This entertaining “morning after” story by Dorothy Parker describes an embarrassed young man’s reactions as he tries to piece together what happened the night before. The beauty of the story is that, depending on how the reader interprets the dialogue, it can be taken several ways. One is that the woman is exaggerating or even making up events to teach the man a lesson. Another is that the events are true but she is playing them down because she wants to believe something he said during the cab ride home. Themes include alcohol abuse, memory, relationships, guilt, happiness and regret. More…
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Big Blonde
This rather depressing story from Dorothy Parker exposes the different socioeconomic standing and sexual standards applicable to men and women in 1920s America. The protagonist (Hazel) falls from being a popular plus-size model to a depressed middle-aged alcoholic. The cause of her decline lies in extreme moods that sour relationships with her husband and the other hard-drinking men in her life. Forced into a demeaning series of casual affairs with married men who pay her keep in expectation of sexual services, she sees only one pathway to lasting peace. Themes: body image, vulnerability, sexual exploitation, loss of identity/self-esteem, depression, alcoholism. More…
Here We Are
This story by Dorothy Parker comprises a dialog between a young newlywed couple traveling by train to their honeymoon destination. It is clear that both are nervous, and that their relationship has hitherto been platonic. The bride appears particularly insecure, and challenges several things her new husband says as indications that he doesn’t care for her, her family, and her taste in fashion. She is looking for affirmation of his love, which he provides, and deflecting thoughts of what they both know will happen that evening. Themes include marriage, innocence, communication, insecurity, jealousy, embarrassment, sex. More…