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Dorothy Parker Readings

Dorothy Parker: “Good Souls”

How does Parker use language and craft devises (questions, specific vocabulary) veer the essay away from a list of opinions and moves towards an authoritative voice?

This is, undeniably in my opinion, an opinion essay. However, Parker constructs it in a way very much different than any formal piece of rhetoric. For that reason, it appears more effective. Parker describes Good Souls as “curious creatures”, pointing out their “peculiarities.” Good Souls, of course, are nothing more than honest, caring, and trustworthy people. But, in Parker’s belief as least, they are so rare they assume an almost other-like character, going so far as to write that “they are wholly unconscious of their condition.”

It’s a complex form of sarcasm that’s both poignant and powerful. At the same time, she both praises do-gooders and laments that the societal norm is now to not be a Good Soul. For instance, she writes “there is no accounting for Good Souls.” Moments like these suggest that these Good Souls have difficulty operating in such a cold community. While humorous, Parker’s essay paints a bleak image of human nature.

What effect does the paragraph full of questions (pg 577) have on Parker’s voice and how she engages the reader?

Most obviously, Parker formally addresses her audience, beginning each question with “Do you”. By doing this, she is calling us out. Parker is questioning our own intuitions, hoping to lead us to the realization that, yes, we too have taken advantage of the Good Soul. There is always that one kid “upon whom all the other kiddies play their complete repertory of childhood’s winsome pranks.” Parker wants us to acknowledge that, possibly repent for it, but most importantly respect the Good Soul who is either the victim or the abstainer.

Dorothy Parker: “The Sexes”

How does the dialogue help to shift the sense of power in the story?

Even without any descriptive text, we gain a very keen insight into the couple’s relationship. The dialogue begins with the man, more or less, in power. He simply offers the woman a cigarette as a conversation starter, something to share the experience with. What is originally a simple, kind gesture turns into the basis for an argument, as the woman becomes increasingly irritated and the man becomes increasingly defensive. By the end of the dialogue, it could be argued that the woman is in control, grilling her partner on the pretty lady that he was talking up at a party the other night. In a span of a few minutes of conversation, the dialogue shifts from the man being the head of conversation to him nearly pleading for forgiveness.

How does the dialogue convey the emotions of the characters?

Initially, the “young man” is confident, speaking in short, succinct, yet powerful phrases. In the beginning, he offers the woman a cigarette, with confidence. However, as the conversation unravels, and as he becomes increasingly flustered with the qualms his partner has regarding other women, her friend’s work, the man’s dialogue changes. Her becomes very defensive, saying, “My God, this what’s-her-name girl came up and began talking to me before I even saw anybody else; and what could I do? I couldn’t sock her in the nose; could I?”

Meanwhile, the woman is at first reticent, hiding many of her emotions. However, by the latter stages of their talk, she has opened up about her concerns, and thus becomes a much more powerful member of the conversation. In the final part of the conversation she exposes shades of jealousy, say, in reference to another girl, “She has got an awfully funny nose. l really feel sorry for a girl with a nose like that.”

In what ways does the dialogue show the relationship between the two characters?

We never are specifically told that the two are dating, but I think it can be inferred. Regardless, it seems like the woman doesn’t trust the man very much. She’s both insecure about the girl he was talking to and the fact that he may rather be elsewhere at the moment of the conversation. The young man, meanwhile, seems to get easily irritated with his female friend. From this conversation, they don’t appear to be particularly compatible partners.

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