Satire In Dorothy Parker's An Arrangement In Black And White

The short story written by Dorothy Parker, “An Arrangement in Black and White”, contains a lot of satirical writing. Most satirical writing is about politics and propaganda. In this story, we get to experience, in a way, that kind of satirical writing. Dorothy Parker creates a character who is too afraid to admit that she is racist. In an attempt to convince herself, the remarks she makes about the black musician at the party, seem funny at first and then you think of the real meaning. You then come to realize just how harsh this lady is. Also, how naive she is about her own beliefs. She is willing to admit that her husband, Mr. Burton is racist, however not herself.

The lady in this short story, is attending a party. At this party, there is a black musician, who she claims to be her favorite. She explains to the host; “Well I said to Burton, ‘It’s a good for you that Walter Williams is coloured,’ I said, ‘or you’d have lots of reason to be jealous.’(Parker 2). At first this statement seems okay, until you analyse and think about what
“Good Heavens,”she said,”is that Katherine Burke? why, she looks entirely different off the stage. I thought she was much better-looking. I had no idea she was so terribly dark.”(Parker 6). This statement contains satire because, at first it is kinda funny, we assume she is just calling the actress ugly in person rather than on stage. Then, we come to realize she is also talking about her skin colour and how her darker skin makes her uglier. The judgemental woman is saying that she thought the black woman was pretty until she saw her skin colour. I think, she should admire that the young lady is a good actress, rather than simply focusing on her skin tone. However, she is racist yet naive about it, so she’s trying to hide her feelings towards the black people by saying that she isn’t as pretty as she