“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 wanderingTo 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 woodTo seek a shelter in some happier star?Hast thou not torn the Naiad from her flood,The Elfin from the green grass, and from meThe summer dream beneath the tamarind tree?”
Quote Analysis
In this quote from Edgar Allen Poe's poem "Sonnet - To Science," the speaker personifies Science as a destructive force that disrupts the beauty and magic of the natural world. The speaker laments the intrusion of science into the realms of poetry and mythology, accusing it of robbing him of his dreams and inspirations. Through vivid imagery and metaphor, Poe criticizes the utilitarian and rationalistic approach of science, contrasting it with the whimsical and imaginative realm of poetry. The speaker illustrates his disdain for science by portraying it as a vulture preying on the heart of the poet, stripping away the fantastical elements of nature that inspire creativity and wonder. This conflict between the objective pursuit of knowledge and the subjective experience of beauty and emotion is a central theme in Poe's work, reflecting a Romantic era concern with the relationship between reason and emotion.
Modern Relevance:
In this poem, Edgar Allan Poe laments the way in which science can disrupt and dismantle the beauty and wonder of poetic imagination. This conflict between the arts and sciences is still relevant today, as advances in technology and scientific understanding can sometimes come at the expense of mystery and magic in the world. The poem serves as a reminder of the importance of balancing logical inquiry with the preservation of imagination and creativity.
Edgar Allen Poe's Reflection on 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?”
Reflection Questions
In this poem, Edgar Allen Poe questions the impact of science on art and the natural world. Reflect on the following questions to delve deeper into the themes presented in the poem:
- How does Poe portray the conflict between science and art in this poem?
- What do you think Poe is trying to convey about the relationship between knowledge and imagination?
- How does the imagery of the vulture and dull realities symbolize the intrusion of science on the poet's creativity?
- Do you agree with the poet's sentiment that science disrupts the beauty and wonder of the natural world?
- Consider how advancements in science have shaped our understanding of the world. Do you believe there is a balance that can be struck between scientific progress and preserving the magic and mystery of nature?
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