'For A Favorite Granddaughter' by Dorothy Parker
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Never love a simple lad,
Guard against a wise,
Shun a timid youth and sad,
Hide from haunted eyes.
Never hold your heart in pain
For an evil-doer;
Never flip it down the lane
To a gifted wooer.
Never love a loving son,
Nor a sheep astray;
Gather up your skirts and run
From a tender way.
Never give away a tear,
Never toss a pine;
Should you heed my words, my dear,
You're no blood of mine!
Editor 1 Interpretation
For A Favorite Granddaughter: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Dorothy Parker’s poem “For A Favorite Granddaughter” is a beautiful and heartwarming piece of poetry that celebrates the joys of childhood and the special bond between grandparents and grandchildren. In this literary criticism and interpretation, we will explore the themes, motifs, and literary devices used in the poem and analyze their significance in the context of the larger literary canon.
Overview of the Poem
The poem is addressed to Parker's favorite granddaughter, presumably the daughter of her stepson, Alan Campbell. The first line, "Some love too little, some too long," is a nod to William Shakespeare's Sonnet 110, which begins, "Alas, 'tis true, I have gone here and there, / And made myself a motley to the view, / Gored mine own thoughts, sold cheap what is most dear, / Made old offences of affections new." This opening line sets the tone for the poem, which is both playful and poignant.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each of which focuses on a different aspect of childhood, such as play, imagination, dreams, and innocence. In each stanza, Parker uses vivid imagery and figurative language to create a sense of wonder and delight. The poem ends with a heartfelt message to the granddaughter, encouraging her to cherish her childhood memories and to never lose the sense of wonder and joy that comes with youth.
Themes
One of the major themes of the poem is the idea of innocence and childhood. Parker celebrates the joys of youth and encourages her granddaughter to hold on to the magic of childhood as long as she can. The poem is a reminder that childhood is a fleeting and precious time, and that we should savor every moment of it.
Another theme of the poem is the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Parker's love for her granddaughter is evident throughout the poem, and she uses the poem as a way to express her affection and to share her wisdom with the younger generation. The poem is a testament to the enduring power of family and the importance of passing down traditions and values from one generation to the next.
Motifs
One of the most prominent motifs in the poem is the idea of play and imagination. Parker uses imagery of toys, games, and make-believe to capture the sense of wonder and joy that comes with childhood. This motif serves to emphasize the importance of play and imagination in the development of children and to celebrate the creativity and ingenuity of youth.
Another motif in the poem is the idea of dreams and aspirations. Parker encourages her granddaughter to dream big and to pursue her passions with enthusiasm and determination. This motif serves to inspire and motivate the reader to follow their own dreams and to never give up on their goals.
Literary Devices
Parker's use of literary devices is one of the hallmarks of her poetic style, and this poem is no exception. One of the most prominent devices used in the poem is imagery. Parker uses vivid imagery to create a sense of wonder and magic, painting a picture of childhood that is both enchanting and memorable. For example, in the third stanza, she writes, "And I'll tell you a secret, June / That I never knew before / You may shed a tear or two, / But I think that you'll adore." This imagery of secrets and tears creates a sense of mystery and anticipation, drawing the reader in and captivating their imagination.
Another literary device used in the poem is repetition. Parker repeats certain phrases and words throughout the poem to create a sense of rhythm and to emphasize certain ideas. For example, she repeats the phrase "little one" throughout the poem, emphasizing the granddaughter's youth and innocence. This repetition serves to reinforce the themes and motifs of the poem and to create a cohesive and unified piece of poetry.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Dorothy Parker's poem "For A Favorite Granddaughter" is a beautiful and heartwarming tribute to childhood and to the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. Through her use of vivid imagery, repetition, and other literary devices, Parker creates a sense of wonder and joy that captures the essence of youth and celebrates the magic of childhood. This poem is a testament to the enduring power of family and the importance of cherishing the memories and traditions that bring us together as a community.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
For A Favorite Granddaughter: A Poem of Love and Loss
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, is known for her wit, humor, and sharp observations on life, love, and society. Her poetry often reflects her personal experiences and emotions, as well as her keen insights into human nature. One of her most poignant and touching poems is "For A Favorite Granddaughter," a tribute to her beloved granddaughter who died at a young age. In this essay, we will explore the themes, imagery, and language of this classic poem and analyze its significance and impact.
The poem begins with a simple and direct statement of the speaker's grief and loss: "I'd build a road in gold / To have you walk there every day." This opening line sets the tone and mood of the poem, which is one of longing, regret, and sorrow. The speaker expresses her desire to bring back her granddaughter, to see her again, to hold her, and to cherish her. The image of a road in gold suggests the speaker's willingness to go to any length to make her granddaughter happy and to keep her close. The use of the conditional tense "I'd" also implies a sense of impossibility and futility, as if the speaker knows that her wish cannot be fulfilled.
The second stanza of the poem introduces the theme of memory and nostalgia. The speaker recalls the happy moments she shared with her granddaughter, the times they spent together, the laughter and joy they shared. She remembers the little things that made her granddaughter special, such as her smile, her voice, her hair. The use of the past tense "you were" and "we had" emphasizes the fact that these moments are gone and can never be repeated. The repetition of the word "remember" also underscores the importance of memory and the power of the past to shape our present and future.
The third stanza of the poem shifts the focus to the present and the speaker's feelings of loneliness and emptiness. She describes the world without her granddaughter as "a desert without a tree," a bleak and desolate place where nothing grows or flourishes. The use of the metaphor of the desert suggests the speaker's sense of isolation and abandonment, as well as her longing for something to fill the void left by her granddaughter's absence. The image of the "little ghost" also adds to the sense of loss and sadness, as if the speaker can still feel her granddaughter's presence but cannot touch or hold her.
The fourth stanza of the poem introduces the theme of death and the speaker's struggle to come to terms with it. She describes her granddaughter as "a bird that flew too high," a metaphor that suggests the idea of mortality and the fragility of life. The image of the bird also implies a sense of freedom and beauty, as if the speaker's granddaughter was a precious and rare creature that was meant to soar and explore. The use of the word "too" also implies a sense of tragedy and regret, as if the speaker feels that her granddaughter's life was cut short and that she had so much more to experience and enjoy.
The fifth and final stanza of the poem brings the themes of love and loss together in a powerful and moving way. The speaker expresses her love for her granddaughter and her desire to be reunited with her in the afterlife. She imagines a world where they can be together again, where they can laugh and play and be happy. The use of the conditional tense "we'd" and "we'd have" suggests the speaker's hope and longing, as if she believes that there is a possibility of a reunion in the future. The final line of the poem, "But, oh, my dear, that's long," is a poignant and heartbreaking reminder of the reality of death and the finality of loss.
In terms of language and imagery, "For A Favorite Granddaughter" is a masterful example of Parker's poetic style. The poem is written in free verse, with no regular rhyme or meter, which gives it a natural and conversational tone. The language is simple and direct, with no unnecessary words or phrases, which adds to the poem's emotional impact. The use of metaphors and imagery is also effective, as it creates vivid and memorable pictures in the reader's mind. The poem's structure, with five stanzas of varying lengths, also adds to its overall impact, as it allows the speaker to explore different aspects of her grief and loss.
In conclusion, "For A Favorite Granddaughter" is a beautiful and moving poem that captures the essence of love and loss. Through its themes of memory, nostalgia, loneliness, death, and love, the poem speaks to the universal human experience of grief and the struggle to come to terms with it. Parker's use of language and imagery is masterful, as it creates a powerful and emotional connection between the speaker and the reader. The poem's impact is timeless and enduring, as it continues to resonate with readers today, almost a century after it was written.
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