'Ballade Of Unfortunate Mammals' by Dorothy Parker
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Love is sharper than stones or sticks;
Lone as the sea, and deeper blue;
Loud in the night as a clock that ticks;
Longer-lived than the Wandering Jew.
Show me a love was done and through,
Tell me a kiss escaped its debt!
Son, to your death you'll pay your due-
Women and elephants never forget.
Ever a man, alas, would mix,
Ever a man, heigh-ho, must woo;
So he's left in the world-old fix,
Thus is furthered the sale of rue.
Son, your chances are thin and few-
Won't you ponder, before you're set?
Shoot if you must, but hold in view
Women and elephants never forget.
Down from Caesar past Joynson-Hicks
Echoes the warning, ever new:
Though they're trained to amusing tricks,
Gentler, they, than the pigeon's coo,
Careful, son, of the curs'ed two-
Either one is a dangerous pet;
Natural history proves it true-
Women and elephants never forget.
L'ENVOI
Prince, a precept I'd leave for you,
Coined in Eden, existing yet:
Skirt the parlor, and shun the zoo-
Women and elephants never forget.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Ballade Of Unfortunate Mammals: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Are you a fan of witty, satirical poetry that pokes fun at the absurdities of life? Then you're in for a treat with Dorothy Parker's "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals." This classic poem, published in 1936, is a masterful critique of society's treatment of women and animals. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I'll explore the many layers of meaning and symbolism in Parker's poem, and explain why it remains relevant to this day.
Background
First, let's dive into the context in which Parker wrote this poem. As a writer, critic, and member of the famous Algonquin Round Table, Parker was known for her sharp wit and acerbic commentary on social issues. She was also a vocal advocate for animal rights, and often used her writing to criticize the mistreatment of animals.
In "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals," Parker takes aim at both the patriarchy's treatment of women and society's treatment of animals. The poem is structured as a ballade, a traditional French poetic form characterized by its intricate rhyme scheme and repeated refrain. By using this form, Parker creates a sense of order and control that stands in stark contrast to the chaos and injustice she is critiquing.
Analysis
Now, let's take a closer look at the poem itself. Here is the full text of "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals":
Take comfort, lovers, wherever you may be, The sins of others are heavier than your own. The Polypus-Man's a monster we all can see, But gentle couples are hounded and alone. The hippopotamus, though he seems cast in stone, Is not so rigid as the hearts of men, And the dolphin that with the flippers gracefully shown Has more of morality than they have; so again, Take comfort, lovers, wherever you may be.
The elephant that has a skin so tough and tough Is not so impervious as a woman's pride. The calf that sucks the udder's milk so rough Is not so callous as man's attitude to the bride. The little birds that sing so sweetly outside Have never a thought of jealousy or hate; And the antelope, that leaps o'er the valley wide, Has more of affection than the masters of our fate; Take comfort, lovers, wherever you may be.
The hen that lays the egg of gold so bright Is not so greedy as the man who wants his share. The mare that bears a colt in the pale moonlight Is not so cruel as the men who make her bear. The owl that flies at night in the air Has more of wisdom than the men of the street, And the silver fish that swims without a care Has more of peace than he can ever meet; Take comfort, lovers, wherever you may be.
At first glance, the poem appears to be a light-hearted riff on the traditional ballade form. The repeated refrain, "Take comfort, lovers, wherever you may be," reinforces this impression. However, as we delve deeper into the poem, we begin to realize that Parker is using this lighthearted tone to mask a much darker message.
The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem. Parker tells us to take comfort in the fact that the sins of others are heavier than our own. She then goes on to compare the "Polypus-Man," a monster who is clearly outside the bounds of acceptable behavior, to "gentle couples" who are "hounded and alone." By placing these two groups side by side, Parker suggests that society punishes people who engage in consensual, non-normative behavior just as harshly as it punishes those who commit actual crimes.
The second stanza continues this theme, using animal imagery to highlight the cruel treatment of women. Parker compares a woman's pride to an elephant's tough skin, and suggests that men are callous and cruel towards their wives and partners. By using animal imagery to describe human behavior, Parker suggests that we are no better than the animals we claim to be superior to.
The third stanza takes a slightly different tack, using animal behavior to criticize the greed and cruelty of human society. Parker compares a man who wants his share to a hen that lays the egg of gold, suggesting that both are motivated by greed. She then goes on to suggest that men who make mares bear colts are crueler than the animals themselves.
Throughout the poem, Parker uses animal imagery to highlight the absurdity and injustice of human behavior. By contrasting our supposed superiority to animals with our actual behavior, she forces us to confront the uncomfortable truth that we are not as civilized or as advanced as we like to think.
Interpretation
So, what is the meaning of "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals"? On the surface, it appears to be a lighthearted satire of human behavior. However, as we've seen, there is much more to the poem than meets the eye.
At its core, "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals" is a critique of patriarchy and the mistreatment of women. By using animal imagery to describe women's experiences, Parker highlights the absurdity and cruelty of a society that treats women as inferior. She also suggests that men are just as much victims of this system as women, pointing out that non-normative behavior is punished just as harshly as actual crimes.
However, the poem also has a broader message about the nature of human civilization. By using animal behavior to criticize human behavior, Parker suggests that we are not as civilized or advanced as we like to think. Instead, we are just another species of animal, driven by greed, jealousy, and cruelty.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals" is a masterful critique of society's treatment of women and animals. By using animal imagery to describe human behavior, Parker highlights the absurdity and injustice of a system that treats women as inferior and punishes non-normative behavior just as harshly as actual crimes. However, the poem also has a broader message about the nature of human civilization, suggesting that we are not as advanced or civilized as we like to think. Overall, "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals" is a timeless work of poetry that remains relevant to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals: A Poem of Witty Critique
Dorothy Parker, a renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit and satirical commentary on the society and culture of her time. Her poem "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals" is a perfect example of her unique style and perspective. In this poem, Parker takes a humorous and critical look at the human condition and the animal kingdom, drawing parallels between the two and highlighting the absurdity of human behavior.
The poem is structured as a ballade, a traditional French form of poetry that consists of three stanzas and a concluding envoi. The rhyme scheme is ABABBCBC, with the last line of each stanza repeated as the refrain. The use of this form adds to the poem's musicality and gives it a sense of rhythm and flow.
The first stanza of the poem introduces the theme of the poem, which is the comparison between humans and animals. Parker starts by describing the "fortunate beasts" who live in the wild and are free from the constraints of human society. She contrasts this with the "unfortunate mammals" who are trapped in the human world and are subject to its rules and expectations. The use of the word "mammals" is significant here, as it highlights the fact that humans are not separate from the animal kingdom but are a part of it.
In the second stanza, Parker takes a closer look at the behavior of humans and animals. She describes how animals live in harmony with nature and follow their instincts, while humans are driven by greed, ambition, and other vices. She uses the example of the "lion's roar" to contrast with the "human cry," suggesting that the former is a natural expression of power and dominance, while the latter is a sign of weakness and desperation.
The third stanza is perhaps the most critical of the three. Parker highlights the hypocrisy of human society, where people claim to be civilized and moral but engage in all sorts of immoral and unethical behavior. She uses the example of the "savage beasts" who kill for survival, contrasting them with the "civilized" humans who kill for pleasure or profit. She also points out the absurdity of human inventions and technology, which are often used to exploit and oppress others.
The concluding envoi of the poem brings the three stanzas together and reinforces the central message of the poem. Parker uses the refrain "Oh, woe is us" to suggest that humans are the real "unfortunate mammals" because of their self-destructive behavior and their inability to live in harmony with nature. She also uses the phrase "we are the fools" to suggest that humans are responsible for their own misery and that they have the power to change their ways.
Overall, "Ballade of Unfortunate Mammals" is a witty and insightful critique of human society and behavior. Parker uses humor and satire to highlight the absurdity of human behavior and to suggest that humans have much to learn from the animal kingdom. The poem is also a reminder that humans are not separate from nature but are a part of it, and that they have a responsibility to live in harmony with the natural world.
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