Wednesday, August 15. 2007
Bitchin' Broads - Dorothy Parker
Here is - hopefully - the first of many installments of "Bitchin' Broads," a collection of writing about some extraordinary women I have discovered.
Occasionally I come across a quote or a snippet of information about a person, and I become intrigued. With my curiosity piqued, the quest to learn more begins...As I grow into my maturity, I seek to fill in these holes in my knowledge, hopefully creating a more well-rounded, interesting me. In the words of my first subject: "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker, (attributed). So, since - according to Ms Parker - I am incurable, I shall pursue my 'disease' in search for an understanding of this most fascinating woman.
Occasionally I come across a quote or a snippet of information about a person, and I become intrigued. With my curiosity piqued, the quest to learn more begins...As I grow into my maturity, I seek to fill in these holes in my knowledge, hopefully creating a more well-rounded, interesting me. In the words of my first subject: "The cure for boredom is curiosity. There is no cure for curiosity." - Dorothy Parker, (attributed). So, since - according to Ms Parker - I am incurable, I shall pursue my 'disease' in search for an understanding of this most fascinating woman.
According to Wikipedia, she was an "American writer and poet, best known for her caustic wit, wisecracks, and sharp eye for 20th century urban foibles." She rose from tragic circumstances to become a writer for such publications as Vogue and Vanity Fair...and this was before 1920! She began keeping company with writers and other interesting and creative contemporaries. The Algonquin Round Table, as this group was called, met daily from 1919 to 1929 to share their wit and trade quips. Many famous people were included in this group, most notably - at least to me - Harpo Marx! For a sampling of her clever writing style, check out this list of Dorothy Parker quotes.
Among her further literary accomplishments are numerous volumes of short stories and poetry. She tried her hand at screenwriting to great and prolific success. In fact, she co-wrote the screenplay for the 1937 movie A Star Is Born, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing - Screenplay.
She was dedicated to civic causes, and declared herself a communist (though she never officially joined the party). In 1950 she was blacklisted. She even willed her estate to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. foundation. Following Dr. King's death, her estate passed to the NAACP. It was the NAACP who - after Ms Parker's ashes remained unclaimed for 17 years- claimed them and built a memorial to her memory.
It was her caustic wit that caught my attention...she was most definitely a woman not afraid to have opinions and speak her mind! She lived a life few women of her time could imagine...A woman of financial independence, stormy - and numerous - love affairs, and a star tattoo on her arm, for goodness sake!
Dorothy Parker's writings are relevant still today, as her poems inspire songs, and are recited in movies and on television. Her persona has been the subject of a play and her name mentioned in songs, books and movies. She even has a commemorative postage stamp bearing her likeness in the Literary Arts series.
I'll conclude my overview of this inspiring, powerhouse of a woman with her own words, though I have proven the following quote from her to be false... "I'm never going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do Things. I don't do any thing. Not one single thing. I used to bite my nails, but I don't even do that any more." - Dorothy Parker, Here Lies (1939), "The Little Hours"
Among her further literary accomplishments are numerous volumes of short stories and poetry. She tried her hand at screenwriting to great and prolific success. In fact, she co-wrote the screenplay for the 1937 movie A Star Is Born, which was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Writing - Screenplay.
She was dedicated to civic causes, and declared herself a communist (though she never officially joined the party). In 1950 she was blacklisted. She even willed her estate to the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. foundation. Following Dr. King's death, her estate passed to the NAACP. It was the NAACP who - after Ms Parker's ashes remained unclaimed for 17 years- claimed them and built a memorial to her memory.
It was her caustic wit that caught my attention...she was most definitely a woman not afraid to have opinions and speak her mind! She lived a life few women of her time could imagine...A woman of financial independence, stormy - and numerous - love affairs, and a star tattoo on her arm, for goodness sake!
Dorothy Parker's writings are relevant still today, as her poems inspire songs, and are recited in movies and on television. Her persona has been the subject of a play and her name mentioned in songs, books and movies. She even has a commemorative postage stamp bearing her likeness in the Literary Arts series.
I'll conclude my overview of this inspiring, powerhouse of a woman with her own words, though I have proven the following quote from her to be false... "I'm never going to be famous. My name will never be writ large on the roster of Those Who Do Things. I don't do any thing. Not one single thing. I used to bite my nails, but I don't even do that any more." - Dorothy Parker, Here Lies (1939), "The Little Hours"
When I learn about a person - especially a woman from the past who lived in so much more an unequal world than I do - who lived an unabashed life, I am inspired! I try to glean a lesson for my own life from her experience. Uneducated (in a formal sense) beyond the age of 13, Dorothy Parker trusted her innate intellect and talent to guide her along her successful life path. Because she was bold and confident, her company was enjoyed by other intelligent, interesting people. She was commited to causes in which she believed, fashionable or not. Confidence in my abilities and passion for my vision...That's what this "Bitchin' Broad" can teach me!
Posted by Gina
| Comments (0)
Defined tags for this entry: books, education, entertainment, humor, inspiration, interests, list, movies, music, self improvement, television, writing
My Bitchin' Broad for today is Malvina Reynolds. I first heard of Malvina when I looked up information about the theme song from the television show Weeds, titled "Little Boxes," which, it turns out, she wrote and performed. Click the arrow below to hear
Tracked: Sep 10, 12:37
My Bitchin' Broad for today is Malvina Reynolds. I first heard of Malvina when I looked up information about the theme song from the television show Weeds, titled "Little Boxes," which, it turns out, she wrote and performed. Click the arrow below to hear
Tracked: Sep 10, 16:05