An Echo Sonnet

In Robert Pack’s poem, “An Echo Sonnet,” certain literary devices are used which contriute meaning to the poem; certainly the most prominent being that of an echoed voice. Throughout the play, the echos’ answers to the speaker’s questions serve as a religious meaning speaking to those who ask questions.

            The speaker begins to ask questions such as “must I master joy or grief?” and various other questions that clearly lead the reader to believe that the narrator is confused as to what his purpose in life is. However, Pack adds the literary technique of an echoed voice that leads the way. By using this device, it seems as though the narrator is representative of most people who are not sure of their reason for life, and the voice is coming from a God-like figure. The poem then becomes a piece of art which many people can relate to due to the fact that praying or speaking to another “higher” being can comfort them. However, in the last line of the poem, the narrator has faith that the God-like voice knows where happiness is, and this is when the poem turns around. The echo voice admits that he does not know where happiness is, meaning that the speaker must find the feeling on his own.

            Another device used is the “ABAB” rhyme scheme, showing repitition in the speaker’s voice, as if the questions are simply monotonous. Also by making almost every line a question, the reader may begin to wonder if the narrator can even hear the echo voice, because if he did, maybe he would state that in the poem. Pack uses these devices to create a wall barrier between the two speakers; enough that it is clear that two people are speaking, but translucent enough that they cannot see each other.