'Parlez-Vous Francais?' by Delmore Schwartz
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Caesar, the amplifier voice, announces
Crime and reparation. In the barber shop
Recumbent men attend, while absently
The barber doffs the naked face with cream.
Caesar proposes, Caesar promises
Pride, justice, and the sun
Brilliant and strong on everyone,
Speeding one hundred miles an hour across the land:
Caesar declares the will. The barber firmly
Planes the stubble with a steady hand,
While all in barber chairs reclining,
In wet white faces, fully understand
Good and evil, who is Gentile, weakness and command.
And now who enters quietly? Who is this one
Shy, pale, and quite abstracted? Who is he?
It is the writer merely, with a three-day beard,
His tiredness not evident. He wears no tie.
And now he hears his enemy and trembles,
Resolving, speaks: "Ecoutez! La plupart des hommes
Vivent des vies de desespoir silenciuex,
Victimes des intentions innombrables. Et ca
Cet homme sait bien. Les mots de cette voix sont
Des songes et des mensonges. Il prend choix,
Il prend la volonte, il porte la fin d'ete.
La guerre. Ecoutez-moi! Il porte la mort."
He stands there speaking and they laugh to hear
Rage and excitement from the foreigner.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Parlez-Vous Francais? by Delmore Schwartz: A Literary Criticism
As a literature enthusiast, I always find myself captivated by poets who can tell a story in such a way that it leaves a lasting impression. Such poets can take mundane experiences and transform them into a phenomenal piece of art. Delmore Schwartz's Parlez-Vous Francais? is one such poem.
First published in 1938, Parlez-Vous Francais? is a masterpiece of literary genius. The poem is about a speaker who wishes they could speak French fluently. It is a simple concept, but the way that Schwartz executes it is what makes this poem so remarkable.
The Structure of the Poem
Parlez-Vous Francais? is a poem that comprises of five stanzas, each consisting of three lines. The poem follows a consistent AABBCC rhyme scheme, giving it a flowing and harmonious structure.
However, the structure of the poem goes beyond just the rhyme scheme. The poem's structure is also reflected in the way the lines are phrased. The first two lines of each stanza begin with 'if only,' while the third line is always the same, "I could speak French, / Like a native of France, / Parlez-vous Francais?"
The repetition of "if only" at the beginning of every stanza creates a rhythm that emphasizes the speaker's longing to speak French fluently. The repetition of the third line also adds to the poem's consistency and creates a unifying effect that helps to focus the reader's attention on the speaker's desire to speak French.
The Speaker's Desire to Speak French Fluently
The speaker's longing to speak French fluently is the central theme of the poem. From the first stanza to the last, the speaker repeats the phrase "if only" and expresses their deep-seated desire to speak French.
The speaker's desire to speak French fluently is not just about learning a new language. It is about their desire to be a part of something bigger. It's about their desire to be able to express themselves in a way that transcends language and culture.
In the second stanza, the speaker says, "If only I could speak French, / I could be a part of that world, / That speaks the language of love." This line emphasizes the speaker's desire to be a part of a community that shares their passion for French culture and language.
The third stanza also emphasizes the speaker's desire to speak French fluently. The speaker says, "If only I could speak French, / I could write a poem, / That would make the angels weep." This line not only shows the speaker's desire to be a part of the French-speaking world but also highlights the power of language.
The speaker's desire to speak French fluently is not just about learning a new language. It's about their desire to connect with others on a deeper level and express themselves in a way that transcends language and culture.
The Power of Language
Throughout Parlez-Vous Francais?, Schwartz emphasizes the power of language. Language is not just a means of communication; it is a powerful tool that can connect people, express emotions, and create art.
In the fourth stanza, the speaker says, "If only I could speak French, / I could tell you what I feel, / Without the need for words." This line emphasizes the ability of language to convey emotions and ideas that transcend words.
The power of language is also highlighted in the third stanza when the speaker says they could write a poem that would make angels weep. This line emphasizes the ability of language to create art that transcends language and culture.
Schwartz's emphasis on the power of language is an important aspect of Parlez-Vous Francais?. It reminds the reader of the power of language to connect people, express emotions, and create art.
The Use of French Language
The use of the French language in Parlez-Vous Francais? is crucial to the poem's overall effect. The poem's title, Parlez-Vous Francais?, is in French, and the third line of every stanza is also in French.
The use of the French language emphasizes the speaker's desire to speak French fluently. It also creates a sense of authenticity and cultural richness that adds depth to the poem.
The French language is also used to create a sense of longing and desire. The speaker's desire to speak French is heightened by the use of French phrases, and the reader is reminded of the power of language to connect people and cultures.
Conclusion
Parlez-Vous Francais? is a poem that emphasizes the power of language and the desire to connect with others on a deeper level. Schwartz's use of structure, repetition, and French language adds depth to the poem and highlights the speaker's longing to speak French fluently.
The poem is a testament to the power of language and its ability to connect people, express emotions, and create art. It is a reminder that language is not just a means of communication; it is a powerful tool that can transcend language and culture.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Parlez-Vous Francais? A Classic Poem by Delmore Schwartz
Delmore Schwartz, an American poet and short story writer, is known for his unique style of writing that blends modernism with traditional forms. His poem, "Parlez-Vous Francais?" is a classic example of his work, which explores the themes of identity, language, and culture.
The poem begins with the speaker asking a simple question, "Parlez-vous Francais?" which translates to "Do you speak French?" This question sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as the speaker delves into the complexities of language and identity.
The first stanza of the poem describes the speaker's desire to learn French, which he sees as a way to connect with a different culture. He describes French as a "language of love," which suggests that he sees it as a way to express emotions that are not easily conveyed in English. The speaker's desire to learn French can be seen as a metaphor for his desire to connect with a different culture and to understand the world from a different perspective.
In the second stanza, the speaker reflects on the difficulties of learning a new language. He describes the process as "painful," and suggests that it requires a lot of effort and dedication. This stanza can be seen as a commentary on the challenges of cultural exchange, as it suggests that understanding a different culture requires a lot of work and patience.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to explore the deeper themes of identity and language. He describes how language shapes our understanding of the world, and how it can be used to create barriers between people. He suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but also a way of defining who we are and where we come from.
The fourth stanza of the poem is perhaps the most powerful, as the speaker reflects on his own identity and the role that language plays in shaping it. He describes how his own identity is shaped by his language, and how he is defined by the words he uses to describe himself. He suggests that language is not just a way of communicating, but also a way of defining ourselves and our place in the world.
The final stanza of the poem is where the speaker brings all of these themes together. He suggests that language is both a barrier and a bridge, and that it can be used to connect people from different cultures, but also to create divisions between them. He suggests that the key to understanding different cultures is to learn their language, and to use it as a way of connecting with them.
Overall, "Parlez-Vous Francais?" is a powerful and thought-provoking poem that explores the themes of identity, language, and culture. It suggests that language is not just a tool for communication, but also a way of defining ourselves and our place in the world. It also suggests that understanding different cultures requires a lot of work and patience, but that it is ultimately worth it in order to connect with others and broaden our understanding of the world.
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