Analyzing "All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace" by Richard Brautigan

In Richard Brautigan's poem "All Watched over by Machines of Loving Grace” Brautigan illustrated his anti-technology tone and message through the means of parenthesized statements. The parenthesized statements were worked into the poem after the words “I like to think” (lines 1, 9, 17), which were used to drew attention to the statements by hinting to the readers that these statements held the poet’s belief. The statements “(and the sooner the better!), (line 1)” “(right now, please!), (line 10)” and “(it has to be!) (line 18)” gave off a sense of anticipation that is geared towards technological advancements. However, the overly use of the anticipation and excitement in the statements brought about sarcastic connotations to the statements, meaning that Brautigan, through the use of literary sarcasm meant the exact opposite of the statements.

The pro-technology tone and message were worked more subtly into the poem. The mentioning of “mammals and computers liv[ing] in mutually programming harmony,” (lines 4-6) and the simple co-existence between the animals and technology that is worked subtly into the poem goes to show that Brautigan believes technology brings the world closer together and is good for the world. The co-existence of animals and technology as well as the benefits of technology that brings the nature and man together is shown by the phrase: “our mammal brothers and sisters.” Thus, since computers are to become so much a part of the world that deer can walk “past computers as if they were flowers” it goes to say that technology is significant and that it should become a sure and irreplaceable part of our world.

I believe the pro-technological tone and message is more convincing, because of the relationships mentioned in the poem. The co-existence of nature and technology and the prevalence as well as the assistance provided by technology show by the fact that the “machines watch over” (line 24) and provide “loving grace” (line 25) to the humans showed just how much technology means to us and how important it is to nature and humans. Thus, I believe through the imagery and connections between the prevalence of technology in nature the pro-technology tone and message is more convincing.