Edgar Allan Poe is an American author and poet who was
heavily influenced by the Romantic Movement in literature during the 19th
century. Written during the time of the Industrial Revolution in America,
“Sonnet: To Science” is the embodiment of romanticism ideals: to revolt against
the Age of Enlightenment’s ideals and the prominence of the scientific
rationalization of nature. Through the use of figurative language, including
personification, metaphor, and symbols, Poe uses a traditional English sonnet
to create a declaration of accusation against Science.
