Blanche Farley's Parody

Poet, Blanche Farley in his parody poem “A Lover Not Taken” published in 1984 address the topic of how the mind is influenced by emotions. He molds his poem after Robert Frost’s famous “A Road Not Taken” and incorporates a modern take to take the audience through the uneasy journey of the woman deciding between two different lovers. Through the use of diction, style, and imagery molded after Robert Frost, Blanche Farley demonstrates in her modernized parody “A Lover Not Taken” how emotions blur logic.
The woman wishes to be with both men, however, Farley’s word choice suggests her inclination to choose someone new over someone good. As the speaker of the poem describes each man - Jack, an understanding and faithful man versus Blondie, a good

looking individual who successfully “turns her on,” - a reader may foreshadow the woman’s allegiance to Jack. He appears to exemplify the ideal man in a relationship, but her desires do not appear to be fully satisfied. She no longer regards Jack with romantic feelings, because she seeks Blondie’s adventure while holding on to Jack’s faith; “ [Jack’s] long, lithe frame beside hers in the evening tenderly lay. Still, if this Blondie guy dropped by someday, couldn’t way just lead on to way?” The poet’s style to utilize diction amplifies Jack’s goodness and the woman’s choice.
Key to demonstrating the woman’s inability to decide security over infatuation is the author’s use of a third person perspective.

Farley expands upon the poem’s descriptive style on the woman’s dilemma, ultimately directly influencing the audience to see the narrator’s opinion - Jack over Blondie. The poem begins with the woman shuffling indecisively around about Blondie and Jack. In this particular order, one is described primarily around on his looks, while the other is described primarily on his character. As a result, Blondie can only be based on his appearance; “this new guy… she likes his hair, his smile”. The narrator avoids to include his name and gives him any depth to him for the audience to see why he is a valid enough reason for the woman to leave Jack. Blondie’s case is weaker in context, thus weakening him in the audience’s eyes. Jack’s persona conveys everlasting love, a common desire by many individuals. Through this, the speaker successfully associates love to happiness. When comparing Farley’s modern take on Frost’s poem, the differences originates from their speakers. “A Road Not Taken” illustrates a man deciding between two roads with a metaphoric coating of uncertainty and regret. Farley’s poem, on the contrary, tackles an exact a modern day example of love affairs. The author is able to describe how the woman’s emotions will impact her in a specific manner and thus magnifying the poem’s tone. As the poem furthers and the decision to choose Jack seems right, Farley includes the following phrase: “to be perfectly fair,”. This is clear evidence that the speaker and the woman have different opinions on who is the much more

worthy.
Another essential device utilized by Farley is imagery. Throughout “The Lover Not Taken”, he efficiently creates an image of how to bias the woman becomes from her emotions. The entire poem maintains a distressed tone beginning with her standing alone on the road, “loathe to leave, wanting to hide in the undergrowth…” With the help of key diction and the organization of the stanzas, each line helps build upon the fact that an urgent matter is occurring and the undecided is have a life-changing moment. Details following the men and their role in her life aid the emotional connection to form. Jack is easier to sympathize towards due to his noted faithfulness and highly potential response if he found out that his partner cheated on him; “For if way led on and Jack found out, she doubted if he would ever come back.” Furthermore, a crucial, final point is found in the following line that finalizes how the woman is feeling through her circumstance: “With that in mind, she took a fast way home, the road by the pond, and phoned the blond.” The “road by the pond” is a metaphor for her burden. She has chosen Blondie, however as she takes on to pursue after her decisions, regret will remain with her with a curiosity how life with Jack would have turn out. The woman showcases her consideration towards each man for their individual characteristics, however, the audience’s emotional connection is drawn out for Jack. This is the author’s influence upon the audience to present who is the better choice and overall man.
. Blanche Farley’s parody poem “A Lover Not Taken” develops its story line similar to Robert Frost’s, however, takes a much specific message. The main character to Farley’s work is utilized to showcase that despite one’s has security in life, it is not the most pleasing. All through the poem, diction, style, and imagery captures the unsettling moment and delivers a well-rounded message of affection and understanding.