|
Poet: Edgar Allan Poe (Edgar Allan Poe Art)
Poem: Sonnet - To Science
Year: Published/Written in 1829
Comment 14 of 14, added on November 4th, 2009 at 2:49 PM.
Lianna is absolutely correct. Following up on Edgar Allan Poe's thesis, how can anyone any longer wax poetic about Selene when Apollo 11 showed her to be a mere huge, lifeless lump of rock enslaved to the "dull reality" of the Force of Gravity?
Eduardo Freire Canosa from Spain
Comment 13 of 14, added on July 3rd, 2009 at 10:42 PM.
Edgar is saying in this peom that science is taking the mystery and beauty of out life. He doesn't know how these scientists could be loved or considered wise when they ruin everything for poets and writers. He uses classical allusions to mythology. Edgar is not referring to Princess Diana in this peom... he is using an allusion to Diana in mythology and how she is no longer riding her chariot because scientist have proven that wrong and ripped her out, just like the mermaids of the ocean. Edgar is trying to say how could anyone think science is wonderful when it takes all the beauty and imagination out of the world.
Lianna from United States
Comment 12 of 14, added on June 12th, 2009 at 12:03 AM.
Connotatively, I think Edgar Allan Poe, is simply rebuking science as a destroyer of nature. "...who (science)alterest all things with thy peering eyes" The poet blames scientists for their inquisitiveness into nature. The imagery of vulture in the poem underscores how he detests science and what it does; vulture epitomizes,ugliness,scanvenger,filth,it connotes evil. The poet sees science in that light. Since science is factual,objective,probable,science therefore,is opposition to poetry which is subjective, imaginative and improbable;hence science and literary art are opposition. "how would he (poet) love thee?(science)...who wouldst not leave him (poet) in his wandering to seek for treasures in the jewelled skies..." It is only in literary works of art this is visible where a poet or writer can seek and find treasures in the skies filled with jewelleries to suit his imagination. The poet persona is lamenting that even such a harmless imagination by the poet is not permissible by science because scientists would dispute with facts that skies contains water, cloud etc but not treasures. "Has thou(scientists)not dragged Diana from her car..." The poet is concern that even the general mythology that Diana rides on chariots as the goddess of the moon, have been disproved by science. "...has thou not torn Naiad(mermaid)from her flood" In order word, science has rendered all the mythology surrounding nature as false with their 'peering' eyes (telescope,microscope etc). The universal theory that beneath the oceans are mermaids which writers explore; scientists have gone there with their cameras to prove that no mermaids or sea goddess lives there. "...and from me the summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?". The poet persona is worried that science being a disruptive element to nature is also inimical to him as a poet to write from his imagination under the serenity of a tropical tree without wondering if science will not disaprove of his imagination.
Bolaji Sobande from Nigeria
Are you looking for more information on this poem? Perhaps you are trying to analyze it? The poem, Sonnet - To Science, has received 14 comments. Click here to read them, and perhaps post a comment of your own. Of course you can also always discuss poems by Edgar Allan Poe with others on the American Poems poetry forum!
|
Comments
Lianna is absolutely correct. Following up on Edgar Allan Poe's thesis, how can anyone any longer wax poetic about Selene when Apollo 11 showed her to be a mere huge, lifeless lump of rock enslaved to the "dull reality" of the Force of Gravity?
Eduardo Freire Canosa from Spain