Imitation, Edgar Allan Poe: Summary, Analysis & Themes

"Imitation" is a 20-line poem by Edgar Allan Poe, first published in his early collection Tamerlane and Other Poems in 1827. The poem consists of rhymed couplets, where the speaker reflects on his youth, comparing it to a dream as his reality becomes increasingly difficult to bear. Some scholars suggest that the poem may be autobiographical, written during a time of deepening tensions in Poe’s relationship with his foster father, John Allan. Over time, Poe revised this poem, which eventually evolved into his more famous work, "A Dream Within A Dream."

"Imitation" Poem Text by Edgar Allan Poe

A dark unfathomed tide
Of interminable pride—
A mystery, and a dream,
Should my early life seem;
I say that dream was fraught
With a wild and waking thought
Of beings that have been,
Which my spirit hath not seen,
Had I let them pass me by,
With a dreaming eye!

Let none of earth inherit
That vision of my spirit;
Those thoughts I would control,
As a spell upon his soul:
For that bright hope at last
And that light time have past,
And my worldly rest hath gone
With a sigh as it passed on:
I care not though it perish
With a thought I then did cherish.

Quick Facts

Title:	Imitation
Author:	Edgar Allan Poe
Published:	1827
Meter Type:	Iambic Tetrameter
Rhyme Scheme:	AA, BB, CC... (Couplets)
Structure:	Lyric Poem

Summary of "Imitation"

In this poem, the speaker looks back on his youth, describing it as a mysterious and dreamy time, filled with pride and unfathomable thoughts. He reflects on how his early life now seems distant and surreal, almost as if it were a dream. The speaker also expresses a desire to keep the visions and thoughts from his youth from influencing others, as they are deeply personal and have passed with time. The poem captures the sense of loss and the fleeting nature of hope and worldly rest, which have both disappeared as time has passed.

Critical Analysis of "Imitation"

"Imitation" is a poignant exploration of the contrast between youthful dreams and the harsh realities of adulthood. Poe uses the metaphor of a dream to convey the speaker's disillusionment with life, as the idealism and bright hopes of youth have faded, leaving behind a sense of loss and resignation. The poem's structure, consisting of rhymed couplets, reinforces the introspective and reflective tone, as the speaker contemplates the passage of time and the inevitable changes that come with it.

The autobiographical elements of the poem suggest that Poe may have been reflecting on his own strained relationship with his foster father, John Allan, and the impact it had on his emotional state. The speaker's desire to control the thoughts and visions from his youth, as if they were a spell on his soul, indicates a struggle with internal conflict and a sense of powerlessness over the direction of his life.

Through the use of rich imagery and a somber tone, Poe captures the universal theme of the fleeting nature of youth and the inevitable loss of innocence. The poem serves as a meditation on the passage of time, the fading of dreams, and the bittersweet realization that the hopes and aspirations of youth often go unfulfilled.

Major Themes in "Imitation" by Edgar Allan Poe

• Loss of Youth: The poem reflects on the fleeting nature of youth and the passing of time, leading to a loss of innocence and dreams.
• Disillusionment: The speaker experiences a sense of disillusionment as the bright hopes of youth have faded, leaving behind a more difficult reality.
• Memory and Reflection: The poem explores the theme of memory, as the speaker reflects on his past and the visions that have shaped his life.

Stylistic Analysis of "Imitation" by Edgar Allan Poe

• Imagery: Poe uses vivid imagery to evoke the mysterious and dream-like quality of the speaker's youth.
• Meter: The poem is written in Iambic Tetrameter, providing a rhythmic and lyrical flow to the verses.
• Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent rhyme scheme of AA, BB, CC..., using rhymed couplets to reinforce the reflective tone.
• Metaphor: The comparison of youth to a dream serves as a central metaphor, highlighting the transient and elusive nature of youthful aspirations.