Help!! I need a summary of the sonnet To Science by Poe. I am doing a paper for school, and we have to interpret the poems meaning. Thanks

-- Anonymous, February 26, 2003

Answers

The paradox of new and exciting science in ruining the romance of myth with is incumbent pleasures of ignorance. Poe reworks a quote from a french natural scientist word for word in lines 9-14. Shakespearian sonnet. The three stana argument and summary: First stanza: tur daughter(scientia in Latin is feminine,). Time changes and r=turns all to the past and loss. Vulture to the poet'sheart. Poet asks why me? Secoind stanza:Argument is what'sto love or deem wise in ruining his poetic flight(second bird image) on undaunted wings(vs. science's wings of dull realities). Great contrast in images in this complaint. "Treasure in the jeweled skies" contrasts with what science reveals about astronomy. Very balanced, beautiful and well crafted imagery. Third stanza: Accusation about the death of beautiful myths told metaphorically. Remember vulture metaphor.

Final couplet: His personal loss "and from me" the summer dream beneath the tamarind tree? Perhaps in refenrece to the scientific knowledgeof its scents and spices producing emotional responses in his visionary dream, but it speaks for itself. Contrast to Kilmer's "Trees" "poems are made by fools like me, but only God can make a tree. In this case science is a colder disilusionment, stripping away fancy completely. "The Domain of Arnhem" attempts to re-fantasize nature without its mythical denizens. A lonelier world.

-- Anonymous, February 27, 2003

can you please e-mail me a summary about sonnet to science

thank you it is for my class tomorrow morning i am the readining the poetry now

-- Anonymous, October 13, 2003