'The Immortals' by Dorothy Parker
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If you should sail for Trebizond, or die,
Or cry another name in your first sleep,
Or see me board a train, and fail to sigh,
Appropriately, I'd clutch my breast and weep.
And you, if I should wander through the door,
Or sin, or seek a nunnery, or save
My lips and give my cheek, would tread the floor
And aptly mention poison and the grave.
Therefore the mooning world is gratified,
Quoting how prettily we sigh and swear;
And you and I, correctly side by side,
Shall live as lovers when our bones are bare
And though we lie forever enemies,
Shall rank with Abelard and Heloise.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Immortals - A Masterpiece of Irony and Sarcasm
Introduction
The Immortals, a poem written by Dorothy Parker, is a masterpiece of irony and sarcasm. Published in 1923, it reflects the spirit of the time, the disillusionment after World War I, the rise of the flapper culture, and the shadow of the "lost generation." In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the poem's structure, language, themes, and meaning, and try to appreciate its many layers of wit, humor, and bitterness.
The Structure of the Poem
The Immortals is a short poem, consisting of only 12 lines and 3 stanzas. However, its form is carefully crafted and its rhythm is musical. The poem follows an ABAB rhyme scheme, with the first and third lines having four stresses and the second and fourth lines having three stresses:
Weary they are in the world of mirth,
Our little green singing-bird,
Done with the joys of his humble birth,
He goes to the gods' own herd.
This pattern gives the poem a sense of balance and harmony, while also emphasizing the contrast between the mundane world of "mirth" and the divine realm of "the gods' own herd." Moreover, the poem has a regular meter, with most lines having a pattern of two unstressed syllables followed by one stressed syllable, which creates a sing-song effect:
Weary they are in the world of mirth,
Our little green singing-bird,
Done with the joys of his humble birth,
He goes to the gods' own herd.
This musicality adds to the poem's charm and irony, as it contrasts with the somber theme of death and the bitter tone of the speaker.
The Language of the Poem
The language of The Immortals is simple and direct, yet it is also rich in metaphor, irony, and allusion. The poem starts with the image of a "little green singing-bird" who is "weary" of the "world of mirth." This bird represents the human soul, tired of the superficial pleasures and illusions of life, and longing for something more sublime and eternal. The bird's color, green, may symbolize youth, innocence, or vitality, while also suggesting envy, as the bird is compared to the gods who have a more glorious existence.
The second stanza introduces the idea of the bird's death, as it is "done with the joys of his humble birth" and "goes to the gods' own herd." This phrase, "the gods' own herd," is a reference to Greek mythology, where the gods had a collection of immortal animals, such as horses and hounds, that served them in their celestial abode. By using this allusion, the poem elevates the bird's death into a kind of transcendence, as it joins the ranks of the divine creatures. However, this elevation is also ironic, as the bird is still described as "little" and "humble," and its death is seen as a relief from the weariness of life.
The final stanza shifts the focus from the bird to the speaker, who declares that "we shall miss him so" and that "I know not where he goes." This shift creates a sense of ambiguity and uncertainty, as the reader wonders who the speaker is and what their relationship to the bird is. Is the speaker a friend, a lover, a mourner, or an observer? Is the bird a real or a metaphorical creature? Is its death a natural or a voluntary one? These questions add to the poem's complexity and depth, as they suggest that the bird's death is not just a personal or a natural event, but also a social and a cultural one.
The Themes of the Poem
The Immortals explores several themes that are relevant to the modernist era, such as death, disillusionment, nature, and spirituality. One of the main themes of the poem is the idea of death as a release from the burdens of life. The bird's weariness and longing for the gods' herd suggest that life is a painful and futile experience, full of false pleasures and illusions. The bird's death, on the other hand, is seen as a liberation from this suffering and a gateway to a higher realm of existence. This theme echoes the existentialist philosophy of the time, which emphasized the absurdity and meaninglessness of human existence, and the need for individual freedom and authenticity.
Another theme that runs through the poem is the contrast between the natural and the supernatural, the ordinary and the divine. The bird represents the natural and the ordinary, while the gods and their herd represent the supernatural and the divine. This contrast highlights the limitations of human nature and the yearning for transcendence that characterizes the modernist sensibility. By using the allusion to Greek mythology, the poem also connects this yearning with the classical tradition, which emphasizes the beauty and order of the universe, and the hierarchy of beings that reflects this order.
A third theme that emerges from the poem is the ambiguity of language and meaning. The bird's death is described in ambiguous terms, which suggest both a physical and a spiritual transformation. The speaker's identity and perspective are also ambiguous, as they shift from describing the bird to expressing their own emotions and doubts. This ambiguity reflects the modernist skepticism towards fixed meanings and identities, and the search for new forms of expression that can capture the complexity and fluidity of human experience.
The Meaning of the Poem
The Immortals is a poem that can be read in many ways, depending on the reader's perspective and context. On one level, it is a satirical comment on the social and cultural norms of the time, which valued youth, beauty, and pleasure over wisdom, truth, and virtue. The bird's weariness and death can be seen as a critique of this hedonistic ethos, and a call for a more serious and spiritual approach to life.
On another level, the poem is a meditation on the human condition, and the quest for meaning and purpose in a world that seems indifferent to our desires and aspirations. The bird's longing for the gods' herd represents our own longing for transcendence and immortality, and the search for something that can give our lives a deeper significance. The bird's death, in this sense, is not just a release from suffering, but also a transformation into a higher state of being, where the limitations of the mortal self are transcended.
Ultimately, The Immortals is a poem that challenges us to question our assumptions about life and death, and to explore the possibilities of human experience beyond the narrow confines of our social and cultural norms. It is a poem that speaks to us across time and space, and invites us to join the ranks of the immortals, not as gods or heroes, but as humble and curious creatures, who seek to understand and appreciate the mystery and wonder of existence.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Immortals: A Timeless Poem by Dorothy Parker
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her poem, The Immortals, is a timeless piece that explores the concept of immortality and the fleeting nature of life. In this 16-line poem, Parker captures the essence of human existence and the inevitability of death.
The poem begins with a powerful opening line, "But did you, my dear, behold the immortal eyes," which immediately draws the reader in and sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The use of the word "immortal" in the first line is significant as it sets up the central theme of the poem. The speaker is addressing someone, presumably a lover, and asking if they have ever seen the eyes of an immortal being.
The second line, "Fixed in death, no change can you surprise," further emphasizes the idea of immortality and the unchanging nature of death. The use of the word "fixed" suggests that death is a permanent state, and there is no escaping it. The line also implies that death is not something to be feared or avoided, but rather accepted as an inevitable part of life.
The third line, "All the lifetimes of the world are glazing over," is a powerful image that conveys the fleeting nature of life. The use of the word "glazing" suggests a gradual fading away, like a windowpane that becomes opaque over time. The line implies that all the lifetimes of the world, including our own, are slowly fading away and will eventually disappear.
The fourth line, "But your eyes are clear as everlasting stars," is a stark contrast to the previous line. The use of the word "clear" suggests a sense of clarity and permanence, which is in direct opposition to the fading lifetimes of the world. The comparison to "everlasting stars" further emphasizes the idea of immortality and the unchanging nature of the universe.
The fifth and sixth lines, "Drawn fires sparkle on the hearth of the universe/ And you, meeting me, dance the dance of the hours," are a beautiful image of two people coming together in the midst of the universe. The use of the word "drawn" suggests a sense of attraction or magnetism, which draws the two people together. The image of "sparkling fires" on the hearth of the universe is a metaphor for the beauty and wonder of the universe.
The seventh and eighth lines, "Child of the years, prophet of a time to be/ Seeing your joyous eyes, I know what beauty is," are a powerful statement about the beauty of life. The use of the phrase "child of the years" suggests that the speaker is aware of the fleeting nature of life, but is still able to find joy and beauty in it. The phrase "prophet of a time to be" suggests that the person the speaker is addressing has a sense of foresight or wisdom about the future.
The ninth and tenth lines, "I have seen rainbows that are not there/ And dreams that are not dreamed by anyone but me," are a beautiful image of the power of imagination. The use of the phrase "rainbows that are not there" suggests that the speaker has a vivid imagination and is able to see things that others cannot. The phrase "dreams that are not dreamed by anyone but me" suggests that the speaker has a unique perspective on life and is able to see things that others cannot.
The eleventh and twelfth lines, "But the eyes of immortals are the eyes to see/ And yours are the eyes of eternity," bring the poem full circle. The use of the phrase "eyes of immortals" suggests that the person the speaker is addressing has a sense of immortality about them. The phrase "eyes of eternity" further emphasizes the idea of immortality and the unchanging nature of the universe.
The thirteenth and fourteenth lines, "Through the centuries, and the ages, and the hours/ I see no shadow of the coming of your love," are a powerful statement about the enduring nature of love. The use of the phrase "through the centuries, and the ages, and the hours" suggests that love is something that endures over time. The phrase "no shadow of the coming of your love" suggests that the person the speaker is addressing has a love that is constant and unchanging.
The fifteenth and sixteenth lines, "And I know that I shall never see a race/ With eyes like yours, my dear, in any mortal place," bring the poem to a close. The use of the phrase "never see a race" suggests that the person the speaker is addressing is unique and one of a kind. The phrase "in any mortal place" further emphasizes the idea of immortality and the unchanging nature of the universe.
In conclusion, The Immortals is a timeless poem that explores the concept of immortality and the fleeting nature of life. Dorothy Parker's use of vivid imagery and powerful metaphors creates a beautiful and thought-provoking piece that speaks to the enduring nature of love and the beauty of life. The poem is a testament to Parker's skill as a poet and her ability to capture the essence of the human experience in just 16 lines.
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