Parsley
By Rita Dove
- The Cane Fields
There is a parrot imitating spring in the palace, its feathers a parsley green. Out of the swamp the cane appears to haunt us, and we cut it down. The general searches for a word; he is looking for it in the world. Like a parrot imitating spring, we lie down screaming as rain punches through and we rise green. We cannot speak an R out of the swamp, the cane appears again. And then the mountain we call Katalina in whispers. The children gnaw their teeth to arrowheads. There is a parrot imitating spring.
The general has found his word: perejil. Who says it lives. He laughs, teeth shining out of the swamp. The cane appears in our dreams, lashed by wind and streaming. And we lie down. For every drop of blood there is a parrot imitating spring. Out of the swamp the cane appears.
- The Palace
The word the general has chosen is parsley. It is fall, when thoughts turn to love and death; the general thinks of his mother, how she died in the fall and he planted her walking cane at the grave and it flowered, each spring stolidly forming four‑star blossoms. The general pulls on his boots, he stomps to her room in the palace, the one without curtains, the one with a parrot in a brass ring. As he paces he wonders Who can I kill today. And for a moment the little knot of screams is still. The parrot, who has traveled all the way from Australia in an ivory cage, is coy as a widow, practising spring. Ever since the morning his mother collapsed in the kitchen while baking skull‑shaped candies for the Day of the Dead, the general has hated sweets. He orders pastries brought up for the bird; they arrive dusted with sugar on a bed of lace. The knot in his throat starts to twitch; he sees his boots the first day in battle splashed with mud and urine as a soldier falls at his feet amazed, how stupid he looked, at the sound of artillery. I never thought it would sing the soldier said, and died. Now the general sees the fields of sugar cane lashed by rain and streaming. He sees his mother’s smile, the teeth gnawed to arrowheads. He hears the Haitians sing without R’s as they swing the great machetes: Katalina, they sing, Katalina, mi madre, mi amor en muerte. God knows his mother was no stupid woman; she could roll an R like a queen. Even a parrot can roll an R! In the bare room the bright feathers arch in a parody of greenery, as the last pale crumbs disappear under the blackened tongue. Someone calls out his name in a voice so like his mother’s, a startled tear splashes the tip of his right boot. My mother, my love in death. The general remembers the tiny green sprigs men of his village wore in their capes to honor the birth of a son. He will order many, this time, to be killed for a single, beautiful word.
Understanding Rita Dove’s “Parsley”: A Deep Dive
“Parsley” is a haunting poem by Rita Dove that delves into the 1937 Parsley Massacre, a brutal event in Dominican Republic history in which Haitian laborers and Dominican citizens of Haitian descent were murdered. This poem is not simply a historical recounting; it is a complex exploration of language, power, identity, and the cyclical nature of violence. We will break down its meaning, explore its literary techniques, and understand why it remains a powerful and relevant piece of literature.
What is “Parsley” About?
At its core, “Parsley” recounts the horrific events surrounding the persecution of Haitian workers in the Dominican Republic. General Rafael Trujillo, the Dominican dictator, ordered soldiers to test the pronunciation of the R sound. Those who could not roll their Rs—typically of Haitian origin—were identified and murdered. The poem brilliantly juxtaposes the seemingly innocuous word “parsley” – the signal for life or death – with lush, vibrant imagery of the natural world and haunting echoes of personal and historical memory. It is a chilling portrayal of how language can be weaponized and used to justify unimaginable cruelty.
Central Idea: The Power and Peril of Language
The poem’s central idea revolves around the terrifying power of language. Dove demonstrates how a single word – “parsley,” or in Spanish, “perejil” – can become a tool of oppression and a determinant of life and death. It exposes the fragility of identity and how easily it can be constructed and dismantled through linguistic criteria. The poem also examines how language can mask violence, create a false appearance of normalcy, and perpetuate cycles of trauma.
In-Depth Analysis of Poetic Techniques
Imagery and Symbolism
Dove masterfully employs imagery and symbolism throughout the poem. The repeated image of the parrot “imitating spring” is crucial. The parrot, though beautiful, is an imitation, a mimicry of life. This can be interpreted as a symbol of the deceptive façade of order imposed by Trujillo, masking the brutality beneath. The color green, associated with parsley and spring, is oddly juxtaposed with violence and death throughout the poem. Consider this line: “For every drop of blood there is a parrot imitating spring.” This pairing underscores the poem’s central irony: beauty and horror coexist. The cane fields themselves are symbolic, representing both the agricultural labor of the Haitian workers and the instruments of their suffering. The cane can haunt the speakers, highlighting the continuing trauma of the massacre.
Repetition and Refrain
The refrain “There is a parrot imitating spring” functions as a haunting chorus throughout the poem. This repetition is not merely stylistic; it emphasizes the cyclical nature of violence and the enduring presence of trauma. It reminds the reader that the pattern of oppression continues, regardless of location or time. It also subtly hints that the oppressor’s efforts to create order are mere imitations of the natural world.
Juxtaposition and Contrast
Dove frequently uses juxtaposition and contrast to heighten the poem’s emotional impact. For instance, the poem contrasts idyllic imagery of spring and lush vegetation with the brutal reality of the massacre. The general’s memories of his mother – a symbol of love and nurturing – are sharply contrasted with his cold‑hearted decision to order the killings. This juxtaposition highlights the internal conflict and moral ambiguity at the heart of the poem.
Shifting Perspectives
The poem’s narrative perspective shifts fluidly between the general’s internal thoughts, the voices of the victims, and an omniscient narrator. This shifting perspective allows Dove to create a complex and multi‑layered portrayal of the events. It forces the reader to confront the perspectives of both the oppressor and the oppressed, challenging them to grapple with the moral complexities of the situation.
Use of Spanish
The inclusion of Spanish phrases like “perejil,” “Katalina,” and “mi madre, mi amor en muerte” is significant. They ground the poem in the specific historical and cultural context of the massacre and add a layer of authenticity and emotional resonance. They are a nod to the language and cultural heritage of the victims and emphasize that the poem is not a universal tale of violence, but a specific moment in history.
How Each Section Contributes to the Poem’s Meaning
The poem is divided into two sections, titled “The Cane Fields” and “The Palace.” “The Cane Fields” introduces the setting and establishes the atmosphere of violence and oppression. The image of the cane fields serves as a powerful symbol of both labor and suffering. “The Palace” shifts the focus to the general’s internal world, exploring his motivations and memories. This section reveals the complex psychological factors that contribute to his brutality. The interweaving of these two sections creates a dynamic tension that drives the poem forward.
Illustrative Quote and Analysis
For every drop of blood
there is a parrot imitating spring.
(Line 18)
This line encapsulates the poem’s central paradox: the juxtaposition of beauty and horror. The “parrot imitating spring” represents a superficial semblance of order and normalcy that masks underlying violence and suffering. The image is a chilling reminder that even in the midst of unimaginable cruelty, life – or at least, the appearance of it – continues.
Why This Poem Matters
“Parsley” is more than a historical recounting; it is a powerful and timeless exploration of the human condition. It forces us to confront difficult questions about power, identity, and the enduring consequences of violence. By giving voice to the silenced victims of the Parsley Massacre, Dove ensures that their stories are not forgotten. The poem remains profoundly relevant today, reminding us of the dangers of unchecked power and the importance of vigilance in the face of oppression.