'Bric-A-Brac' by Dorothy Parker
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Little things that no one needs --
Little things to joke about --
Little landscapes, done in beads.
Little morals, woven out,
Little wreaths of gilded grass,
Little brigs of whittled oak
Bottled painfully in glass;
These are made by lonely folk.
Lonely folk have lines of days
Long and faltering and thin;
Therefore -- little wax bouquets,
Prayers cut upon a pin,
Little maps of pinkish lands,
Little charts of curly seas,
Little plats of linen strands,
Little verses, such as these.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Bric-A-Brac: An Exquisite Display of Dorothy Parker's Wit and Humor
Bric-A-Brac, a classic poem by Dorothy Parker, is a masterpiece of wit and humor. The poem showcases Parker's mastery of language, as she weaves together seemingly disparate ideas and images to create a rich tapestry of meaning. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used in Bric-A-Brac and their relevance to the poem's meaning.
The Poet's Perspective
Before delving into the poem itself, it is important to understand the poet's perspective. Dorothy Parker was a writer, poet, and critic who lived in the early 20th century. She was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and skepticism of societal norms. Throughout her career, Parker used her writing to challenge conventional wisdom and poke fun at the absurdities of the world around her.
Bric-A-Brac is no exception. The poem is a satirical commentary on the excesses of consumer culture and the superficiality of modern life. Parker uses a variety of literary devices to convey her message, including metaphor, irony, and allusion. Through these devices, she creates a vivid and compelling portrait of a world that is at once absurd and tragic.
The Poem
Bric-A-Brac is a relatively short poem, consisting of just eight lines. However, within those eight lines, Parker manages to pack in a wealth of meaning and imagery. The poem reads:
Little things that no one needs—
Little things to joke about—
Little landscapes, done in beads—
Little morals, woven out,
Little wreaths of gilded grass,
Little brigs of whittled oak
Battleships of turned-porcelain,
That pass—but do not speak—nor smoke.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a simple catalog of various objects and images. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes clear that each item in the list is carefully chosen for its symbolic significance. Let's take a closer look at each of the items in the list and what they represent.
Little Things That No One Needs
The first line of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the piece. Parker starts with a simple statement that is both ironic and cutting. By referring to these objects as "little things that no one needs," she is highlighting the absurdity of consumer culture. In a world where people are constantly bombarded with messages telling them what they need and why they need it, Parker is reminding us that much of what we consume is unnecessary and ultimately unfulfilling.
Little Things to Joke About
The second line of the poem continues the theme of irony and satire. Parker suggests that these "little things" are not only unnecessary but also ridiculous. By framing them as objects to joke about, she is mocking the very idea of consumer culture. She is reminding us that the things we buy and consume are often absurd and meaningless, and that we should be wary of taking them too seriously.
Little Landscapes, Done in Beads
The third line of the poem introduces the first concrete image. Parker describes "little landscapes, done in beads," which conjures up images of the kind of trinkets that one might find in a souvenir shop. The use of beads adds a touch of whimsy to the image, but at the same time, it also suggests that these objects are cheap and disposable. By focusing on the smallness and insignificance of these landscapes, Parker is once again highlighting the superficiality of consumer culture.
Little Morals, Woven Out
The fourth line of the poem introduces the idea of morals. Parker suggests that these "little morals" are woven out, perhaps implying that they are something that is manufactured rather than something that is earned or acquired through experience. By framing morals as something that can be woven, Parker is also highlighting the artificiality of morality in a world that often values appearances over substance.
Little Wreaths of Gilded Grass
The fifth line of the poem introduces another concrete image, that of "little wreaths of gilded grass." The use of gilded grass adds a touch of absurdity to the image, but at the same time, it also suggests that these wreaths are meant to be decorative rather than functional. By focusing on the ornamental nature of these wreaths, Parker is once again highlighting the superficiality of consumer culture.
Little Brigs of Whittled Oak
The sixth line of the poem introduces the image of "little brigs of whittled oak." A brig is a type of ship, and the use of whittled oak suggests that these ships are small and perhaps even toy-like. By framing these ships as "little," Parker is once again highlighting the insignificance of consumer culture. However, the use of the image of a ship also adds a sense of adventure and possibility, suggesting that there is more to life than the material objects that we consume.
Battleships of Turned-Porcelain
The seventh line of the poem introduces another image of a ship, this time a battleship made of turned-porcelain. The use of porcelain adds a touch of fragility to the image, but at the same time, it also suggests that these battleships are meant to be decorative rather than functional. By framing battleships as objects of ornamentation, Parker is once again highlighting the superficiality of consumer culture.
That Pass—But Do Not Speak—Nor Smoke
The final line of the poem is perhaps the most poignant. Parker suggests that all of these objects "pass—but do not speak—nor smoke." This implies that these objects are ultimately meaningless and unfulfilling. They may look pretty or amusing, but they do not provide any real value or satisfaction. By ending the poem with this line, Parker is reminding us that there is more to life than the things we consume, and that true fulfillment comes from something deeper and more meaningful.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Bric-A-Brac is a masterful work of satire and social commentary. Through her use of metaphor, irony, and allusion, Dorothy Parker creates a vivid and compelling portrait of a world that is at once absurd and tragic. She reminds us that the things we consume are often unnecessary and unfulfilling, and that true satisfaction comes from something deeper and more meaningful. Bric-A-Brac is a timeless work of poetry that continues to resonate with readers today.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Bric-A-Brac: A Masterpiece of Satirical Poetry
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit and satirical writing style. Her poem "Bric-A-Brac" is a perfect example of her mastery of satire and her ability to use humor to comment on the absurdities of society.
The poem, which was first published in 1920, is a commentary on the obsession with material possessions and the superficiality of modern society. It is a scathing critique of the consumer culture that was emerging in the early 20th century, and it remains relevant today as we continue to grapple with the same issues.
The poem begins with a description of a room filled with "bric-a-brac," or decorative objects that serve no real purpose other than to be admired. The speaker describes the objects in detail, noting their beauty and intricacy, but also their uselessness. She notes that they are "things you buy because you are mad at yourself for buying too many things."
This opening stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a series of witty observations on the absurdity of consumer culture. The speaker notes that the objects in the room are "things you never use," and that they are "things you never need." She points out that they are "things you never knew you wanted until you saw them," and that they are "things you will never miss when they are gone."
The poem is full of clever wordplay and ironic twists. The speaker notes that the objects in the room are "things you dust with a glove," implying that they are too delicate and precious to be touched with bare hands. She also notes that they are "things you keep in a drawer," suggesting that they are hidden away and forgotten.
The poem takes a darker turn in the final stanza, as the speaker reflects on the emptiness of a life consumed by material possessions. She notes that the objects in the room are "things that make you forget," and that they are "things that make you remember." She suggests that they are a distraction from the real issues in life, and that they offer only a fleeting sense of satisfaction.
The final lines of the poem are particularly powerful: "And when you are through with them / And you take them to the dump / You'll wonder why you ever thought / They would make your heart jump."
These lines are a reminder that material possessions are ultimately meaningless, and that they cannot bring true happiness or fulfillment. The poem is a call to reject the consumer culture that values things over people, and to focus on the things that truly matter in life.
In conclusion, "Bric-A-Brac" is a masterpiece of satirical poetry that offers a scathing critique of consumer culture and the obsession with material possessions. Dorothy Parker's clever wordplay and ironic twists make the poem both entertaining and thought-provoking, and its message remains relevant today. It is a reminder that true happiness and fulfillment cannot be found in things, but in the relationships and experiences that give our lives meaning.
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