Analysis of ‘A Deam Within a Dream’

“A Dream Within a Dream” by Edgar Allan Poe is a short poem that emphasizes a very real concept about man’s limitations in this life.

Poem’s Meaning

Whether abstract or concrete, all good things that we experience or wish to experience in this life will eventually disappear. Only in one’s dreams can a person hold onto any real hope or joy forever. In this human realm, we wrongly convince ourselves we’re in a world of our own where nothing ever changes and we always get what we want. Like a dream though, life is sporadic, unpredictable, and short-lived and we never know what’s coming next. We will only wake up when we die. Furthermore, our bodies have been set with undesirable limitations.

In the poem, Poe holds grains of golden sand and squeezes them in his hands as tightly as he can. He weeps when at last, he discovers that he can not grasp them any tighter than he has already. In a dream, we can do or wish anything and we are happy. Life is like a dream in a dream where heartache and limitations take over.

What We Can Learn

What can we learn from this melancholic poem? First of all, we can learn a lot about ourselves and our humanity. We should never take life for granted and we must never forget that we as humans are not strong enough to endure more than we have been made to endure. Constant happiness is unattainable and physical weaknesses are unavoidable. Don’t get caught up in your fantasy dreams, but focus on the dream within your dreams because this dream in actuality is reality.

In other words, be prepared for what’s in store for you and don’t let your thoughts wander idly. While it is true that there is a plan and purpose for you, do not fantasize about your life goals or you will create a false image for yourself that may presently entice but later, disappoint you in the end.

Edgar Allen Poe’s “A Dream Within a Dream” sheds significant light on the topics of imagination, reality, and existence in this world of human dwelling. If you’re a person who likes reading poems of substance, meaning, and depth, you will enjoy the spectacular insight of this wonderful poet. Essentially, the poem promotes awareness and beneficial thinking and will leave you with a lot of very real thoughts.