Poem Analysis - Reason

Rumi's "Reason" is a profound exploration of the limitations of earthly strategies when attempting to connect with or comprehend the divine. The poem unfolds as a series of renunciations, where the voice of "Reason" acknowledges the futility of traditional methods of persuasion and manipulation. The tone starts with a confident assertion, but gradually shifts to one of humility and surrender as Reason confronts the inaccessibility of the beloved. The poem's final lines offer a glimmer of hope, suggesting that true connection lies not in deceptive tactics, but in the genuine relationship between the divine and its chosen ones.

The Futility of Earthly Wiles

A central theme in "Reason" is the inadequacy of worldly methods to reach a being who transcends earthly desires and limitations. Each stanza presents a different form of temptation or manipulation—flattery, wine, physical beauty, wealth, worldly gain, even expressions of sorrow—only to dismiss it as irrelevant. The poem repeatedly uses the phrase "that I should beguile him with," highlighting the speaker's initial intent to use deception, but ultimately underscoring the impossibility of such a strategy. The repetition of this phrase emphasizes Reason's struggle and eventual capitulation.

Transcendence and the Divine

The poem develops the theme of divine transcendence by portraying the beloved as beyond the reach of earthly concerns. He is described as an "angel, though in form he is a man," not bound by the desires that typically motivate human behavior. He doesn't seek pleasure ("not lustful"), wealth ("not prisoner of the world"), or fame ("not a seeker of fame"). His needs are simple ("his food is light"), and his perspective is vast ("he flies on wings"). These descriptions paint a picture of a being who exists on a higher plane, making traditional methods of persuasion utterly ineffective. The poem insists that the divine's essence is inherently incompatible with the shallow and self-serving strategies employed in the mundane world.

Humility as the Path to Connection

As the poem progresses, a theme of humility and surrender emerges. Reason, initially confident in its ability to "beguile him with the tongue," gradually recognizes its limitations. The lines "I will bind my head and bow my head, for I have got out of hand; I will not beguile his compassion with sickness or fluttering," mark a turning point. Reason abandons its manipulative tactics and embraces a posture of submission. The recognition that "Hair by hair he sees my crookedness and feigning" signifies a complete transparency before the divine, a realization that any attempt at deception is futile. This surrender, this relinquishing of control, becomes the only viable path to a potential connection.

Imagery of Flight and Form

The poem uses vivid imagery to contrast the earthly and the divine. The image of the beloved "fly[ing] on wings" symbolizes his freedom from earthly constraints and his connection to a higher realm. This image contrasts sharply with the imagery of being "fettered to this world of earth," which represents the limitations of those who are bound by worldly desires. The recurring image of "form" is complex. While the beloved appears in "form" as a man, the angels avoid any house where "this form is," suggesting that even the outer appearance is misleading. The imagery underscores the idea that true connection requires looking beyond superficial appearances and recognizing the divine essence within.

A Final Hope: Love and Divine Grace

Rumi's "Reason" concludes with a subtle yet powerful message of hope. While Reason admits its inability to reach the divine through manipulation, it hints at the possibility of connection through "Shams-e Tabriz, who is his chosen and beloved." This final line suggests that divine grace and the love between the divine and its chosen ones may be the only paths to true understanding and connection. Perhaps the poem is saying that logic and reason alone cannot achieve spiritual union, but that love and divine selection are necessary components.