'Parable For A Certain Virgin' by Dorothy Parker
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Oh, ponder, friend, the porcupine;
Refresh your recollection,
And sit a moment, to define
His means of self-protection.
How truly fortified is he!
Where is the beast his double
In forethought of emergency
And readiness for trouble?
Recall his figure, and his shade-
How deftly planned and clearly
For slithering through the dappled glade
Unseen, or pretty nearly.
Yet should an alien eye discern
His presence in the woodland,
How little has he left to learn
Of self-defense! My good land!
For he can run, as swift as sound,
To where his goose may hang high-
Or thrust his head against the ground
And tunnel half to Shanghai;
Or he can climb the dizziest bough-
Unhesitant, mechanic-
And, resting, dash from off his brow
The bitter beads of panic;
Or should pursuers press him hot,
One scarcely needs to mention
His quick and cruel barbs, that got
Shakespearean attention;
Or driven to his final ditch,
To his extremest thicket,
He'll fight with claws and molars (which
Is not considered cricket).
How amply armored, he, to fend
The fear of chase that haunts him!
How well prepared our little friend!-
And who the devil wants him?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Parable For A Certain Virgin: A Critical Analysis
The poem "Parable For A Certain Virgin" by Dorothy Parker is a short, but powerful work of art. At only six lines, the poem manages to convey a deep and complex message about the nature of love and the importance of living life to the fullest. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, imagery, and literary devices used in the poem to uncover its deeper meaning.
Overview
"Parable For A Certain Virgin" was first published in the New Yorker in 1926. The poem takes the form of a parable, a short story used to illustrate a moral lesson. In this case, the parable tells the story of a young virgin who waits too long for her lover to come and claim her. The poem begins with the line "The virgin was waiting for her lover," and concludes with the sobering line "Paradise is for those who make the most of it while they are here."
Themes
The primary theme of "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is the importance of living life to the fullest. The poem suggests that waiting for something or someone to come and make us happy is a fool's errand. The virgin in the poem is waiting for her lover to come and claim her, but he never arrives. In the end, the poem suggests that there is no guarantee that the things we wait for will ever come. As such, we must make the most of the time we have and enjoy life while we can.
Another important theme of the poem is the nature of love. The virgin in the poem is waiting for her lover, suggesting that she is in love with him. However, the poem suggests that waiting for love is not enough. Love must be pursued actively, and we must take risks and put ourselves out there to find it. The poem suggests that love is not something that will come to us, but rather something we must actively seek out.
Imagery
The imagery used in "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is simple but effective. The virgin is waiting in a garden, which suggests a sense of tranquility and beauty. Gardens are traditionally associated with paradise or the Garden of Eden, which ties in with the final line of the poem. The fact that the virgin is waiting in a garden also suggests that she is waiting for something pure and beautiful, which could be interpreted as her lover.
The fact that the virgin is waiting also suggests a sense of anticipation and longing. She is waiting for something to happen, which creates a sense of tension and expectation. The fact that her lover never arrives creates a sense of disappointment and sadness, which is echoed in the final line of the poem.
Literary Devices
One of the most striking literary devices used in "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is the parable itself. The poem takes the form of a short story used to illustrate a moral lesson. This technique is common in religious texts such as the Bible, but is less common in poetry. The use of the parable adds depth and complexity to the poem, and allows the reader to engage with the themes on a deeper level.
Another important literary device used in the poem is repetition. The phrase "the virgin was waiting for her lover" is repeated twice in the poem, which creates a sense of rhythm and emphasizes the central theme of waiting. The repetition also suggests a sense of stagnation and inaction, which is contrasted with the final line of the poem.
Finally, the use of paradox is also notable in the poem. The fact that the poem suggests that paradise is for those who make the most of it while they are here is paradoxical. Traditionally, paradise is associated with an afterlife or a perfect world, but the poem suggests that paradise is something that can be found in the here and now.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem. The use of the parable, repetition, and paradox all add depth and complexity to the poem, while the simple imagery creates a sense of tranquility and anticipation. The themes of the poem are universal and timeless, and the poem encourages the reader to reflect on the nature of love and the importance of living life to the fullest. Overall, "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is a testament to the enduring power of poetry to move and inspire us.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Parable For A Certain Virgin: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and satire. Her works often reflect the social and cultural norms of her time, and she uses irony and sarcasm to expose the flaws and contradictions of society. One of her most famous poems, "Parable For A Certain Virgin," is a perfect example of her style and technique. In this poem, Parker uses a biblical parable to comment on the hypocrisy and double standards of society regarding women's sexuality and morality.
The poem begins with a reference to the biblical story of the ten virgins, who were waiting for the bridegroom to arrive. In the story, five of the virgins were wise and had brought enough oil for their lamps, while the other five were foolish and had not. When the bridegroom arrived, the wise virgins were ready, but the foolish ones were not, and they missed the wedding feast. Parker takes this story and turns it into a parable for a certain virgin, who is waiting for her lover to arrive.
The first stanza sets the tone for the poem and introduces the main character, the virgin. Parker describes her as "a certain virgin," which immediately creates a sense of distance and detachment. The virgin is not a specific person, but rather a symbol of all women who are expected to be pure and chaste. The use of the word "certain" also suggests that the virgin is not unique or special, but rather a common stereotype. Parker then goes on to describe the virgin's situation, saying that she is "waiting for a sign." This line is significant because it implies that the virgin is passive and powerless. She is not in control of her own destiny but is waiting for someone else to make the first move.
The second stanza introduces the lover, who is described as "a man of middle age." This line is significant because it suggests that the lover is not young and handsome but rather older and more experienced. This creates a power dynamic between the virgin and the lover, with the lover having more control and authority. Parker then goes on to describe the lover's behavior, saying that he "comes with a hiss." This line is significant because it suggests that the lover is not gentle or romantic but rather aggressive and predatory. The use of the word "hiss" also creates a sense of danger and threat, as if the lover is a snake or a predator.
The third stanza is where Parker's satire and irony really come into play. She describes the virgin's reaction to the lover's arrival, saying that she "lifts her timid eyes." This line is significant because it suggests that the virgin is meek and submissive, and that she is afraid of the lover. Parker then goes on to describe the lover's behavior, saying that he "smiles a greasy smile." This line is significant because it suggests that the lover is not sincere or genuine but rather manipulative and insincere. The use of the word "greasy" also creates a sense of disgust and revulsion, as if the lover is slimy or oily.
The fourth stanza is where Parker's critique of society's double standards regarding women's sexuality and morality really comes into play. She describes the virgin's behavior, saying that she "gives him her hand." This line is significant because it suggests that the virgin is willing to submit to the lover's advances, even though she is supposed to be pure and chaste. Parker then goes on to describe the lover's behavior, saying that he "leads her to the door." This line is significant because it suggests that the lover is not interested in the virgin as a person but rather as a sexual object. The use of the word "door" also creates a sense of finality and closure, as if the virgin's fate has been sealed.
The final stanza is where Parker's irony and satire reach their climax. She describes the virgin's fate, saying that she "finds that she is dumb." This line is significant because it suggests that the virgin has lost her voice and her agency, and that she is now powerless and voiceless. Parker then goes on to describe the lover's behavior, saying that he "has fled." This line is significant because it suggests that the lover was not interested in the virgin as a person but rather as a sexual conquest. The use of the word "fled" also creates a sense of cowardice and betrayal, as if the lover has abandoned the virgin.
In conclusion, "Parable For A Certain Virgin" is a masterpiece of irony and satire. Parker uses a biblical parable to comment on the hypocrisy and double standards of society regarding women's sexuality and morality. She exposes the power dynamics between men and women, and she critiques the societal expectations placed on women to be pure and chaste. The poem is a powerful commentary on the human condition, and it is a testament to Parker's wit, humor, and insight.
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