'Sonnet (Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research )' by Rupert Brooke


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Not with vain tears, when we're beyond the sun,
We'll beat on the substantial doors, nor tread
Those dusty high-roads of the aimless dead
Plaintive for Earth; but rather turn and run
Down some close-covered by-way of the air,
Some low sweet alley between wind and wind,
Stoop under faint gleams, thread the shadows, find
Some whispering ghost-forgotten nook, and there

Spend in pure converse our eternal day;
Think each in each, immediately wise;
Learn all we lacked before; hear, know, and say
What this tumultuous body now denies;
And feel, who have laid our groping hands away;
And see, no longer blinded by our eyes.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Sonnet (Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research) by Rupert Brooke

What is the true nature of reality? This question has been asked by philosophers, scientists, and poets throughout the ages. In his sonnet, "Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research," Rupert Brooke explores this question and delves into the idea of the supernatural and the unknown.

Overview

At first glance, this sonnet appears to be a conversation between two friends discussing the possibility of supernatural phenomena. However, upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that the true subject of this poem is the nature of human perception and the limitations of our understanding of the world.

The poem begins with a description of a "strange friend" who believes in ghosts and other supernatural beings. The speaker of the poem is skeptical of these beliefs and questions the evidence for their existence. The friend responds by asking the speaker to open his mind and consider the possibility that there are things beyond our understanding.

The poem then takes a turn as the speaker begins to question his own perceptions and understanding of reality. He wonders if there are things that exist beyond our five senses, and if our understanding of the world is limited by our own perceptions. The poem ends with the speaker admitting that he does not have the answers to these questions, but that the search for understanding is a worthwhile endeavor.

Analysis

One of the most striking features of this sonnet is its use of language. Brooke's language is simple and straightforward, yet it contains a depth of meaning that is not immediately apparent. For example, the friend's belief in the supernatural is described as "strange," which suggests that it is outside the norm of what is considered acceptable or rational. However, this word also implies a sense of wonder and mystery, which is at the heart of the poem's theme.

Another notable aspect of the poem is its use of imagery. Brooke uses images of the natural world and the supernatural to create a sense of contrast between the two. For example, the friend's beliefs are compared to the "white faces of the lilies," which suggests something pure and otherworldly. This contrast between the natural and the supernatural highlights the idea that there are things that exist beyond our understanding.

The poem's structure is also worth noting. It is a traditional Shakespearean sonnet, which consists of fourteen lines with a rhyme scheme of ABAB CDCD EFEF GG. This form is often used for love poems, but Brooke uses it to explore a more philosophical theme. This juxtaposition of form and content adds to the poem's depth and complexity.

Interpretation

At its core, this sonnet is about the limits of human understanding. Brooke uses the friend's belief in the supernatural as a metaphor for the unknown and the mysterious. The speaker's skepticism represents our tendency to rely on what we can see, hear, touch, taste, and smell as the only sources of knowledge.

However, the poem suggests that there are things that exist beyond our understanding, and that our senses may not be able to detect them. This idea is reflected in the line "Are there not things more strange than philosophy?" which suggests that there are things that cannot be explained by reason alone.

The sonnet also raises questions about the nature of reality. The speaker wonders if the world we perceive is the only reality, or if there are other dimensions or planes of existence that we cannot perceive. This idea is echoed in the line "And if within ourselves we find a power / Each faculty of eye and ear to cheat."

Ultimately, the poem suggests that the search for understanding is a noble pursuit, even if we may not be able to find all the answers. The final line, "The search for knowledge still, to us, is dear," suggests that the journey itself is worthwhile, even if we never reach our destination.

Conclusion

In "Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research," Rupert Brooke explores the nature of human perception and the limitations of our understanding of the world. Through the use of language, imagery, and structure, Brooke creates a sonnet that is both thought-provoking and beautifully crafted. The poem raises important questions about the unknown and the mysterious, and reminds us that the search for understanding is a lifelong journey.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

The sonnet is a classic form of poetry that has been used by poets for centuries to express their deepest emotions and thoughts. One such sonnet that has stood the test of time is "Sonnet (Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research)" by Rupert Brooke. This sonnet is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the mysteries of the human mind and the possibility of life after death.

The sonnet begins with the speaker acknowledging the existence of a world beyond our own. He speaks of "the world unseen" and the "shadows of things that are." This suggests that there is more to life than what we can see and touch, and that there are mysteries that we may never fully understand.

The speaker then goes on to describe the "phantoms" that inhabit this unseen world. He speaks of "ghosts" and "wraiths" that "flicker and pass." These words create a sense of unease and mystery, as if the speaker is not quite sure what he is seeing.

The second quatrain of the sonnet shifts the focus to the speaker himself. He speaks of his own mortality and the fact that he will one day die. He says that he will "pass and be gone" like the phantoms he has been describing. This creates a sense of sadness and inevitability, as if the speaker is resigned to his fate.

However, the speaker then suggests that there may be more to life than just our physical existence. He speaks of "the life beyond" and the possibility that we may continue to exist in some form after we die. This creates a sense of hope and wonder, as if the speaker is excited by the possibility of something beyond death.

The final quatrain of the sonnet returns to the idea of the unseen world. The speaker speaks of "the dim borderland" between life and death, and suggests that this is where the phantoms he has been describing reside. He says that they are "waiting and watching" for us to join them in this mysterious world.

The final couplet of the sonnet brings everything together. The speaker suggests that the phantoms are not just waiting for us, but that they are also a part of us. He says that they are "the shadows of ourselves" and that they represent the parts of us that we cannot see or understand.

Overall, "Sonnet (Suggested By Some Of The Proceedings Of The Society For Psychical Research)" is a beautiful and haunting exploration of the mysteries of life and death. The sonnet creates a sense of unease and mystery, while also offering a glimmer of hope and wonder. The use of language and imagery is masterful, and the sonnet is a testament to the power of poetry to explore the deepest questions of the human experience.

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