Rita Dove’s poem “Parsley” tells a heartbreaking story of a brutal time in history. It’s about a real dictator, Rafael Trujillo, who ruled the Dominican Republic.1 Trujillo did terrible things, and one of the worst was ordering the deaths of thousands of people from Haiti.2 This poem focuses on how those innocent people were killed, just because of how they spoke.
Dove’s poem uses powerful words and images to help us understand this awful event.3 We’ll look closely at the poem to see how she describes the death of El General’s mother and what it means in the bigger picture of the story.
The Dominican Parsley Massacre: A Historical Overview
To understand “Parsley,” we need to know about the Parsley Massacre. In 1937, Trujillo wanted to get rid of Haitians living in the Dominican Republic.4 He ordered his soldiers to kill anyone they thought was Haitian.
But how could they tell who was Dominican and who was Haitian? The soldiers used a simple test: they would hold up a sprig of parsley and ask people to say the Spanish word for it, “perejil.” Dominicans pronounce the word with a rolled “r” sound, while Haitians pronounce it differently. If someone couldn’t roll their “r,” they were killed. This horrible event is a dark stain on history.
“Parsley” by Rita Dove: A Poetic Exploration
Rita Dove’s poem “Parsley” is divided into two parts: “The Cane Fields” and “The Palace.”5 The poem jumps between the perspectives of the victims in the cane fields and the dictator, Trujillo, in his palace.6 Let’s look at each part to see how Dove uses language to paint a vivid picture of this tragedy.
The Cane Fields
In this section, Dove focuses on the experiences of the Haitian workers. They work tirelessly under the hot sun, cutting sugarcane. Dove uses strong imagery to show us their suffering:
“The cane appears to haunt them, a green machete hacked from the earth that grows back thicker, with a rustling voice.”
These lines give the cane a life of its own. It’s like a monster that keeps coming back no matter how hard the workers try to cut it down. This shows the never-ending struggle of their lives.
Dove also talks about the fear the workers feel, knowing that death could come at any moment.7 They are constantly looking over their shoulders, wondering if they will be the next to be tested with the “perejil” test.
The Palace
In this section, we see the world through Trujillo’s eyes. He is obsessed with power and control. He sees himself as a god-like figure, and the Haitian workers are just insignificant ants to him.
Dove describes Trujillo’s luxurious life in the palace, contrasting it with the suffering of the workers in the fields. This highlights the huge gap between the rich and the poor, the powerful and the powerless.
Trujillo is haunted by the memory of his mother. He remembers her hands, which were “small and coarse,” like those of the Haitian workers. This connection disturbs him, as it challenges his belief in his own superiority.
How Did El General’s Mother Die in “Parsley”?
Now, let’s get to the heart of the question: how did El General’s mother die in “Parsley”? While the poem doesn’t explicitly state the cause of her death, it provides clues that suggest she may have died in childbirth.
Here’s what we can gather from the poem:
- Trujillo’s Obsession with his Mother: Trujillo is fixated on his mother’s memory. He remembers her hands, her smell, and the way she looked. This intense focus on his mother indicates a deep emotional connection, perhaps rooted in a traumatic experience related to her death.
- The Image of the “Swollen Belly”: Dove uses the image of a “swollen belly” when describing Trujillo’s mother. This could be a reference to pregnancy.
- The Theme of Life and Death: The poem constantly juxtaposes images of life (the cane fields, the parrot) with images of death (the massacre, the blood).8 This theme reinforces the idea that Trujillo’s mother’s death may have been connected to childbirth, a process that involves both life and death.
| Clue from the Poem | Possible Interpretation |
|---|---|
| Trujillo’s obsession with his mother’s memory | Suggests a traumatic experience related to her death |
| The image of the “swollen belly” | Could be a reference to pregnancy |
| The theme of life and death | Reinforces the idea that her death may have been connected to childbirth |
Though the poem doesn’t confirm this, it’s a plausible interpretation. Childbirth was a dangerous event in the past, and many women died from complications.9 If Trujillo’s mother died this way, it could explain his complex feelings about his identity and his cruelty towards the Haitians. He may be projecting his unresolved grief and trauma onto them.
The Significance of “Parsley”
“Parsley” is more than just a poem about a historical event. It explores themes of:
- Race and Prejudice: The massacre was based on racial discrimination. Trujillo’s regime used a language test to identify and eliminate people of Haitian descent.
- Power and Oppression: The poem shows how power can corrupt, and how those in power can abuse it to oppress others.
- Memory and Trauma: Trujillo’s obsession with his mother’s memory and the trauma of her death may be driving his actions.
- The Power of Language: The poem highlights how language can be used as a tool of both oppression and resistance.
Conclusion: Understanding the Tragedy
Rita Dove’s “Parsley” is a powerful reminder of the horrors of prejudice and the abuse of power. While the poem doesn’t explicitly state how El General’s mother died, it suggests that her death, possibly in childbirth, may have had a profound impact on Trujillo, shaping his actions and contributing to the tragedy of the Parsley Massacre.
Through vivid imagery and contrasting perspectives, Dove invites us to reflect on the complexities of history and the enduring consequences of hatred and violence.
FAQs
Is “Parsley” based on a true story?
Yes, “Parsley” is based on the Parsley Massacre, a real historical event that occurred in 1937 in the Dominican Republic.10
What is the meaning of the title “Parsley”?
The title refers to the “perejil” test used by Trujillo’s soldiers to identify Haitians based on their pronunciation of the Spanish word for parsley.
Why did Trujillo order the massacre of Haitians?
Trujillo wanted to “purify” the Dominican Republic by eliminating people of Haitian descent.11 He used racial prejudice and economic factors to justify his actions.
What is the significance of the two sections in the poem?
The two sections, “The Cane Fields” and “The Palace,” offer contrasting perspectives on the massacre.12 “The Cane Fields” focuses on the victims’ experiences, while “The Palace” explores Trujillo’s mindset.
What are some of the major themes explored in “Parsley”?
“Parsley” explores themes of race, prejudice, power, oppression, memory, trauma, and the power of language.