The Bird of Paradise (Poem by Edwin John Dove Pratt)

The Bird of Paradise

By Edwin John Dove Pratt

Answer my riddle, will you? Nay,

    Do not toss your head that way,

    With such a ruffle of passion.

I merely asked you who was fleeced

To pay the jeweller and modiste

    For this last word in fashion.

I have a right, if you only knew,

To put this delicate point to you — 

Those sapphires dancing on your crest,

That cluster of rubies on your breast,

That necklace there, those pearls! The price?

Who paid it? Bird of Paradise!

And the only kind of reply that came

Out of that vision of tropical flame

    Was that little ruffle of passion.

A tango of color from scarlet to green

Evolved as I watched the beauty preen

    Her plumes in that maddening fashion.

So I left the Bird of the Garden to call,

This time, upon the Bird of the Hall;

For my temples beat with the throb of fire,

And I could not find in that land of Desire

A cooling wind, or water, or ice

To quench a fever in Paradise.

And the only answer I got in the Hall

Was a glance of repulse from the belle of the Ball,

    With a little ruffle of passion;

Though I had a right to ask, I am sure,

Who sent that tiara for her coiffure,

    And that latest corsage of fashion.

Not those the jewels I gave her to wear,

Not those the drops that hung from her ear;

And my fever burned like a thirst in Sahara,

When that osprey swung above the tiara,

And I knew no wind, nor water, nor ice

Might cool this hell in Paradise.

Poem Analysis:

Edwin John Dove Pratt’s The Bird of Paradise is a richly layered poem that explores themes of desire, materialism, and the elusive nature of beauty. Through a combination of vivid imagery, satirical tone, and symbolic parallels, the poem critiques the superficial allure of wealth and status while delving into the complex interplay of passion and disillusionment.

Themes

1. The Illusion of Paradise: Pratt presents "Paradise" as a seductive yet unreachable ideal. Both the Bird of the Garden and the Bird of the Hall symbolize beauty and opulence, but neither offers the satisfaction the speaker seeks. This points to the fleeting and deceptive nature of human desires, especially those tied to materialism and vanity.
2. Materialism and Exploitation: The speaker’s questioning—“Who paid it?”—suggests an awareness of the hidden cost of luxury. The jewels adorning both the bird and the belle of the ball are symbolic of wealth, but also of exploitation and sacrifice, raising questions about what (or who) has been sacrificed to maintain these illusions of beauty.
3. Unfulfilled Desire and Frustration: The speaker’s unquenched thirst represents the futility of chasing external markers of paradise. The fever that burns within him symbolizes a longing that cannot be satisfied, even in the presence of what appears to be the epitome of beauty and elegance.
4. Satire of High Society: The poem critiques the superficiality of societal elites, represented by the “Bird of the Hall.” Through this critique, Pratt underscores the emptiness of chasing status and wealth, which often leaves individuals hollow and yearning for genuine fulfillment.

Structure and Form

The poem is written in rhymed couplets with a playful, conversational rhythm. This structure mirrors the satirical tone, as it underscores the wit and irony in the speaker’s observations. The rhyme scheme creates a musical quality that contrasts with the deeper disillusionment embedded in the poem’s meaning.

Literary Devices

• Symbolism: 

1. The Bird of Paradise: Symbolizing opulence and allure, the bird represents the unattainable ideal of perfection and beauty. Its extravagant plumage is likened to jewels, emphasizing the connection between nature’s beauty and human materialism.
2. Jewels: The sapphires, rubies, and pearls symbolize wealth and the cost of vanity, suggesting the exploitation behind outward glamour.
3. Fever and Thirst: These represent unfulfilled desire and the torment of seeking satisfaction in the wrong places.

• Personification: The bird’s “ruffle of passion” and its “preening” are anthropomorphic, giving it human traits to emphasize its connection to human vanity and self-absorption.
• Imagery: Pratt employs vivid imagery to evoke the dazzling beauty of the Bird of Paradise: “A tango of color from scarlet to green.” This phrase captures the hypnotic allure of the bird’s plumage, likening its beauty to a dance of colors.
• Irony: The poem is steeped in irony, particularly in the speaker’s realization that the objects of his desire—the bird and the belle—offer nothing but frustration. Despite their beauty and allure, neither satisfies his longing or quells his fever.
• Contrast: The juxtaposition of natural beauty (the Bird of the Garden) with artificial beauty (the Bird of the Hall) highlights the universality of superficial allure, whether found in nature or society. Yet both forms of beauty ultimately prove hollow, leaving the speaker disillusioned.

Interpretation of Key Elements

• “Who paid it? Bird of Paradise!”: This rhetorical question underscores the exploitation and hidden cost behind beauty. It suggests that the pursuit of luxury and glamour often comes at a moral or physical price, whether in nature or society.
• “A tango of color from scarlet to green”: This line encapsulates the hypnotic allure of the Bird of Paradise’s plumage, drawing attention to the seductive yet transient nature of beauty.
• “And I knew no wind, nor water, nor ice / Might cool this hell in Paradise”: This climactic line reflects the speaker’s ultimate realization that his feverish longing—symbolizing human desires—cannot be satisfied, even in the presence of perceived perfection. The “hell in Paradise” suggests that even the most beautiful ideals can turn into torment when they remain unfulfilled.

Satirical Commentary on Society

The Bird of Paradise is not merely a meditation on beauty but also a critique of the materialistic and superficial tendencies of society. The belle of the ball, with her jewels and fashionable attire, represents the artifice of high society. Her adornments, like the bird’s plumage, are symbols of wealth and vanity, masking any genuine depth or authenticity. The speaker’s frustration reflects the hollowness of chasing these societal ideals.

Philosophical Undertones

The poem grapples with existential questions about the nature of beauty and desire. It suggests that beauty, whether natural or artificial, is inherently elusive and incapable of providing lasting fulfillment. The fever and thirst that plague the speaker reflect the human condition: a perpetual yearning for something more, even in the presence of life’s most dazzling offerings.

Edwin John Dove Pratt’s The Bird of Paradise is a multi-layered exploration of beauty, desire, and disillusionment. Through vivid imagery, biting satire, and symbolic parallels, the poem critiques the superficial allure of wealth and status while capturing the torment of unfulfilled longing. The Bird of Paradise and the belle of the ball, though radiant, leave the speaker fevered and unsatisfied, illustrating the ephemeral and deceptive nature of human aspirations. Ultimately, the poem serves as a poignant reminder that true fulfillment cannot be found in outward appearances but must be sought elsewhere—perhaps within.