ENL 003 Post #2

The poem “All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace” by Richard Brautigan carries a tone and theme of anti-technology. Although the imagery suggests otherwise, with its seemingly optimistic outlook on a blending of the two worlds, the sarcasm at the start of each strophe along with the demotion and patronization of man disagree with this. The first piece of evidence is shown in the first two lines as a parenthesized and impatient comment following the phrase, “I like to think”. Delivered in an impatient and exclaimed fashion, the statement comes off rather as a sarcastic remark than a genuine comment on his initial proposal. This restlessness is repeated in the following two strophes, bringing a sense of doubt and reluctance into each of his supposed visions. Aside from this placement of text, the saccharine images of humanity conceding its position of observer in life also support this anti-technological theme. While mankind is envisioned to become merry by rejoining the natural world and allowing technology to merge with the environment, it begins to illustrate a world where humans are no longer in control, having been reduced to the same role as an animal, and machines gaining the dominant presence.
However, this poem can also be interpreted as having a pro-technology tone and theme. The bulk of this evidence comes from the abundant imagery depicting a peaceful future where organic and artificial life can coexist peacefully. In the first strophe an optimistic vision of a harmonized world between man and machine is illustrated through an effective use of serene scenery. This is repeated in the second strophe, albeit with animals and machines, showing that once technology has merged with civilization it is prepared to merge with the natural world. This concord culminates in the third strophe where a dream of humanity, wildlife, and machinery coexisting as a peaceful cohesive unit is visualized. The exalting adjectives used to describe the possible benefits of embracing technology also support this claim, with the final line, “by machines of loving grace”, a clear example.
Regarding both guided interpretations, I believe the anti-technology reading is more convincing. Although the imagery initially contradicts this, the poem is overly bright with the apparent belief that all of humanities difficulties would end should we only return to nature and allow technology to take our place and supervise our future. Reflecting on that, it seems that technology’s fusion was overly embellished in order raise suspicions of its true purpose. The interjection after the first line of each strophe also gives the anti-technological perspective more credibility since it is not only unnecessary for the latter but is impatient as to create a sense of urgency. As the pro-technological stance relies on a superficial reading, whereas most text depends on a deeper analysis as a whole, it simply comes off as a much weaker argument. However, this could also stem from the fact that most writers assume every work has a hidden meaning, often disregarding their initial grasp of the text.