'Nocturne' by Dorothy Parker
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Always I knew that it could not last
(Gathering clouds, and the snowflakes flying),
Now it is part of the golden past
(Darkening skies, and the night-wind sighing);
It is but cowardice to pretend.
Cover with ashes our love's cold crater-
Always I've known that it had to end
Sooner or later.
Always I knew it would come like this
(Pattering rain, and the grasses springing),
Sweeter to you is a new love's kiss
(Flickering sunshine, and young birds singing).
Gone are the raptures that once we knew,
Now you are finding a new joy greater-
Well, I'll be doing the same thing, too,
Sooner or later.
Editor 1 Interpretation
The Enchanting Allure of Dorothy Parker's "Nocturne"
"Nocturne" is a stunning poem written by the legendary Dorothy Parker. The piece is a beautiful depiction of love, loss, and the pull of memory. As a literary masterpiece, "Nocturne" is a brilliant example of Parker's mastery of language and poetic form. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will delve deep into the themes, symbols, and imagery that make "Nocturne" a timeless classic.
The Theme of Love and Loss
One of the most prominent themes in "Nocturne" is love and loss. The poem is a lament for a love that has ended, and the speaker is grappling with the painful memories of a relationship that has come to an end. The poem is a haunting reminder of the fragility of love and how quickly it can end.
Parker's use of language is particularly effective in conveying the sense of loss and longing. The speaker's use of the phrase "the night is shattered" implies that something has been broken, and the sense of fragmentation is evident throughout the poem. The speaker is searching for a way to piece together the fragments of their life and move on from the loss of the past.
The Symbolism of Light and Dark
The symbolism of light and dark is also prevalent throughout "Nocturne". The poem is set at night, and the darkness is a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state. The speaker is lost in the darkness of their memories, and they are struggling to find a way out.
The use of light in the poem is incredibly powerful. The speaker describes the moon as "a sword" slicing through the darkness, and this imagery is a reminder that even in the darkest moments, there is always a glimmer of hope. The light of the moon is a flicker of hope that guides the speaker through their pain and towards a brighter future.
The Imagery of Music
Music is a significant motif in "Nocturne". The title of the poem refers to a musical composition that is intended to be played at night. The speaker describes the music as "a tremulous cadence slow, / That beats like a sob in the bosom's core". The music is a metaphor for the speaker's emotional state, and the slow, mournful pace of the music reflects the speaker's sense of loss and longing.
The imagery of music is incredibly effective in conveying the speaker's emotions. The use of the word "sob" suggests that the speaker is in a state of deep emotional pain, and the music is a way of expressing that pain. The musical imagery is a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for healing, and the act of creating art can help us to process our emotions and move on from our pain.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Nocturne" is a powerful and moving poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and memory. Parker's use of language is incredibly effective in conveying the speaker's emotions, and the imagery of light, dark, and music adds depth and complexity to the poem. As a literary masterpiece, "Nocturne" is a timeless classic that continues to captivate readers and inspire new generations of poets.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Nocturne: A Poem of Love and Loss
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and insightful observations on life and love. Her poem "Nocturne" is a hauntingly beautiful piece that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. In this analysis, we will delve deeper into the poem's meaning, structure, and literary devices, and explore why it has stood the test of time as a classic work of poetry.
The poem begins with a simple yet powerful image: "The moonlight fades from flower and rose." This opening line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, as it establishes a sense of melancholy and loss. The moonlight, which is often associated with romance and beauty, is fading away, leaving the flowers and roses in darkness. This image can be interpreted as a metaphor for the fading of love and the loss of beauty and passion.
The second line of the poem, "And the stars dim one by one," reinforces this sense of loss and fading. The stars, which are often associated with hope and inspiration, are also fading away, leaving the speaker in a state of darkness and despair. The use of the phrase "one by one" emphasizes the gradual nature of this loss, as if the speaker is watching the stars disappear before their very eyes.
The third line of the poem, "The night comes stealing o'er the sea," introduces a new element to the poem: the sea. The sea is often associated with vastness, mystery, and the unknown, and its presence here adds to the sense of darkness and uncertainty. The use of the phrase "comes stealing" suggests a sense of stealth or secrecy, as if the night is creeping up on the speaker without them realizing it.
The fourth line of the poem, "And the grey mist creepeth silently," further reinforces this sense of stealth and secrecy. The grey mist, which is often associated with uncertainty and confusion, is creeping silently towards the speaker, adding to their sense of unease and anxiety. The use of the word "creepeth" also adds to the sense of slow, gradual movement, as if the mist is slowly enveloping the speaker.
The fifth line of the poem, "Closes like an ocean-tide," brings the sea imagery back into focus. The use of the word "ocean-tide" emphasizes the vastness and power of the sea, and suggests that the darkness and uncertainty of the night is overwhelming the speaker, like a tidal wave. The use of the word "closes" also suggests a sense of finality, as if the speaker is being closed off from the world around them.
The sixth and final line of the poem, "Sleep falls upon the minds of men," brings the poem to a close with a sense of resignation and acceptance. The use of the phrase "sleep falls" suggests a sense of inevitability, as if the speaker has no choice but to succumb to the darkness and uncertainty of the night. The use of the phrase "minds of men" also suggests a sense of universality, as if the speaker is speaking for all of humanity.
In terms of structure, the poem is a six-line stanza with a rhyme scheme of ABABCC. This rhyme scheme adds to the musicality of the poem, and helps to reinforce the sense of melancholy and loss that permeates throughout. The use of repetition, such as the repetition of the word "fades" in the first line and the repetition of the phrase "creepeth silently" in the fourth line, also adds to the musicality of the poem and helps to reinforce its themes.
In terms of literary devices, the poem makes use of several powerful metaphors and images. The moonlight, stars, flowers, roses, sea, and mist are all used to create a sense of atmosphere and mood, and to reinforce the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. The use of personification, such as the moonlight "fading" and the mist "creeping," also adds to the sense of atmosphere and mood, and helps to create a sense of unease and anxiety.
Overall, "Nocturne" is a powerful and haunting poem that explores the themes of love, loss, and the passage of time. Its use of powerful imagery, musical language, and literary devices helps to create a sense of atmosphere and mood that is both melancholy and beautiful. As a classic work of poetry, it has stood the test of time and continues to resonate with readers today.
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