To Margaret, Edgar Allan Poe: Summary, Analysis & Themes

"To Margaret" is a short, possibly unfinished poem written by Edgar Allan Poe in 1827. The poem was never published during his lifetime and exists in manuscript form. Poe's notes for this poem reference several classical works, including Paradise Lost by John Milton, William Shakespeare’s plays, and Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man. The poem critiques the act of writing, particularly the decline from "honourable rhyme" to "nonsense."

"To Margaret" Poem Text by Edgar Allan Poe

Who hath seduced thee to this foul revolt
From the pure well of Beauty undefiled?
So banish from true wisdom to prefer
Such squalid wit to honourable rhyme?
To write? To scribble? Nonsense and no more?
I will not write upon this argument
To write is human—not to write divine.

Quick Facts

Title:	To Margaret
Author:	Edgar Allan Poe
Written:	1827
References:	Milton, Shakespeare, Pope
Major Theme:	Criticism of writing

Summary of "To Margaret"

"To Margaret" is a brief poem in which the speaker chastises the titular Margaret for abandoning "the pure well of Beauty" in favor of "squalid wit." The speaker laments this preference for writing that is nonsensical and devoid of true honor or wisdom. The final lines suggest that writing is a human act, while refraining from writing—or avoiding poor writing—is a divine act.

Critical Analysis of "To Margaret"

In "To Margaret," Poe critiques the tendency of some writers to indulge in frivolous or nonsensical writing, moving away from true beauty and wisdom. The poem suggests a disdain for what the speaker considers "squalid wit," implying that the pursuit of superficial or unworthy writing is a form of rebellion against the pure ideals of beauty. The final line, "To write is human—not to write divine," carries a strong critique of the act of writing itself, especially when it falls short of high standards.

The classical references Poe includes in his notes add depth to the poem, as they connect the modern literary critique with the authority of great works from the past. By evoking John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Shakespeare, and Alexander Pope, Poe places himself within a tradition of writers grappling with the complexities of creativity and literary merit.

Classical References in "To Margaret"

• Line 1: John Milton’s Paradise Lost, Book I, referencing the fall of Satan, is echoed in the idea of a "foul revolt" from beauty and wisdom.
• Lines 3–4: These lines allude to William Cowper's The Task, Book I, particularly in relation to the decline of true wisdom in favor of lesser pursuits.
• Line 5: A reference to Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida, which explores themes of honor, wit, and the futility of war and human folly.
• Line 7: Poe cites Alexander Pope’s Essay on Man, a philosophical poem that contemplates humanity's place in the universe, echoing the divine versus human dichotomy in the poem’s closing line.

Major Themes in "To Margaret"

• Critique of Writing: The speaker condemns the decline in literary standards, accusing the writer (Margaret) of abandoning true beauty and wisdom.
• Human vs. Divine: The poem contrasts the act of writing, as something human and flawed, with the divine ideal of not writing—perhaps indicating restraint or the pursuit of higher wisdom.
• Classical Tradition: Poe’s use of classical allusions reinforces the notion that writing must strive to meet the standards set by the great literary minds of the past.

Stylistic Analysis of "To Margaret"

• Allusions: The poem is rich with literary allusions to classical works, lending it intellectual depth and connecting it to the broader tradition of literary criticism.
• Rhetorical Questions: The poem begins with a rhetorical question, setting a tone of judgment and disapproval, as the speaker critiques Margaret’s choices.
• Tone: The tone is both critical and resigned, reflecting the speaker's disappointment with the decline in literary merit.
• Metaphor: The "pure well of Beauty undefiled" is a metaphor for true artistic inspiration, contrasting with the "squalid wit" of poor writing.