'Interview' by Dorothy Parker
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The ladies men admire, I've heard,
Would shudder at a wicked word.
Their candle gives a single light;
They'd rather stay at home at night.
They do not keep awake till three,
Nor read erotic poetry.
They never sanction the impure,
Nor recognize an overture.
They shrink from powders and from paints ...
So far, I've had no complaints.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Dorothy Parker's "Interview": A Satirical Take on Gender Roles and Society
Dorothy Parker's "Interview" is a witty and satirical poem that explores the societal expectations imposed on women and the ways in which women are often objectified and undervalued. Through her use of irony, humor, and clever wordplay, Parker critiques the patriarchal structures that limit women's agency and autonomy.
Background Information
Dorothy Parker was a prolific writer, poet, and critic who rose to prominence in the early 20th century. She was known for her acerbic wit, her incisive commentary on contemporary culture, and her contributions to the literary and intellectual circles of her time. "Interview" was first published in 1929 as part of Parker's poetry collection, "Sunset Gun," which explored themes of love, loss, and the human condition.
Literary Analysis
One of the most striking features of "Interview" is Parker's use of irony and satire to comment on the patriarchal society in which she lived. The poem is ostensibly about a young woman who is seeking a job as a stenographer, but the interview quickly devolves into a series of sexist and objectifying questions from the male interviewer.
The woman is asked about her height, weight, and age, as well as her marital status and sexual experience. These questions are all deeply inappropriate and reflect the ways in which women were often reduced to their physical attributes and their perceived worth as sexual objects.
Parker's use of irony is particularly effective in this context. The woman's responses to the interviewer's questions are all polite and deferential, but the reader can sense her frustration and anger beneath the surface. For example, when the interviewer asks about her age, the woman responds, "Twenty-three." The interviewer then asks, "Just a baby, aren't you?" and the woman replies, "I suppose so." The reader can sense that the woman is rolling her eyes and resenting the fact that she is being treated like a child.
Throughout the poem, Parker also employs witty wordplay and clever turns of phrase to highlight the absurdity of the situation. When the interviewer asks the woman if she has any "experience," the woman responds, "Not much. Just typing and filing and answering the telephone." The double entendre here is obvious: the interviewer is clearly asking about the woman's sexual experience, but the woman responds with a list of her professional skills.
Parker's use of humor and satire is not only entertaining, but also serves a serious purpose. By exposing the ways in which women were objectified and devalued in the workforce, Parker was calling attention to the need for gender equality and the importance of women's rights.
Interpretation
At its core, "Interview" is a critique of the patriarchal society in which Parker lived. The poem highlights the ways in which women were often reduced to their physical attributes and their perceived worth as sexual objects, and underscores the need for women's agency and autonomy.
The woman in the poem is seeking a job as a stenographer, but her experience is anything but professional. She is subjected to a series of inappropriate and objectifying questions from the male interviewer, who is clearly more interested in her body than her skills or qualifications.
In this way, Parker is highlighting the ways in which women were often marginalized and undervalued in the workforce. Women were expected to be deferential and obedient, and their professional opportunities were often limited by their sex.
But Parker's poem is not just a critique of gender roles and societal expectations; it is also a celebration of women's resilience and strength. Despite the challenges and obstacles she faces, the woman in "Interview" remains polite and composed. She refuses to be cowed or intimidated by the interviewer, and maintains her dignity and self-respect throughout the encounter.
Conclusion
In "Interview," Dorothy Parker offers a scathing critique of the patriarchal society in which she lived, and underscores the need for gender equality and women's rights. Through her use of irony, humor, and clever wordplay, Parker exposes the ways in which women were often objectified and undervalued in the workforce, and celebrates the strength and resilience of women who refuse to be cowed by societal expectations.
As we continue to grapple with issues of gender inequality and discrimination in our own time, Parker's poem remains as relevant and powerful as ever. By calling attention to the injustices of the past, we can work towards creating a more equitable and just future for all.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Interview by Dorothy Parker: A Masterpiece of Irony and Satire
Dorothy Parker is one of the most celebrated American writers of the 20th century, known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and incisive social commentary. Her poem "Interview" is a perfect example of her unique style, combining irony and satire to create a scathing critique of the shallow and superficial nature of modern society.
The poem is structured as a mock interview, with the speaker answering a series of questions from an unseen interviewer. The questions are all focused on the speaker's appearance and social status, highlighting the obsession with surface-level qualities that dominates contemporary culture. The speaker's responses are filled with irony and sarcasm, exposing the absurdity of the interviewer's preoccupation with trivial matters.
The first question sets the tone for the rest of the poem: "In the day's last light, the hills glow golden brown. / A breeze floats through the window, blows your hair around, / And the world outside seems so far away. / And you sit there, beautiful, ignoring me." The question is not really a question at all, but a description of the scene and the speaker's appearance. The interviewer is more interested in the speaker's beauty than in anything she has to say.
The speaker's response is equally dismissive: "Yes, I'm beautiful. Almost everyone is in some way. / But inquire from me what I have to say." The speaker acknowledges her beauty but refuses to let it define her or distract from the substance of the interview. She challenges the interviewer to ask her something meaningful, something that goes beyond surface-level appearances.
The next question is even more absurd: "Your hair is auburn, your eyes are blue. / What do you do for a living, and do you like it too?" The interviewer is more interested in the speaker's physical attributes than in her career or her passions. The speaker's response is again filled with irony: "I'm a writer, I make my living writing prose and such. / Is there anything else you're curious about?" The speaker's profession is not what the interviewer expected, and she quickly moves on to the next question, still focused on the speaker's appearance.
The third question is perhaps the most revealing: "Your dress is lovely, is it new? / And what's become of last year's snow?" The interviewer is not even pretending to be interested in the speaker's thoughts or feelings; she is simply fixated on the speaker's clothing and the passing of time. The speaker's response is biting: "I have no dress, I have no coat. / You've got me wrong, I'm not a goat." The speaker refuses to play along with the interviewer's shallow game, and instead turns the question back on her, exposing the absurdity of her fixation on material possessions.
The final question is a fitting conclusion to the poem: "I'm sure you have some interests... / What do you like to read, perhaps?" The interviewer is finally attempting to engage with the speaker on a deeper level, but it is too little, too late. The speaker's response is dismissive: "I like to read, I like to write. / I like to think, I like to fight. / I like to eat, I like to drink. / And maybe someday, I'll like to think." The speaker is not interested in playing the interviewer's game, and instead asserts her own agency and independence.
In conclusion, "Interview" is a masterpiece of irony and satire, exposing the shallow and superficial nature of modern society. Dorothy Parker's sharp wit and incisive social commentary are on full display, as she skewers the obsession with surface-level qualities that dominates contemporary culture. The poem is a reminder that there is more to life than appearances, and that true beauty and meaning can only be found by looking beyond the surface.
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