Big Blonde

Fiction | Short Story | Adult | Published in 1929

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Summary

Background

Story Analysis

Character Analysis

Themes

Symbols & Motifs

Literary Devices

Important Quotes

Essay Topics

Background

Authorial Context: Dorothy Parker

“Big Blonde” is often considered Dorothy Parker’s most autobiographical work because of the many parallels between the protagonist, Hazel Morse, and Parker herself. Like Hazel, Parker had an alcohol addiction, had short, unsuccessful marriages, and attempted death by suicide. Several other similarities are evident if one looks a bit further—for example, ties to the garment industry: Early in the story, Hazel is a dress model; Parker, the daughter of a garment manufacturer, was very familiar with the garment industry herself.

Additionally, Parker’s marriage to her first husband, Eddie Parker, was marked by bouts of excessive drinking and frequent fights, like Hazel’s marriage to Herbie Morse. Like Hazel, at one point Parker had a black eye after one of their more physical altercations. After the dissolution of her marriage, Parker had numerous affairs, another similarity to Hazel. Additionally, Parker experienced periods of severe depression throughout her life, just as Hazel does.

Many specific details in “Big Blonde” mirror Parker’s life as well. For example, when Hazel learns about the life-ending potential of the sedative veronal from an acquaintance, she devises an elaborate scheme to obtain the drug, which is illegal in New York. She travels to New Jersey and visits different pharmacies to nonchalantly purchase the narcotic without attracting attention. Parker was drawing on her own experience here; she, too, traveled to New Jersey to obtain veronal, adding items like emery boards and powder to her purchases to make them seem like casual transactions rather than attempts to stockpile dangerous pills (Meade, Marion. Dorothy Parker: What Fresh Hell Is This? Penguin, 1989).

These well-documented similarities add a sense of authenticity to the story given that they reflect Parker’s own lived experiences. However, Hazel Morse lacks the keen curiosity, intelligence, and sharp wit that drove Parker throughout her lifetime.

Sociohistorical Context: Prohibition and the Right to Vote

Two pieces of legislation had a major impact on society during the period in which this story is set. The 18th amendment, ratified in 1919, initiated the start of Prohibition. The passing of the 19th amendment, which granted women the right to vote, followed a year later. The effects of both these constitutional amendments are evident in the interactions and exchanges of the characters in “Big Blonde.”

The fact that it was difficult to legally obtain alcohol, however, doesn’t seem to impact the story’s characters, most of whom partake often and liberally of the banned substance. In fact, the story contains only one mention of Prohibition: “Prohibition [Hazel] regarded only as a basis for jokes. You could always get all you wanted” (16). One significant reason that alcohol is so readily available to Hazel and her acquaintances is the existence of speakeasies—unlicensed establishments that aren’t open to the public. Jimmy’s, the bar that Ed introduces Hazel to, is one such establishment. Jimmy’s is one of the “small, recent restaurants occupying the lower floors of shabby brownstone houses; places where, upon mentioning the name of an [sic] habitué friend, might be obtained some strange whiskey and fresh gin in many of their ramifications” (16).

During Prohibition, women, who now had the right to vote, became more empowered. Women during this time were more involved in the workforce, taking the jobs left vacant by men who were away fighting in World War I. Women were now more independent and were now earning paychecks. As a result, women were often targeted by shrewd advertisers, who saw potential profits in women’s new earning power and their ability to spend money on products like rouge and lipstick. In addition, women began to spend less time tied to the home and more time frequenting establishments—like Jimmy’s—that were formerly the domain of men (Prohibition: An Interactive History).