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Poetry · Chapter
Psychographs explained
The chapter reflects on the irony of poets who claim to be guided by departed souls in their writing, yet their own works lack immortality.
What happens
The chapter reflects on the irony of poets who claim to be guided by departed souls in their writing, yet their own works lack immortality.
Themes in this chapter
Art and Criticism
The poem critiques the notion of poetic inspiration from departed souls while questioning the enduring value of the resulting works.
Key passages
“When I write, a band Of souls of the departed guides my hand.”
The poet claims that spirits of the dead help him write.
Gerald Massey's assertion about spiritual guidance in writing.
“How strange that poems cumbering our shelves, Penned by immortal parts, have none themselves!”
It is ironic that poems about immortality are themselves forgettable.
The narrator's ironic observation on the lack of lasting value in such poetry.