Interpretation

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Can anyone give a concise interpretation of "A Dream Within A Dream" ?

I read it but do nto understand it.

Thank you, TCallis

-- Anonymous, December 09, 2003

Answers

if you can't grasp the concept don't even ask. obviously you're inept to such ways of thinking. perhaps you should just read things like Britney Spears's autobiography, our Jewel's book of poetry.

-- Anonymous, December 10, 2003

That's a really cruel answer! Someone has no heart. I'm actually analyzing that particular poem for my major project this semester...once I have that complete I'll post it on here.

-- Anonymous, December 11, 2003

It suggests to me the despair of a person who wants to know what is 'real.' Consider the image of being able to grasp only a very few grains of sand while standing on a beach full of the stuff. There's a frustration here that so much seems evident, seems within reach, and yet when we examine what we can grasp about the world around us, it seems to be very little. And our grip on it is, at best, tenunous.

I leave it to you to work out what other meanings the ocean waves are meant to stand in for. :)

- Michael

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2003


See Poe's other poems on dreams, distinguishing his comparison of life to a "waking dream" which is clearest yet most deceiving and ended utterly by the near dawn. Poe deeply values his Muse whcih gives an almost supernatural contact witha strange beauty. His hopes for the future, his memories, his loved ones, in time all fade with nothing of the Muse, of his hopes, or his faith in the afterlife being of any comfort at the relentless flight of time.

He stands on the shore(Annable Lee) to confront this ruthless dividew where all these issues meet and are bounded. It is his present disintegrating trap and he must wonder if anything has, will have existence or value even though the memories continue to obsees him to the point of pain and rebellion. It is nearly an existentialist complaint and comforts of the afterlife come to no longer suffice, especially at the death of his wife.

The structure of the poem is neatly rhetorical, diivided into a visual progress like that of "Alone". First he addresses and parts from the woman to whom he addresses his response, then goes to the shore to exemplify his poetical place in reality, which far from romantically enjoying the melancholy, is increasingly rebellious and desperate. In this Job-like cry there is no divine answer.

-- Anonymous, December 12, 2003


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