'Men' by Dorothy Parker
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They hail you as their morning star
Because you are the way you are.
If you return the sentiment,
They'll try to make you different;
And once they have you, safe and sound,
They want to change you all around.
Your moods and ways they put a curse on;
They'd make of you another person.
They cannot let you go your gait;
They influence and educate.
They'd alter all that they admired.
They make me sick, they make me tired.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Men by Dorothy Parker: A Criticism and Interpretation
Are you tired of reading poems that idealize men as strong, heroic figures? Do you long for a poem that portrays men as they really are, flawed and insecure? Look no further than Dorothy Parker's poem, "Men." In just 16 lines, Parker captures the complexity of the male psyche, exploring their fears, desires, and shortcomings.
The Poem
Before delving into an analysis of the poem, let's read it in its entirety:
Men
They hail you as their morning star Because you are the way you are. If you return the sentiment, They'll try to make you different; And once they have you, safe and sound, They want to change you all around. Your moods and ways they put a curse on; They'd make of you another person. They cannot let you go your gait; They influence and educate. They'd alter all that they admired. They make me sick, they make me tired.
At first glance, "Men" appears to be a simple poem about the fickle nature of men. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes apparent that Parker is critiquing the societal expectations placed on men and their subsequent attempts to control and mold women into their idealized versions.
Analysis
Let's break down the poem stanza by stanza to get a better understanding of Parker's message.
Stanza 1
"They hail you as their morning star Because you are the way you are. If you return the sentiment, They'll try to make you different."
In the first stanza, Parker sets the tone for the rest of the poem by highlighting the initial admiration men have for women. They see them as a shining star, perfect in their natural state. However, as soon as women reciprocate that admiration, men seek to change them. This underscores the idea that men only want women who fit into their predetermined mold, rather than embracing their individuality.
Stanza 2
"And once they have you, safe and sound, They want to change you all around. Your moods and ways they put a curse on; They'd make of you another person."
In the second stanza, Parker takes it a step further by showing how men attempt to control and change women once they have them in their grasp. The use of the phrase "safe and sound" implies that women are only safe when they are with men, but once they are, they are subjected to a barrage of attempted alterations. Men view women's natural tendencies and emotions as a curse, and seek to suppress them in order to create their ideal partner.
Stanza 3
"They cannot let you go your gait; They influence and educate. They'd alter all that they admired. They make me sick, they make me tired."
In the final stanza, Parker summarizes her critique of men by stating that they are incapable of allowing women to be themselves. Men feel the need to teach and change women, even if it means altering the very traits they once admired. Parker's use of the phrase "go your gait" emphasizes the idea that men view women as creatures to be trained and controlled. The last line, "They make me sick, they make me tired," is a clear condemnation of men's behavior towards women.
Interpretation
Parker's poem can be interpreted in a few different ways, but the most obvious one is that she is critiquing the patriarchal society that places unrealistic expectations on men and women. Men are expected to be strong, dominant, and in control, while women are expected to be meek, submissive, and obedient. Parker challenges this idea by showing the negative consequences of trying to fit into these predetermined roles.
Another interpretation is that Parker is critiquing the traditional male-female dynamic, where men are seen as the providers and protectors, and women are seen as the weaker sex. Parker challenges this by highlighting the fact that men can be just as flawed and insecure as women, and that they are not entitled to control and change women to fit their idealized version of femininity.
Conclusion
In "Men," Dorothy Parker presents a scathing critique of men's behavior towards women. She shows how men attempt to control and change women to fit into their predetermined mold, and how this behavior is not only detrimental to women but also to men. Parker challenges traditional patriarchal roles and expectations and calls for a more open and accepting society. Her message is just as relevant today as it was when she wrote the poem in the early 20th century, making "Men" a timeless piece of literature.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
The Timeless Appeal of Dorothy Parker's "Men"
Dorothy Parker was a writer, poet, and critic who rose to fame in the early 20th century. Her wit, humor, and sharp observations of human behavior made her one of the most popular writers of her time. One of her most famous poems, "Men," is a satirical take on the male gender. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices.
The Poem's Meaning
"Men" is a poem that explores the different types of men that Parker has encountered in her life. The poem is divided into three stanzas, each of which describes a different type of man. The first stanza describes the "men" who are always trying to impress women with their wealth and status. These men are portrayed as shallow and materialistic, with no real substance or depth.
The second stanza describes the "men" who are always trying to control women. These men are portrayed as manipulative and domineering, using their power to keep women in their place. Parker's use of the word "master" in this stanza is particularly powerful, as it suggests that these men see women as nothing more than objects to be controlled.
The third and final stanza describes the "men" who are emotionally distant and unavailable. These men are portrayed as cold and unfeeling, unable to connect with women on an emotional level. Parker's use of the word "dead" in this stanza is particularly poignant, as it suggests that these men are not truly alive in the emotional sense.
Overall, "Men" is a scathing critique of the male gender, highlighting the different ways in which men can be problematic and harmful to women. Parker's use of satire and irony is particularly effective in conveying her message, as it allows her to criticize men while also making the reader laugh.
The Poem's Structure
"Men" is a short poem, consisting of only three stanzas. Each stanza is four lines long, with a simple ABAB rhyme scheme. The poem's structure is simple and straightforward, which allows Parker's message to come through clearly and effectively.
The poem's brevity is also significant, as it suggests that Parker's critique of men is so powerful that it doesn't need to be elaborated on at length. The poem's simplicity and directness make it accessible to a wide audience, and its message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written.
Literary Devices
Parker's use of literary devices is one of the things that makes "Men" such a powerful poem. Here are some of the most notable literary devices used in the poem:
Satire
Satire is a literary device that uses humor, irony, and exaggeration to criticize human behavior and society. "Men" is a satirical poem, as it uses humor and irony to criticize the male gender. Parker's use of satire allows her to criticize men while also making the reader laugh, which makes her message more accessible and memorable.
Irony
Irony is a literary device that involves saying one thing but meaning another. "Men" is full of irony, as Parker uses it to highlight the difference between what men say and what they actually mean. For example, in the first stanza, Parker writes, "They hail you as their morning star / Because you are the way you are." This line is ironic because it suggests that men only value women for their looks and status, rather than their intelligence or personality.
Metaphor
A metaphor is a literary device that compares two things without using the words "like" or "as." "Men" contains several metaphors, such as "They use you for their dog-toy" in the second stanza. This metaphor compares women to a toy that men can play with and discard at will, highlighting the way in which men often treat women as objects rather than people.
Alliteration
Alliteration is a literary device that involves the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of words. "Men" contains several examples of alliteration, such as "They treat you like a grown-up girl" in the first stanza. This use of alliteration makes the poem more memorable and emphasizes the importance of the words being repeated.
Conclusion
"Men" is a timeless poem that continues to resonate with readers today. Parker's use of satire, irony, and other literary devices makes the poem both humorous and poignant, allowing her to criticize the male gender while also making the reader laugh. The poem's simple structure and brevity make it accessible to a wide audience, and its message is just as relevant today as it was when it was first written. Overall, "Men" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that deserves to be read and appreciated by everyone.
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