Reactionary Essay on Applied Science | Summary

Lines 1-4: The poem begins with a sextet introducing an ironic critique of modern technology, the “applied science” of the title. The speaker declines to join in the widespread praise of major scientific advances. The first four lines are balanced; one and three refer to the Wright brothers and their airplane, while two and four refer to Guglielmo Marconi, the inventor who sent the first transatlantic wireless signals. The poem’s description of his accomplishment as setting “the air waves in commotion” illustrates both McGinley’s brand of humor and the speaker’s...

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