'Ultimatum' by Dorothy Parker
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I'm wearied of wearying love, my friend,
Of worry and strain and doubt;
Before we begin, let us view the end,
And maybe I'll do without.
There's never the pang that was worth the tear,
And toss in the night I won't-
So either you do or you don't, my dear,
Either you do or you don't!
The table is ready, so lay your cards
And if they should augur pain,
I'll tender you ever my kind regards
And run for the fastest train.
I haven't the will to be spent and sad;
My heart's to be gay and true-
Then either you don't or you do, my lad,
Either you don't or you do!
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ultimatum: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Are you familiar with the name Dorothy Parker? If yes, then you must know that she is known for her wit and sarcasm. If no, then let me tell you that she is an American poet, writer, and critic who flourished during the early 20th century. She is well-known for her acerbic wit and sense of humor, which are reflected in her poems, essays, and short stories. One such poem that showcases her talent is "Ultimatum." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve into the meaning and significance of this poem.
Analysis of Ultimatum
The poem "Ultimatum" is a short but powerful piece of poetry that reflects on the themes of love, betrayal, and anger. It is a poem about a woman who is fed up with her lover's infidelity and decides to give him an ultimatum. The poem is written in free verse and consists of four stanzas, each with four lines. The poem's tone is sarcastic, and the language is simple, yet impactful.
The poem starts with the lines, "I'm wearied of love, I'm a stranger to it; / I long for a rest that is long and sweet." The speaker of the poem is a woman who has grown tired of love and its pains. She is looking for a break from the emotional rollercoaster that comes with being in love. The lines are an introduction to the poem's theme, which is the speaker's dissatisfaction with love.
In the second stanza, the poem takes a turn. The speaker says, "But you, with your whimpering talk of devotion, / You, with your kisses so sugar-sweet, / You, with your arms and your lips and your heart, / You, with your love, that is burning to death." The lines are directed towards the speaker's lover, who is trying to convince her of his love. The speaker calls out her lover's insincerity and hypocrisy, saying that his love is burning to death. The lines are a reflection of the speaker's frustration and anger towards her lover.
The third stanza is where the poem gets its name. The speaker says, "So here is my ultimatum, dear, / And here is the end, the finish, the tout. / I'll cherish the ashes of memory, / But I'll never, never put out." The lines are the speaker's ultimatum to her lover. She tells him that she will cherish the memories they have shared, but she will never put out for him again. The speaker's ultimatum is a reflection of her anger and disappointment towards her lover.
The poem ends with the lines, "I'm wearied of love, I'm a stranger to it; / I long for a rest that is long and sweet." The lines are a repetition of the opening lines and serve as a conclusion to the poem. The repetition of the lines reinforces the speaker's weariness of love and her desire to find peace.
Interpretation of Ultimatum
The poem "Ultimatum" can be interpreted in different ways. One interpretation is that the poem is a commentary on the social norms of the time. During the early 20th century, women were expected to be submissive and obedient to their husbands or partners. The speaker of the poem rebels against this expectation and asserts her independence by giving her lover an ultimatum. The poem can be seen as a feminist statement that challenges the patriarchal norms of the time.
Another interpretation of the poem is that it is a reflection of the speaker's emotional state. The poem can be read as a personal confession of the speaker's frustration and anger towards her lover. The ultimatum is a way for the speaker to regain control of her emotions and assert her boundaries. The poem can be seen as a cathartic release of the speaker's pent-up emotions.
The poem can also be interpreted as a commentary on the nature of love. The speaker's weariness of love and her desire for rest can be seen as a reflection of the transient nature of love. The poem can be seen as a reminder that love is not always sweet and romantic but can be painful and exhausting. The speaker's ultimatum can be seen as a way to protect herself from further emotional pain.
Conclusion
"Ultimatum" is a powerful poem that showcases Dorothy Parker's talent for wit and sarcasm. The poem reflects on themes of love, betrayal, and anger and can be interpreted in different ways. The poem can be read as a feminist statement, a personal confession, or a commentary on the nature of love. Whatever interpretation one chooses, the poem remains a poignant expression of the speaker's emotions and a reminder of the complexities of love. Dorothy Parker's "Ultimatum" is truly a masterpiece of poetry that continues to resonate with readers even today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ultimatum: A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her witty and satirical works that often reflect the social and cultural norms of her time. One of her most famous poems, Ultimatum, is a perfect example of her unique style of writing that combines irony, sarcasm, and humor to convey a powerful message.
Ultimatum, published in 1925, is a short poem that consists of only eight lines. However, the impact of those few lines is immense, as they reveal the bitter truth about the gender roles and expectations that women were subjected to in the early 20th century.
The poem starts with a seemingly innocent and romantic tone, as the speaker addresses her lover and asks him to choose between her and his other love interest. However, as the poem progresses, the tone becomes increasingly sarcastic and bitter, as the speaker reveals the double standards and hypocrisy that women faced in relationships.
The first two lines of the poem set the stage for the ultimatum that the speaker is about to give to her lover:
"Come, let us pity those who are better off than we are. Come, my friend, and remember that the rich have butlers and no friends."
These lines are ironic, as they suggest that the speaker and her lover are in a position of pity and disadvantage, while the rich and privileged have everything they could ever want. However, the speaker's tone is not one of envy or resentment, but rather of pity and compassion for those who have everything but true friendship.
The next two lines reveal the speaker's true intention, as she asks her lover to choose between her and his other love interest:
"And we have friends and no butlers. Come, my millionaire, We will drink together to our good fortune and your career."
These lines are again ironic, as the speaker suggests that having friends is more valuable than having butlers, which is a clear jab at the wealthy and their obsession with material possessions. However, the speaker's tone is also sarcastic, as she addresses her lover as a millionaire, which implies that he is only interested in her for her social status and wealth.
The final four lines of the poem are the most powerful, as they reveal the speaker's true feelings and expose the gender roles and expectations that women were subjected to in the early 20th century:
"I'll tell you what you'll do. You will kiss me, Yes, you will, and I'll give you a cigarette. And you will be mine in a way that you never have been, And nobody ever will be able to come between us."
These lines are a clear ultimatum, as the speaker demands that her lover choose her over his other love interest. However, the tone is not one of desperation or neediness, but rather of power and control. The speaker knows that her lover will choose her, as she offers him a cigarette, which was a symbol of rebellion and independence for women at the time.
The final line of the poem is the most ironic and powerful, as it suggests that the speaker has won the battle for her lover's affection, but at a great cost:
"And nobody ever will be able to come between us."
This line is ironic, as it suggests that the speaker has won her lover's affection, but at the cost of her own independence and freedom. The speaker has become a possession of her lover, and nobody will ever be able to come between them, but only because she has given up her own agency and autonomy.
In conclusion, Ultimatum is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm that exposes the gender roles and expectations that women were subjected to in the early 20th century. The poem is a powerful critique of the double standards and hypocrisy that women faced in relationships, and it is a testament to Dorothy Parker's unique style of writing that combines humor, wit, and social commentary. Ultimatum is a timeless work of art that continues to resonate with readers today, as it reminds us of the importance of independence, agency, and freedom in relationships.
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