The Machine of the World
The poem explores the tension between humanity's desire for progress and the natural world's resistance to it. It portrays a machine that has taken over the world, dominating nature and human existence. The speaker describes this machine as having its own rhythm, pulse, and logic, which are incompatible with those of humans.
By Carlos Drummond de Andrade · First published 1951 · Genre: Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Modernist Literature · 697 words
First lines
And as I slowly rambled down a stony road in Minas Gerais, and late in the day a hoarse bell blended with the dry, punctual sound of my shoes, and as birds hovered in the leaden sky, their black shapes slowly dissolving into the larger darkness that came from the hills and from my own disillusioned self, the Machine of the World began to open for one who'd lost all desire to breach it and mourned for once having wanted to.
What this Textopian page supports
The Machine of the World is listed on Textopian as a poem by Carlos Drummond de Andrade, dated 1951 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Carlos Drummond de Andrade
- Date: 1951 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Philosophical Fiction, Modernist Literature, Symbolism, Metaphysical Literature
- Length: 697 words
- Structure: 1 section, 6 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Very Confusing
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Machine of the World by Carlos Drummond de Andrade
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Discussion starters
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Similar titles
- Unity by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nakedness by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Coexistence by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Residue by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Feeling Of The World by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
- Nausea And The Flower by Carlos Drummond De Andrade
Genres
- Poetry — The work is characterized by its lyrical and evocative language, focusing on themes of disillusionment and existential reflection.
- Philosophical Fiction — The narrative delves into profound philosophical questions about the nature of existence, reality, and human understanding.
- Modernist Literature — The writing style and thematic exploration align with modernist tendencies, emphasizing introspection and the complexity of human experience.
- Symbolism — The text employs rich symbolic imagery to convey deeper meanings and abstract concepts.
Tags
Poetry · Brazilian Literature · Modernism · Philosophical · Existential Crisis · Urban Life · Alienation · Social Commentary · Critique of Modernity · Industrialization · Technology · Human Condition