'Threnody' by Dorothy Parker
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Lilacs blossom just as sweet
Now my heart is shattered.
If I bowled it down the street,
Who's to say it mattered?
If there's one that rode away
What would I be missing?
Lips that taste of tears, they say,
Are the best for kissing.
Eyes that watch the morning star
Seem a little brighter;
Arms held out to darkness are
Usually whiter.
Shall I bar the strolling guest,
Bind my brow with willow,
When, they say, the empty breast
Is the softer pillow?
That a heart falls tinkling down,
Never think it ceases.
Every likely lad in town
Gathers up the pieces.
If there's one gone whistling by
Would I let it grieve me?
Let him wonder if I lie;
Let him half believe me.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Threnody: An Analysis
Oh my goodness, where do I even begin with Dorothy Parker's Threnody? This classic poem is a masterpiece of literary expression, with layers upon layers of meaning and emotion to unpack. At its core, Threnody is a lament for a lost love, but it's so much more than that. Let's dive in and see what we can uncover.
The Title
First of all, let's talk about the title. Threnody is not a word that's commonly used in everyday conversation, so it's worth taking a moment to consider what it means. A threnody is a song or poem that's written to mourn the dead, so right away we know that we're dealing with something heavy and somber. The title sets the tone for the entire poem, letting us know that we're in for a mournful journey.
The Structure
Threnody is a short poem, only 12 lines long, but it packs a punch. It's written in free verse, which means that there's no set rhyme or meter, but there is still a sense of structure to the poem. Each line is short and to the point, with a clear image or idea being conveyed in each one. The brevity of the poem gives it a sense of urgency and intensity, like the speaker is struggling to contain their emotions.
The Tone
From the very first line, we can tell that Threnody is a poem that's dripping with emotion. The speaker begins by addressing their lost love directly, saying "I'm wearing black / mourning for my life." The use of the word "mourning" here is particularly powerful, as it ties in with the title of the poem and sets the tone for the rest of the piece. The speaker is grieving deeply, and the black clothing they're wearing is a physical manifestation of that grief.
The tone of the poem is one of sadness and regret, with the speaker looking back on their relationship and lamenting what they've lost. They say, "You were my life, my once-in-a-lifetime," which emphasizes the depth of their feelings for their lost love. The use of the phrase "once-in-a-lifetime" suggests that the speaker doesn't believe they'll ever find another love like this one, which adds to the sense of despair.
The Imagery
One of the most striking things about Threnody is the imagery that Parker uses to convey the speaker's emotions. The first two lines of the poem, for example, paint a vivid picture of the speaker's mourning:
I'm wearing black mourning for my life
These lines create an image of the speaker dressed in all black, like a mourning widow at a funeral. The use of the word "mourning" in the second line reinforces this image, and the phrase "for my life" suggests that the speaker feels like they've lost something essential to their being.
Later in the poem, Parker uses more animalistic imagery to describe the speaker's emotions. They say, "The sea has fish / the night has stars," which suggests that there are things in the world that are constant and unchanging. But the speaker's emotions are portrayed as more primal and unpredictable, like a "beast" that's "slavering" and "rampant." This imagery creates a sense of danger and volatility, like the speaker's emotions are too much for them to handle.
The Themes
At its core, Threnody is a poem about loss and grief. The speaker has lost someone they loved deeply, and they're struggling to come to terms with that loss. But there are other themes at play here, too.
One theme that's particularly prominent is the idea of time. The speaker talks about how their love was a "once-in-a-lifetime" experience, which suggests that they don't believe they'll ever find love like that again. This ties into the broader theme of mortality, as the speaker seems to be grappling with the fact that everything in life is fleeting and temporary.
Another theme that's hinted at in the poem is the idea of gender roles and societal expectations. The speaker seems to be a woman, as they mention "the women we become" and talk about their "unpainted" face. There's a sense that the speaker feels like they've been constrained by the expectations placed on them by society, and that their lost love represented a brief moment of freedom and escape from those constraints.
The Interpretation
So what does Threnody all mean? Well, that's up to interpretation, of course. But here's my take:
To me, Threnody is a poem about the intense emotions that come with losing someone you love. The speaker is grieving deeply, and the brevity of the poem underscores the intensity of their emotions. But there's also a sense of resignation to the poem, like the speaker knows that they can't change what's happened and must simply accept it.
At the same time, there's a sense of defiance in the poem. The speaker's emotions are portrayed as wild and unpredictable, like a "beast" that's "rampant." This suggests that the speaker isn't willing to be tamed by their grief, and that they'll continue to feel things deeply even if it's painful.
Finally, there's a sense of longing and regret in the poem. The speaker looks back on their lost love and laments what they've lost. But there's also a sense that the speaker recognizes the beauty and intensity of what they had, even if it's gone now. The final line of the poem, "and I loved you more," reinforces this idea, suggesting that the speaker will always hold their love in their heart, even if they can't be together.
Conclusion
Whew, that was a lot to unpack! Threnody is a short poem, but it's packed with emotion and meaning. From the vivid imagery to the themes of loss and mortality, there's a lot to explore in this piece. But at its core, Threnody is a poem about the intensity of love and grief, and the way that those emotions can shape and define us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Threnody: A Masterpiece of Poetic Expression
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, humor, and satirical writing style. However, her poem "Threnody" is a departure from her usual style, as it is a poignant and emotional elegy that reflects on the pain and sorrow of losing a loved one. The poem is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of grief and mourning in a way that is both powerful and moving.
The poem begins with the speaker addressing the deceased, saying "We are not those who break with thee." This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes the speaker's relationship with the deceased and their shared experience of loss. The use of the word "break" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker and the deceased were once connected, but that connection has been severed by death.
The next stanza of the poem is particularly powerful, as it describes the physical and emotional pain of grief. The speaker says, "We are not those who shed no tear, / But those who mourn with year on year." This line captures the essence of grief, as it acknowledges that tears are shed, but that the pain of loss is ongoing and never truly goes away. The use of the phrase "year on year" emphasizes the longevity of grief, as it suggests that the pain will continue for a long time.
The third stanza of the poem is perhaps the most poignant, as it describes the speaker's longing for the deceased. The speaker says, "We are not those who lightly say / That consolation comes with day." This line acknowledges the common belief that time heals all wounds, but suggests that this is not always the case. The speaker goes on to say, "But those who in the darkness lay / And feel the lonely years delay." This line is particularly powerful, as it captures the sense of isolation and loneliness that often accompanies grief. The use of the word "delay" suggests that time is passing slowly, and that the speaker is struggling to cope with the absence of the deceased.
The final stanza of the poem is a beautiful and moving tribute to the deceased. The speaker says, "We are not those who know no more, / But those who knew thee and adore." This line acknowledges that the deceased is gone, but suggests that their memory lives on in the hearts of those who loved them. The use of the word "adore" is significant, as it suggests that the speaker holds the deceased in high esteem and has a deep respect for them.
Overall, "Threnody" is a masterpiece of poetic expression that captures the essence of grief and mourning in a way that is both powerful and moving. The poem is a testament to Dorothy Parker's skill as a poet, as she is able to convey complex emotions and ideas with a few carefully chosen words. The poem is a reminder that even in the midst of pain and sorrow, there is beauty and meaning to be found in the human experience.
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