'Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song' by Dorothy Parker
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There's many and many, and not so far,
Is willing to dry my tears away;
There's many to tell me what you are,
And never a lie to all they say.
It's little the good to hide my head,
It's never the use to bar my door;
There's many as counts the tears I shed,
There's mourning hearts for my heart is
There's honester eyes than your blue eyes,
There's better a mile than such as you.
But when did I say that I was wise,
And when did I hope that you were true?
Editor 1 Interpretation
Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Introduction
Dorothy Parker was a renowned American writer, poet, and critic known for her wit and satirical humor. Her works often depict the complexities of human relationships and the struggles of love. One of her most popular poems is "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song," which was first published in The New Yorker in 1927. This poem is a satirical take on the conventional love song, where Parker purposely uses ungrammatical sentences and incorrect syntax to convey the speaker's reluctance to express their love.
In this literary criticism and interpretation, I aim to provide a detailed analysis of Parker's "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song." I will examine the poem's structure, language, and themes, and explore the speaker's attitude towards love and relationships.
Structure
"Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is a short poem consisting of three stanzas with four lines each. The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB, which gives it a sing-song quality. The poem's regular structure contrasts with its ungrammatical and unconventional language, creating a sense of irony and humor.
The first and third stanzas begin with the same line, "Oh, love is a crooked thing," which emphasizes the speaker's ambivalent attitude towards love. The second stanza starts with a different line, "She," indicating a shift in the speaker's focus from love to a specific person. The repetition of the opening line in the first and third stanzas emphasizes the speaker's reluctance to express their feelings, while the shift in the second stanza shows their desire to address the person directly.
Language
The language used in "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is intentionally ungrammatical and unconventional. Parker uses incorrect syntax, misspellings, and nonstandard language to create a sense of playfulness and wit. The poem's title itself is a nod to its ungrammatical language, indicating that Parker intentionally wrote the poem this way.
For example, in the first stanza, Parker writes, "Oh, love is a crooked thing, there is nobody wise enough to find out all that is in it." The use of the comma instead of a conjunction between the two independent clauses is ungrammatical. However, this construction emphasizes the speaker's uncertainty and confusion about love.
Similarly, in the second stanza, Parker writes, "She is a labyrinth of trouble, and a sinking star." The use of "is" instead of "has" in the first phrase is ungrammatical. However, this construction emphasizes the speaker's perception of the person as a complicated and troublesome figure.
The use of nonstandard language is also evident in the third stanza, where Parker writes, "I love you, darling, come and be my turtle dove." The use of "turtle dove" instead of "dove" or "lovebird" is unconventional. However, this language adds to the poem's playful tone and reinforces the speaker's reluctance to express their love directly.
Themes
"Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" explores the theme of love and its complexities. The speaker's ambivalent attitude towards love is evident throughout the poem, as they describe it as a "crooked thing" and a "labyrinth of trouble." The use of these metaphors suggests that love is not a straightforward emotion, but rather a complex and confusing experience.
The poem also explores the theme of communication and the difficulties of expressing one's feelings. The speaker's ungrammatical language and reluctance to address the person directly suggest that they struggle to express their emotions. The repetition of the opening line in the first and third stanzas further emphasizes the speaker's hesitation.
The poem's use of humor and satire also highlights the theme of social norms and conventions. By intentionally writing an ungrammatical love song, Parker challenges the conventional expectations of a love poem. The poem's humor and irony suggest that the speaker is aware of these expectations and chooses to subvert them.
Interpretation
"Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is a satirical take on the conventional love song. Parker purposely uses ungrammatical language and incorrect syntax to challenge the expectations of a love poem. The poem's structure, language, and themes highlight the complexities of love and the difficulties of expressing one's feelings.
The speaker's ambivalent attitude towards love suggests that they view it as a complex and confusing emotion. The use of metaphors such as "crooked thing" and "labyrinth of trouble" further emphasizes this perception. The poem's humor and irony suggest that the speaker is aware of the conventional expectations of a love poem and chooses to subvert them.
The poem's use of ungrammatical language and incorrect syntax reinforces the idea that communication is difficult, especially when it comes to expressing one's emotions. The speaker's reluctance to address the person directly suggests that they struggle to express their feelings. The repetition of the opening line in the first and third stanzas further emphasizes the speaker's hesitation.
In conclusion, "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is a witty and satirical take on the conventional love poem. Parker's use of ungrammatical language and incorrect syntax challenges the expectations of a love poem and highlights the complexities of love and communication. Through her humor and irony, Parker invites the reader to question conventional social norms and expectations.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song: A Masterpiece of Literary Rebellion
Dorothy Parker, the renowned American poet, writer, and critic, was known for her sharp wit, biting humor, and rebellious spirit. Her works often challenged the norms of society and language, and her poem "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is a perfect example of her literary rebellion.
The poem, written in 1926, is a short and sweet love song that deliberately breaks the rules of grammar and syntax. It is a playful and whimsical piece that celebrates the joy and freedom of love, while also poking fun at the rigid conventions of language.
The poem begins with the lines:
"Oh, love is a crooked thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it,"
These lines set the tone for the rest of the poem, with their unconventional syntax and playful use of language. The use of the word "crooked" to describe love is particularly interesting, as it suggests that love is not a straight and narrow path, but rather a winding and unpredictable journey.
The next stanza continues in the same vein, with Parker using deliberately ungrammatical language to convey the speaker's feelings of joy and excitement:
"Oh, love is a crooked thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it. Love is a hole in the heart."
The use of the phrase "a hole in the heart" is a powerful metaphor for the all-consuming nature of love. It suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a physical sensation that can be felt in the body. The use of the word "hole" also implies that love is something that can never be filled or satisfied, but rather something that constantly demands more.
The third stanza is perhaps the most playful and rebellious of the poem, with Parker deliberately breaking the rules of grammar and syntax to create a sense of whimsy and joy:
"Oh, love is a dance of lights, Love is a game of mights, Love is a war of rights."
The use of the phrase "a dance of lights" is particularly striking, as it suggests that love is not just an emotion, but a visual spectacle. The use of the words "game of mights" and "war of rights" also suggests that love is a battle, with each partner vying for dominance and control.
The final stanza of the poem brings the theme of rebellion to the forefront, with Parker using deliberately ungrammatical language to challenge the norms of language and society:
"Oh, love is a shameless thing, There is nobody wise enough To find out all that is in it. Love is a great and aching heart, Wrung hands, and silence, and tears."
The use of the phrase "a shameless thing" is particularly interesting, as it suggests that love is something that should be celebrated and embraced, rather than hidden or ashamed of. The use of the phrase "wrung hands, and silence, and tears" is also powerful, as it suggests that love is not just a source of joy and happiness, but also of pain and sorrow.
Overall, "Purposely Ungrammatical Love Song" is a masterpiece of literary rebellion. It challenges the norms of language and society, while also celebrating the joy and freedom of love. It is a playful and whimsical piece that reminds us of the power of language to convey complex emotions and ideas. Dorothy Parker was a true literary rebel, and this poem is a testament to her talent and spirit.
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