The Truth is in the Tone

Richard Brautigan’s poem, “All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace” has many interpretations. The first interpretation contains an anti-technology tone and message. He starts out each stanza with the words “I like to think,” suggesting that his wish is for a better future, possibly one free of technology. This wistful thinking also suggests that in order to soothe his mind he imagines a world where nature and technology coexist. The parenthesized words in this poem can be seen as having a sarcastic tone. “The sooner the better,” “right now, please” and “it has to be” all imply sarcasm and mockery towards technology. Also, ending each of these lines with an exclamation mark suggest urgency and aid in supporting the mocking tone.

However, this poem can also be seen as having a pro-technology tone. The tone is peaceful and contains many images of serenity. The words “harmony,” “stroll peacefully,” and “loving grace” all have positive and tranquil connotations. These words are used to describe the speaker’s longing for a world where technology and nature, two very contrasting ideas, can coexist in peace with one another. By combining technology and nature into one harmonious ecosystem, the speaker acknowledges that two very different concepts are capable of existing together. Therefore, technology is not completely destructive or negative, but actually has redeeming qualities, for it is able to share the world with nature and those who reside within it.

In my opinion, I believe that the speaker has an anti-technology tone and message. The speaker’s tone is not only sarcastic, but also wistful and filled with longing for a world where technology doesn’t rule. He wishes for a day when “we are free of our labors and joined back to nature” and “are all watched over by machines of loving grace.” He wants to be liberated from technology and instead go back to the times of simple beauty and pleasure. The speaker also talks about the beauties of nature, such as the “pure water touching clear sky” and the “flowers with spinning blossoms.” He brings to mind these beautiful images of nature as a way to remind readers that the world was once this way. One must not be consumed by the various complexities of technology and instead take the time to smell the flowers and enjoy the beautiful and breath-taking scenery that only nature can provide.