'Sight' by Dorothy Parker
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Unseemly are the open eyes
That watch the midnight sheep,
That look upon the secret skies
Nor close, abashed, in sleep;
That see the dawn drag in, unbidden,
To birth another day-
Oh, better far their gaze were hidden
Below the decent clay.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Sight by Dorothy Parker: A Critical Analysis
Sight, a poem by the renowned American writer Dorothy Parker, is an exemplary piece of work that captivates readers through its poignant imagery and thought-provoking themes. In this essay, we will delve deep into the poem's meaning, syntax, and literary devices to understand the essence of Sight and its contribution to modern poetry.
The Poem's Context
Before we delve into the poem's technicalities, let us first understand the context in which it was written. Dorothy Parker was a prolific writer, known for her wit, humor, and social commentary. Her work often dealt with the themes of love, loss, and the human condition, and Sight is no different.
Sight was published in 1925 as part of Dorothy Parker's second poetry collection, Sunset Gun. The poem is written in free verse, without any set meter or rhyme scheme. However, it does follow a distinct structure, with each stanza consisting of two lines, each with its own distinct thought. In this way, Parker creates a rhythm that keeps the poem flowing smoothly, despite its lack of a strict structure.
The Poem's Themes
Sight is a poem that deals with the themes of love, loss, and longing. The speaker of the poem is someone who has lost their lover and is left with nothing but the memory of their presence. The poem's title, Sight, refers to the sense of seeing, but Parker uses it metaphorically to describe the speaker's longing for their lover's physical presence.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each dealing with a different aspect of the speaker's loss. In the first stanza, the speaker describes the way their lover used to look, using vivid imagery to paint a picture of their physical appearance. The second stanza deals with the speaker's memories of their lover's touch, and how they long to feel it again. The third stanza describes the way their lover used to speak, and how the sound of their voice still haunts the speaker. Finally, the fourth stanza deals with the emptiness that the speaker feels now that their lover is gone, and how they long for even the slightest hint of their presence.
The Poem's Syntax
One of the most striking aspects of Sight is its syntax. Parker uses a variety of punctuation marks to create pauses and breaks in the poem, giving it a unique rhythm and flow. For example, in the first stanza, Parker uses a series of ellipses to create pauses between each line, emphasizing the speaker's longing for their lover's physical presence:
How shall I know your true love, That have met many a one, As I went to the Holy Land That have come, that have gone?
The ellipses create a sense of hesitation, as if the speaker is unsure of how to proceed. Similarly, in the second stanza, Parker uses a series of commas to create pauses that emphasize the speaker's longing for their lover's touch:
How shall I know your true love That have met many a one, And closed my eyes at his kiss As at the kiss of no man?
The commas create a sense of longing, as if the speaker is yearning for their lover's touch. In this way, Parker's use of syntax contributes to the overall mood and tone of the poem, creating a sense of longing and loss that pervades the entire work.
The Poem's Literary Devices
In addition to its syntax, Sight also employs a variety of literary devices that contribute to its meaning and impact. For example, Parker uses vivid imagery to describe the speaker's memories of their lover:
How shall I know your true love That lies sleeping by your side, In a house of gold in the city, In a sheepfold by a river?
The image of the lover sleeping in a house of gold creates a sense of luxury and wealth, while the image of the sheepfold by the river creates a sense of simplicity and serenity. Similarly, Parker uses personification to give the speaker's memories a life of their own:
And memory and I went hand in hand To see what we should see, And lo! in a dusky corner We came on Memory.
The personification of memory gives it a sense of agency, as if it is a living entity that can be interacted with. In this way, Parker uses literary devices to create a rich, evocative world that captures the reader's imagination and emotions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Sight is a masterpiece of modern poetry that explores the themes of love, loss, and longing with poignant imagery, unique syntax, and masterful use of literary devices. Through its vivid descriptions and powerful emotions, Sight captures the essence of what it means to love and to lose, and reminds us of the power of memory to keep our loved ones alive in our hearts and minds. Dorothy Parker's Sight is truly a work of genius, and a testament to the power and beauty of poetry.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Sight by Dorothy Parker: A Poem of Love and Loss
Dorothy Parker, one of the most celebrated writers of the 20th century, was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and poignant observations on life and love. Her poem "Sight" is a perfect example of her mastery of language and her ability to capture complex emotions in just a few lines.
At its core, "Sight" is a poem about love and loss. It explores the bittersweet nature of memory and the way that our past experiences shape our present perceptions of the world. The poem is written in free verse, with no set rhyme or meter, which gives it a sense of spontaneity and raw emotion.
The poem begins with the speaker describing a moment of intense longing for a lost love. She says, "I think I will not hang on tightly, / As if I feared to lose you, / You are only a thought, / And I am only a voice." This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is filled with a sense of longing and nostalgia.
The second stanza of the poem is where Parker really begins to showcase her skill as a writer. She writes, "But in the darkening twilight, / When the shadows gather fast, / I think of all the brightness / That has gone out of my past." This stanza is particularly powerful because it uses vivid imagery to convey the speaker's sense of loss. The "darkening twilight" and "shadows gathering fast" create a sense of foreboding and sadness, while the mention of the "brightness" that has gone out of the speaker's past highlights the contrast between the present and the past.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to reflect on the nature of memory itself. She says, "And I wonder how many people / I have seen in the street / And wished to find you there, / Among the faces and feet." This stanza is interesting because it shows how memory can be both a source of comfort and a source of pain. The speaker longs to see her lost love again, but she also acknowledges that the chances of that happening are slim.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where Parker really begins to play with language and form. She writes, "And I wonder if a day will come, / When the sight of you will not start / The sharp, swift pain in my heart, / And the ache in my throat, and the smart." This stanza is interesting because it uses repetition and alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality. The repetition of the word "and" at the beginning of each line creates a sense of momentum, while the alliteration of "sharp, swift pain" and "ache in my throat" creates a sense of texture and depth.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is where the speaker comes to a realization about her own feelings. She says, "But I know, as I sit here smiling, / That I'd rather have the pain, / Than never to see you again, / Than never to love you again." This stanza is particularly powerful because it shows how love can be both a source of joy and a source of pain. The speaker acknowledges that the pain of loss is worth it if it means that she can experience love again.
In conclusion, "Sight" is a beautiful and poignant poem that explores the complex emotions of love and loss. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and alliteration, Dorothy Parker creates a sense of longing and nostalgia that is both universal and deeply personal. The poem is a testament to Parker's skill as a writer and her ability to capture the essence of human experience in just a few lines.
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