'Pour Prendre Conge' by Dorothy Parker
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I'm sick of embarking in dories
Upon an emotional sea.
I'm wearied of playing Dolores
(A role never written for me).
I'll never again like a cub lick
My wounds while I squeal at the hurt.
No more I'll go walking in public,
My heart hanging out of my shirt.
I'm tired of entwining me garlands
Of weather-worn hemlock and bay.
I'm over my longing for far lands-
I wouldn't give that for Cathay.
I'm through with performing the ballet
Of love unrequited and told.
Euterpe, I tender you vale;
Good-by, and take care of that cold.
I'm done with this burning and giving
And reeling the rhymes of my woes.
And how I'll be making my living,
The Lord in His mystery knows.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Pour Prendre Conge: A Masterpiece of Literary Minimalism
"Pour Prendre Conge" is a poem by Dorothy Parker, who is known for her witty and satirical writing. The poem was first published in The New Yorker in 1923 and has since been regarded as a literary classic. In this literary criticism and interpretation, I will analyze the poem's structure, literary devices, and meaning.
Structure
The poem is written in free verse and is composed of only four lines, making it an excellent example of literary minimalism. The brevity of the poem is striking, yet its impact is profound.
Razors pain you;
Rivers are damp;
Acids stain you;
And drugs cause cramp.
The poem's structure is symmetrical, with the first and third lines employing the same verb-noun construction, and the second and fourth lines having a similar grammatical structure. The poem's structure emphasizes the four different ways in which one can experience pain.
Literary Devices
The poem uses several literary devices to create meaning and evoke emotion.
Metaphor
The poem employs metaphor to convey its message. The use of metaphor is particularly effective in the second and fourth lines. The line "Rivers are damp" is a metaphor for the idea that emotions can be overwhelming and difficult to control. The metaphor "And drugs cause cramp" suggests that relying on artificial means to numb pain is harmful and ultimately counterproductive.
Personification
The poem also utilizes personification, which attributes human qualities to non-human entities. The use of personification in the first and third lines is particularly effective in creating a sense of discomfort and unease. The line "Razors pain you" personifies razors, attributing the ability to cause pain to an inanimate object. Similarly, the line "Acids stain you" personifies acids, attributing the ability to cause permanent damage to an otherwise non-human substance.
Repetition
The poem also uses repetition to reinforce its message. The repetition of the verb-noun construction in the first and third lines emphasizes the idea that pain can come from unexpected sources. Additionally, the repetition of the conjunction "and" in the last line creates a sense of accumulation and a finality to the poem's message.
Interpretation
The poem's brevity, structure, and literary devices are all used to convey its message, which is the idea that pain is an inevitable part of life, and that trying to avoid it through artificial means is ultimately futile. The poem suggests that pain should be accepted and experienced as a necessary part of growth and emotional development.
The poem also suggests that there are different types of pain, and they can come from unexpected sources. The use of metaphor and personification in the poem emphasizes this point. The metaphor "Rivers are damp" suggests that emotions can be overwhelming and uncontrollable. Similarly, the personification of razors and acids emphasizes the idea that pain can come from sources that one might not expect.
Overall, the poem's message is both universal and timeless. It speaks to the human experience of pain and suggests that it is an essential part of our emotional and spiritual growth.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Pour Prendre Conge" is a masterpiece of literary minimalism. The poem's brevity, structure, and literary devices are all used to create a powerful and impactful message about the human experience of pain. The poem's use of metaphor and personification emphasizes the idea that pain can come from unexpected sources, while its repetition reinforces its message. "Pour Prendre Conge" is a timeless classic that speaks to the human condition and the inevitability of pain in all of our lives.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Pour Prendre Conge: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting sarcasm, and clever use of irony. Her poem "Pour Prendre Conge" is a perfect example of her mastery of these literary devices. In this poem, Parker uses irony and satire to comment on the superficiality and insincerity of social interactions.
The title of the poem, "Pour Prendre Conge," is French for "to say goodbye." This sets the tone for the poem, which is a farewell to a social gathering. The poem begins with the speaker bidding farewell to the hostess and thanking her for the party. However, as the poem progresses, it becomes clear that the speaker's gratitude is insincere and that the party was not enjoyable.
The first stanza of the poem sets the scene and introduces the speaker's feelings towards the party. The speaker describes the party as "gay" and "bright," but immediately follows this with the line "And who am I that I should be the one / To make this gracious gesture?" This line is the first hint of the speaker's insincerity. The use of the word "gracious" suggests that the speaker is being polite rather than genuinely grateful.
The second stanza of the poem continues the theme of insincerity. The speaker describes the other guests as "charming" and "delightful," but again, there is a hint of sarcasm in these descriptions. The use of the word "charming" suggests that the guests are superficial and insincere, putting on a façade of charm to impress others.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker's true feelings are revealed. The speaker says, "I'm sure they'll all be glad to see me go." This line is the first indication that the speaker did not enjoy the party and that the other guests did not enjoy her company. The use of the word "glad" suggests that the other guests found the speaker unpleasant or annoying.
The fourth stanza of the poem is where Parker's use of irony and satire is most evident. The speaker says, "I'll kiss the hostess, say good-bye to host, / And thank them for a lovely time, of course." This line is dripping with sarcasm. The speaker is saying the opposite of what she means. She will kiss the hostess and say goodbye to the host, but she does not mean it sincerely. The use of the word "lovely" suggests that the party was anything but lovely.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem is a fitting conclusion to the speaker's farewell. The speaker says, "Then, in my lonely room, / I'll weep these tears: / 'Dear Lord above, what fools these mortals be!'" This line is a reference to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream, where the character Puck says, "Lord, what fools these mortals be!" The speaker is using this line to comment on the superficiality and insincerity of social interactions. The other guests at the party were fools, putting on a façade of charm and politeness, while the speaker was the only one who saw through it.
In conclusion, "Pour Prendre Conge" is a masterpiece of irony and satire. Dorothy Parker uses these literary devices to comment on the superficiality and insincerity of social interactions. The speaker's insincere gratitude, sarcastic descriptions of the other guests, and ironic farewell all serve to highlight the speaker's true feelings towards the party. The final reference to Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream is a fitting conclusion to the poem, as it comments on the foolishness of social interactions and the façade of charm and politeness that people put on. Overall, "Pour Prendre Conge" is a brilliant example of Parker's wit and mastery of language.
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