'Godmother' by Dorothy Parker
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The day that I was christened-
It's a hundred years, and more!-
A hag came and listened
At the white church door,
A-hearing her that bore me
And all my kith and kin
Considerately, for me,
Renouncing sin.
While some gave me corals,
And some gave me gold,
And porringers, with morals
Agreeably scrolled,
The hag stood, buckled
In a dim gray cloak;
Stood there and chuckled,
Spat, and spoke:
"There's few enough in life'll
Be needing my help,
But I've got a trifle
For your fine young whelp.
I give her sadness,
And the gift of pain,
The new-moon madness,
And the love of rain."
And little good to lave me
In their holy silver bowl
After what she gave me-
Rest her soul!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Exciting Literary Criticism of "Godmother" by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, the American writer, poet, and satirist, is known for her witty and sardonic style. One of her most famous poems is "Godmother," published in 1939. This poem is a satirical take on the traditional fairy tale trope of the godmother, who grants wishes and helps the protagonist achieve their desires. Parker's godmother, however, is not the benevolent figure we expect. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will examine the themes, structure, and style of "Godmother" and explore its relevance to contemporary society.
Themes
At first glance, "Godmother" seems like a playful and humorous poem. The speaker, a young girl, is visited by her godmother, who offers her three wishes. The girl asks for a fur coat, a diamond ring, and a handsome husband. The godmother grants these wishes, but the girl soon realizes that they do not bring her happiness. Her fur coat makes her feel guilty, her diamond ring is constantly stolen, and her husband is a philanderer. The poem ends with the speaker asking her godmother to take away her wishes and give her peace instead.
However, a closer analysis of "Godmother" reveals deeper themes. The poem is a critique of consumerism, gender roles, and societal expectations. The girl's wishes are typical of the desires of women in the 1930s – material possessions and a husband. Parker shows how these expectations can lead to dissatisfaction and unhappiness. The girl's fur coat is a symbol of her guilt and complicity in the fur industry. The diamond ring is a metaphor for the pressure put on women to conform to societal norms and the idea that a woman's worth is measured by her marital status. The husband is a representation of the patriarchal society that values men over women and promotes infidelity.
Parker's godmother is a subversion of the traditional fairy tale godmother. She is not a kind and loving figure who bestows gifts on the protagonist. Instead, she is a cynical and sarcastic character who mocks the girl's wishes and exposes the flaws in the societal expectations that led her to make them. The godmother represents an alternative to the traditional feminine role of nurturing and caring. She is independent and critical, challenging the status quo and encouraging the girl to question her desires.
Structure
"Godmother" is a free-verse poem, meaning it does not follow a strict rhyme or meter. This form allows Parker to experiment with language and create a conversational tone. The poem is written in the first person, from the perspective of the speaker, which creates a personal and intimate connection with the reader. The poem is divided into three stanzas of unequal length, with the first and third stanzas containing ten lines each and the second stanza containing only three lines. This structure emphasizes the importance of the girl's wishes and the godmother's response, while also creating a sense of imbalance and discomfort.
The first stanza introduces the girl and the godmother and sets up the premise of the poem. The second stanza contains the girl's wishes and the godmother's response. This stanza is the shortest and most impactful, as it contrasts the girl's desire with the reality of the wish. The final stanza contains the girl's realization and her plea to the godmother. This stanza is longer than the second and allows for the speaker's emotions to develop and the theme of the poem to be fully realized.
The use of repetition in the poem is also significant. The line "I wish" is repeated three times, emphasizing the girl's desire and the godmother's disdain. The repetition also creates a hypnotic effect, as the girl becomes more and more obsessed with her wishes. The repetition of the phrase "Lucky little girl," used by the godmother to describe the girl, is also significant. This phrase is used ironically, as the girl's wishes do not bring her luck, but instead lead to her misery.
Style
Parker's style in "Godmother" is characterized by her use of irony, sarcasm, and satire. She uses humor to critique societal expectations and gender roles. The godmother's sarcastic tone and biting comments expose the flaws in the girl's wishes and highlight the absurdity of societal norms. Parker's use of language is also noteworthy. The poem is full of puns, allusions, and clever wordplay. For example, the line "And they put snow on the rabbit-skin, / After you've taken it off" is a pun on the idea of putting salt on a wound, emphasizing the girl's guilt over her fur coat.
The imagery in the poem is also significant. The use of the fur coat, diamond ring, and husband are all symbols of the societal expectations placed on women. The fur coat represents the cruelty of the fur industry and the pressure on women to conform to fashion trends. The diamond ring is a symbol of the societal pressure on women to get married and the idea that a woman's worth is measured by her marital status. The husband is a symbol of the patriarchy and the idea that women should be subservient to men.
Interpretation
"Godmother" is a timeless poem that is relevant to contemporary society. Parker's critique of consumerism, gender roles, and societal expectations is still applicable today. The pressure on women to conform to societal norms and the idea that material possessions bring happiness are still prevalent. The godmother's subversion of the traditional feminine role is also relevant today, as women continue to challenge gender roles and stereotypes.
The poem's structure and style also contribute to its interpretation. The use of the first person and the repetition of the phrase "I wish" create a sense of obsession and desperation. The godmother's sarcastic tone and biting comments highlight the absurdity of societal expectations and challenge the reader to think critically about their own desires. The use of symbolism and imagery emphasizes the importance of the poem's themes and makes them accessible to a wider audience.
In conclusion, "Godmother" by Dorothy Parker is a satirical and witty critique of consumerism, gender roles, and societal expectations. Parker's use of language, structure, and style create a timeless poem that is still relevant today. The godmother's subversion of the traditional feminine role challenges gender roles and stereotypes, while the use of symbolism and imagery emphasizes the importance of the poem's themes. "Godmother" is a must-read for anyone interested in feminist literature, satire, or poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Godmother: A Poem of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and satirical commentary on the society and culture of her time. Her poem "Godmother" is a perfect example of her unique style and perspective. In this 16-line poem, Parker presents a scathing critique of the institution of godparenthood, exposing its hypocrisy, superficiality, and absurdity. Through her use of irony, imagery, and language, Parker challenges the traditional notions of family, religion, and morality, and offers a subversive and humorous take on the role of godparents in modern society.
The poem begins with a seemingly innocent and conventional scene: a christening ceremony, where a baby is being baptized and given a godmother. However, Parker immediately subverts this image by describing the godmother as "a fairy godmother, straight from a book". This reference to the fairy tale trope of a magical godmother who grants wishes and transforms lives is a deliberate contrast to the reality of godparenthood, which is often more of a social obligation than a spiritual or emotional connection. By using this allusion, Parker sets up the reader's expectations for a whimsical and fantastical story, only to shatter them with her ironic and cynical tone.
The second stanza of the poem further emphasizes this contrast between the idealized image of godparenthood and its actual practice. Parker describes the godmother as "a lady in diamonds and ermine", a symbol of wealth, status, and extravagance. This image is again at odds with the traditional role of godparents, who are supposed to provide spiritual guidance and support to the child, rather than material gifts or social connections. By portraying the godmother as a superficial and materialistic figure, Parker exposes the hollowness of the godparent-child relationship, which is often based on appearances and social conventions rather than genuine affection and concern.
The third stanza of the poem takes a darker turn, as Parker reveals the true nature of the godmother's intentions. She writes, "She gave little Henry a blessing, and then / She bewitched him, the wicked old dear". This sudden shift in tone and mood is typical of Parker's style, as she often uses irony and satire to subvert the reader's expectations and challenge their assumptions. By describing the godmother as "wicked", Parker suggests that her actions are not motivated by love or kindness, but rather by a desire for power and control. The use of the word "bewitched" also implies a sense of manipulation and coercion, as if the godmother is using her influence over the child to shape his future according to her own wishes.
The fourth and final stanza of the poem brings the irony and satire to a climax, as Parker reveals the true identity of the godmother. She writes, "She's his fairy godmother, straight from a tale / Of a castle and a glass slipper". This final twist in the poem is both unexpected and hilarious, as it subverts the reader's expectations once again and exposes the absurdity of the godparent-child relationship. By comparing the godmother to a fairy tale character, Parker highlights the artificiality and superficiality of godparenthood, which often involves little more than a symbolic gesture of naming someone as a godparent. The reference to the "castle and a glass slipper" also suggests a sense of fantasy and unreality, as if the godparent-child relationship is more of a fairy tale than a real-life connection.
Overall, "Godmother" is a masterful example of Dorothy Parker's unique style and perspective. Through her use of irony, imagery, and language, Parker exposes the hypocrisy, superficiality, and absurdity of the institution of godparenthood, and offers a subversive and humorous take on the role of godparents in modern society. Her poem challenges the traditional notions of family, religion, and morality, and invites the reader to question their own assumptions and beliefs. In the end, "Godmother" is not just a poem about godparenthood, but a commentary on the human condition itself, and a reminder that sometimes the most profound truths are hidden beneath the surface of our everyday lives.
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