"Song VII" is a poem that suggests how misguided appearances can be. Just because something looks good, or seems fancy, doesn't mean that it is good. In fact, Tagore's speaker suggests that, if we really want to get to the heart of truth (and we can only do that through communion with the divine), then we have to let go of appearances. We have to focus on substance. Poems, like people, can be all about appearances, about sounding good as opposed to being good. The speaker suggests that the best poetry is poetry that shuns literary ornamentation in favor of truth.
Questions About Appearances
- What sorts of appearances does the speaker reject in "Song VII"?
- How do the "ornaments" and "adornments" that the speaker mentions distract from communion with the divine?
- What does the speaker of this poem choose to focus on instead of appearances?
Chew on This
The speaker proves that, even in art, much focus on appearances is a reflection of vanity.
The speaker is actually way off here. The fact that he relies on sophisticated metaphors and personification show us that appearances are the only way through which we can get to know the divine.