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Structure
The third quatrain, accuses Science of spoiling some beautiful myths, such as that of Diana and the Hamadryad. Finally, the concluding couplet reveals the reason for the persona’s lament; here, with the poem’s only first-person pronoun, the persona focuses attention on himself, accusing Science of depriving him of his reverie.
Sonnet: To Science
By Edgar Allan Poe
A Presentation by Neeta Dixit (Roll No. 06D02016)e (1809 – 1849) was an American poet, short-story writer, editor and literary critic, and is considered part of the American Romantic Movement. • Romanticism is a complex artistic, literary, and intellectual movement that originated in the second half of the 18th century in Western Europe, and gained strength during the Industrial Revolution. It was partly a revolt against aristocratic social and political norms of the Age of Enlightenment and a reaction against the scientific rationalization of nature, and was embodied most strongly in the visual arts, music, and literature.
He calls science, a true daughter of Old Time who changes all things by looking at them with peering eyes and inflicts emotional damage upon the vulnerable poet and a vulture, focused on dull reality. Here Poe compares science to a “true daughter of Old Time” and a “Vulture.” Both comparisons help make a case against science and cast it in a negative light. The reference to time reminds the reader of death and decay, both of which come with time. Without time, after all, there would be no reason to worry about deadlines and responsibilities, and one could devote oneself completely to reverie. The reference to a vulture, similarly, conjures up the connotations of death and decay while completing the image in the previous line of science devouring the heart of the poet.
Importance of the work
First published in 1829,it was written while Poe was in the Army. This is considered the best of his early poems written in the Army. It is symbolic of an important transformation in Poe's style and attitude. It's sonnet form shows Poe's poetic maturity and discipline. The subject matter reveals that Poe was entering the world of science, which he would later master. Before, his education and attention had been in classics and history.
Theme
He implores Science as to why “she” must impose her “dull realities” on the hearts of poets like himself, squelching their wandering minds. He questions the desertion of imagination by the objective force of science. He is inclined to avoid logic in his argument, although the classic sonnet structure implies his own attempt to rationalize his own thoughts. Perhaps the structure contrasted with such feelings further insinuates humanity's paradoxical need for organization in every field of thought.
Sonnet: To Science
Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art! Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes. Why preyest thou thus upon the poet's heart, Vulture, whose wings are dull realities? How should he love thee? or how deem thee wise? Who wouldst not leave him in his wandering To seek for treasure in the jewelled skies, Albeit he soared with an undaunted wing? Hast thou not dragged Diana from her car? And driven the Hamadryad from the wood To seek a shelter in some happier star? Hast thou not torn the Naiad from her flood, The Elfin from the green grass, and from me The summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?
• Poet = "he" of "How should he love thee?"
• “Science! true daughter of Old Time thou art! Who alterest all things with thy peering eyes. Why preyest thou thus upon the poet's heart, Vulture, whose wings are dull realities? “
Meanings and References
• Science = daughter of Old Time = vulture = the "thee" of "How should he love thee?" = the "who" of "Who wouldst not leave him in his wandering".
Structure
Sonnet: The term "sonnet" derives from the Provencal word "sonet" and the Italian word "sonetto," both meaning "little song". A sonnet now is a poem of fourteen lines that follows a strict rhyme scheme and specific structure. The conventions associated with the sonnet have however evolved over its history. Following the tradition of the English sonnet, this poem contains three quatrains and a concluding couplet. The first quatrain,condemns Science as a “true daughter of Old Time” and as a “Vulture” that “preyest . . . upon the poet’s heart” The second quatrain, poses rhetorical questions asking how a poet could like, respect, or join Science .
