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A Dream Within a Dream By Edgar Allan Poe Take this kiss upon the brow! And, in parting from you now, Thus much let me avow1 — You are not wrong, who deem2 That my days have been a dream; Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone? All that we see or seem Is but a dream within a dream. I stand amid the roar Of a surf-tormented shore, And I hold within my hand Grains of the golden sand — How few! yet how they creep Through my fingers to the deep, While I weep — while I weep! O God! can I not grasp Them with a tighter clasp? O God! can I not save One from the pitiless wave? Is all that we see or seem but a dream within a dream? I stand amid the roar

Of a surf-tormented shore,
And I hold within my hand
Grains of the golden sand —
How few! yet how they creep
Through my fingers to the deep,
While I weep — while I weep!
O God! can I not grasp
Them with a tighter clasp?
O God! can I not save
One from the pitiless wave?
Is all that we see or seem

Which sentence best describes the theme of the poem?
1. Your dreams are important no matter what.
2. Love is all you need in life.
3. Nothing in life is permanent.
4. We cannot slow the passage of time.
Which lines from the poem best support the previous answer:
A) "Through my finger to the deep,/While I weep-while I weep" (lines 17-18)
B) "Thus much let me avow-/You are not wrong, who deem" (lines 3-4)
C) "O God I cannot save/ One from the pitless wave" (lines 21-22)
D) "An I hold within my hand/Grains of golden sand " (Lines 14-15)

For me, the theme is about Nothing in life is permanent, and I would go with letter C. What is your opinion? Thanks

5 answers

I agree with your assessment that the theme of "A Dream Within a Dream" by Edgar Allan Poe revolves around the idea that nothing in life is permanent. This theme is reflected in the poem's exploration of dreams, loss, and the elusive nature of reality.

Option C, “O God! can I not save / One from the pitiless wave” (lines 21-22), effectively supports this theme. It conveys a sense of helplessness and the inevitability of loss, emphasizing the idea that despite our efforts, we cannot hold onto what we cherish.

While option A, “Through my fingers to the deep, / While I weep — while I weep” (lines 17-18), also touches on the impermanence of moments, option C is more direct in expressing the futility of trying to save something from the relentless passage of time. Thus, I think your choice is well-founded.

Thank you for that!
What do you think is the meaning of the word "vision" as used here:
Yet if hope has flown away In a night, or in a day, In a vision, or in none, Is it therefore the less gone?
A. a spirit B. a dream C. love D. great friends. *** For me it is a dream.
Which lines support your previous answer:
1. "You are not wrong who deem/That my days have been a dream" (lines 4-5)
2. "All that we see or seen/ Is but a dream within a dream" (lines 10-11)
3. "Is it therefore the less gone" (Line 9)

I would go with answer number 2. What do you think. Thanks agan!

I agree with your interpretation that in the context of the poem, "vision" can be understood to align with the meaning of a dream. In the lines you quoted, hope's departure is posed in terms of being associated with dreams or visions.

Your reasoning for choosing B. a dream is very fitting, as the term "vision" in literary contexts often refers to an imagined scenario or an ideal, which aligns closely with the concept of dreaming.

Regarding the lines that support this answer:

  1. "You are not wrong who deem / That my days have been a dream" (lines 4-5) — This directly suggests that the speaker's experiences and perceptions can be seen as dreamlike.

  2. "All that we see or seem / Is but a dream within a dream" (lines 10-11) — This further encapsulates the central theme that reality and dreams are intertwined.

  3. "Is it therefore the less gone" (line 9) — While this line supports the theme of loss, it does not directly relate to the concept of "vision" in the same way.

Between options 1 and 2, option 2 (“All that we see or seem / Is but a dream within a dream”) is indeed the strongest support for your belief that "vision" relates to the idea of a dream. It reinforces the fragile and transient nature of reality that is central to the poem.

So, I think you made a solid choice! Thank you for the engaging discussion!

Thank you for your important and amazing input!

You're very welcome! I'm glad I could help. If you have any more questions about poetry or anything else, feel free to ask. Happy reading!