The Poetry Dorothy Parker

Most poets write about their own lives, such as their early childhood, struggles, and accomplishments, among other things. Furthermore, they use poetry to discuss contemporary issues in society. Dorothy Parker’s poems will be linked to her personal life and experiences in this article.

Dorothy Parker suffered from depression during a difficult time of her life. For example, after her relationship with MacArthur, which resulted in a pregnancy, she said, “how like me, to lay my eggs in one bastard” (Parker 117). She would later abort the baby before succumbing to despair as a result of her first suicide attempt. This idea can be represented in the poem Resume where the author gives several ideas on how to die, e.g., “razors pain you,” ”rivers are damp,” acids, gas, and guns (Parker 117). Perhaps, she tried to commit suicide but could not find the best tool. Her life experience influenced the development of topic about suicide; therefore, it gives her the poetry authenticity.

The poet’s relations with men shaped her attitude towards them. She divorced her first husband in 1928 before engaging in a series of affairs, including Seward Collins and Charles MacArthur. In the poems Men and Vails, Parker outlines the different things men do to bend women to their will. ”They’ll try to make you different; and once they have you, safe and sound, they want to change you all around (Parker 81).” This line illustrates how Parker felt about men. They only strived to get what they wanted from the women.

Dorothy Parker exemplified her activism in writing. She campaigned against racial discrimination across the southern United Sates while raising money for the Spanish Civil War refugees. Her desire to defend the right of the minority might have begun while she was young. ”I knew then…some men worked in desperate weather since there was not work for them when it was fair (Parker 190).” As a little girl, she realized her father prospered due to the efforts of migrant workers.

Regarding her personality, Dorothy was known to be a wisecracker; an element that is evident in most of her poems. For instance, in the poem Coincidence, Parker illustrates how relations are developed, ”By the time you swear you’re his, shivering and sighing….make a note of this, one of you is lying (Parker 190).” In this sentiment, Parker states humorously how relationships occur with men deemed to entice females without them realizing. Dark humor is one of the prominent aspects seen in most of her poems, typically demonstrating her personality.

In conclusion, Dorothy parker; like any other poets used poetry relay her personal experience. Her experience with men resulted in the composition of poems like Men and Vails. She also went into a depression that led to a suicide attempt and the poem Resume typifies this aspect. Her knack for humor is exemplified in most of her poems like Coincidence where she illustrates the cunning nature of men.

Work Cited

Parker, Dorothy. 189 Poems. PoemHunter.Com, 2012, www.poemhunter.com/i/ebooks/pdf/dorothy_parker_2012_7.pdf.