Dorothy Parker
Although, Dorothy Parker became an amazing writing legend, she used this ability to mask her lonely struggle with Depression. Dorothy Parkers life began with a conflicted and unhappy childhood. She was born on August 22, 1893 in West End, New Jersey (Biography.com). Her parents J. Henry and Elizabeth Rothschild were thrilled to have a brand new baby girl on their hands. Although, Parkers parents loved her dearly, they could not protect her from the heartbreak that was soon to enter her, oh so “perfect” life. At a young age, Parker lost both her mother and step-mother; her uncle, Martin Rothschild, went down on the titanic in 1912; and her father died the following year. Though out this entire heart ache, she was placed in Catholic
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“If I had any decency I’d be dead. All of my friends are.” Parker spoke. Parker’s depression caused her to write poems so dark and deep with sorrow, such as this famous one: Razors pain you; /Rivers are damp; /Acids stain you; /and drugs cause cramp /Guns aren’t lawful; /Nooses give; /Gas smells awful; / you might as well live. / (poemhunter.com). Death waited another 3 years to finally take parker away though (dorothyparker.com). She was found dead of a Heart Attack in a New York City Hotel on June 6, 1967 (biography.com). She was Seventy-three years of age. Parker had written in her will that she didn’t want a funeral but was given one anyway. Because Parker had no children, she left her earnings to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Having never met the young Civil Right activists, parker had always felt very strongly for social justice. Her death came as a shock to many who loved and cherished her writing, and for that her story never went untold. Parker’s Legend stood strong long after she was gone. After Dr. King’s death all of Parkers earnings rolled over to the NAACP. To this day, the NAACP benefits from the royalty of all Parker publications and productions