Poem Analysis - To

A Song of Beauty and Despair

Edgar Allan Poe's "To." is a short, evocative poem that explores the speaker's complex feelings toward a beloved. The poem begins with an idealized vision of the subject, brimming with beauty and joy. However, a shadow of sorrow quickly descends, transforming the initial adoration into a contemplation of loss and the limitations of material wealth. The tone shifts from joyful admiration to melancholic reflection, culminating in a wistful acknowledgment of what cannot be obtained through worldly possessions.

Love's Ideal and Its Downfall

One central theme is the idealization of love and its inevitable clash with reality. The opening stanza paints a picture of perfection: the beloved's "lips" are compared to "bowers" filled with "wantonest singing birds," suggesting a source of endless joy and inspiration. However, this idealized image is quickly juxtaposed with the harshness of the speaker's "funereal mind" in the second stanza. The beloved's eyes, once "enshrined" in the "Heaven of heart," now cast a "desolate" light, like "starlight on a pall," symbolizing the death of hope and the encroaching darkness of despair. This stark contrast highlights the fragility of idealized love and its susceptibility to the harsh realities of life.

The Pervasiveness of Sorrow

The theme of sorrow and melancholic reflection permeates the poem. The shift in tone from the first to the second stanza is pivotal. The phrase "desolately fall, / O God! on my funereal mind" underscores the speaker's deep-seated unhappiness. The image of "starlight on a pall" is particularly powerful, suggesting a glimmer of beauty overshadowed by death and mourning. Even the light of the stars, usually associated with hope, becomes a reminder of the speaker's somber state. This consistent imagery of darkness and despair emphasizes the poem's overarching theme of sorrow, reflecting a common motif in Poe's work.

The Futility of Material Wealth

The poem also touches upon the theme of the limitations of material wealth in the final stanza. The speaker states that he dreams "Of the truth that gold can never buy - / Of the baubles that it may." This suggests a longing for something deeper and more meaningful than what can be acquired through money. The word "baubles" implies that material possessions are mere trifles, incapable of satisfying the speaker's deeper needs. This stanza underscores the idea that true fulfillment lies beyond the realm of material wealth, hinting at emotional or spiritual desires that remain unfulfilled.

Symbolic Eyes and Lips

The poem uses recurring symbols to convey its message. The eyes of the beloved, described as being "in Heaven of heart enshrined", initially embody a divine, cherished presence. However, their subsequent "desolate" fall signifies a loss of that divinity, suggesting a disillusionment or a perceived betrayal. Conversely, the lips, initially associated with beautiful melodies, could represent both the joy of communication and the potential for deception. The ambiguity lies in whether these "lip-begotten words" are genuine expressions of love or empty promises. Does this suggest the speakers distrust or is he only focusing on himself?

A Final Reflection on Loss

In conclusion, "To." is a poignant exploration of idealized love, the pervasiveness of sorrow, and the limitations of material wealth. Through vivid imagery and shifts in tone, Poe creates a powerful portrait of a speaker grappling with loss and disillusionment. The poem's significance lies in its ability to capture the complex emotions associated with love and the realization that true fulfillment cannot be bought or easily attained, offering a glimpse into the depths of human longing and the bittersweet nature of beauty and sorrow.