Jerz: Am Lit II (EL 267): Parker, ''Here We Are''
Dorothy Parker wrote "Here We Are" in 1931 and all I have to say is wow. It's amazing what two little words can imply. The is such amazing sexual tension in the story it's not even funny. I think that it is interesting that Parker left the names of the couple annonymus. I like the nervousness that the two are feeling about their first night together as a married couple. The husband keeps repeating in various ways that "we're on our honeymoon. Pretty soon we'll be regular old married people. I mean. I mean."
It's funny that we are reading this story right now. You see, I am the Sacristin for weddings here on campus and the first Wedding is being held this Saturday. It's kind of interesting to see how nervous people were when sex was just not talked about.
Do you guys know anyone that is getting married? Do you think that they would benefit from reading this story and why?
Tiffany
Posted by Tiffany Brattina at March 30, 2005 8:13 PM | TrackBackThe more times change, the more I feel this story will lose something. The topic of sex is by far talked about more than it was when this was written. The way the two charecters dance around the mysteries of what only married couples did, their nerves just come out in full force. The emotions and the jumpiness are as plain as day here. I believe the nerves are still there today but they are a different type. There are different pressures on society today and that is why i believe this story will possibly lose something the more open society becomes. I think it still teaches a couple to discuss openly anything that is on their mind because avoiding it can just cause more problems.
Posted by: Scott Clark at March 31, 2005 12:43 AMWhat is a "Sacristin for weddings" ?? just curious...
And, oooh, Scott, good point! ;c)
Posted by: moira at March 31, 2005 12:20 PMA Sacristin for Weddings is the person that sets up the mass and assists the priest throughout the ceremony.
And Scott you do make a very good point, but do you think that if couples today read the story it would help them?
I really got annoyed with the "I mean. I mean..."s throughout the dialogue between the two newlyweds. (Mike wrote an entry about the NewlyWeds game show that might seem appropriate to laugh at here...)
These two maybe should've spent some more time "courting" to become more comfortable with each other. Although, rules in dating then as opposed to those that exist (or the lack thereof) today are much, much different. It's more accepted for couples to be affectionate in public (within means) today than it would have been at the time the story was written. Additionally, I'm wondering how long these two had been dating if they were so awkward in being alone together (oxymoron?).
Posted by: Karissa at March 31, 2005 2:37 PMWhere can I get a copy of this, Here we Are?
Thank you
Posted by: Carolyn Goetz at December 13, 2005 3:12 PM