on OCI containers, docker, docker compose, docker swarm, podman
Machine Learning Recipes: Tutorials tips and tricks for machine learning engineers, large language model LLM Ai engineers
ML Platform: Machine Learning Platform on AWS and GCP, comparison and similarities across cloud ml platforms
Recommended Similar Analysis
Pear Tree by H.D. analysisUnder The Waterfall by Thomas Hardy analysis
The Coronet by Andrew Marvell analysis
John Keats by George Gordon, Lord Byron analysis
Butterfly by D.H. Lawrence analysis
Mack The Knife by Bertolt Brecht analysis
They dropped like flakes by Emily Dickinson analysis
I heard a Fly buzz-when I died by Emily Dickinson analysis
Never Again Would Bird's Song Be The Same by Robert Frost analysis
Sonnet XXXVII by William Shakespeare analysis