An Echo Sonnet To An Empty Page Summary

In the poem “An Echo Sonnet, To an Empty Page” poet Robert Pack introduces the narrator who is referred to as the “voice” and his alter ego/subconscious who is referred to as the “echo” in the poem. They exchange questions and answers which reveal the poets prospects and attitudes toward life. The “voice” seems like unsure man, afraid to make a change in his life and live it, because he fears his inevitable mortality. The “echo” which is the man’s subconscious/ alter ego answers the voices questions showing the man a view on life. Beautifully designed, this poem uses the traditional form of a Shakespearean sonnet with the addendum of the “echo” communicating a direct message to the reader. Various literary techniques like symbols, juxtaposition,

and imagery, contribute to the meaning and messages of the poem. Together, the form and literary techniques are emphasized by the echo which encourages the narrator to hurry up and go for whatever choice he’s making, and take a “leap” (line 9).
The form of the poem is structured by the author to render the readers deeper understanding of the authors intentions.

The voice which speaks concerns represents the general people who also have fears and are insecure about their future. By having the voice speak these concerns, the attachment increases to the poem. With the one word addendum of the “echo” rhyming with the last word of each line, the poet gives an immediate answer to the question, leading to another which creates a conversation, as well as a rhythm. In the first quatrain, the voice asks general questions of how to start blank/from nothing. The title which suggests that the sonnet is created by an echo which answers “To an Empty Page” , where the “Empty Page” is a metaphor for the “voice” which is the man who is trembling on his future. The strong one word answer to the questions lead to more and more. For example, the answer to the first question “How from emptiness can I make a start” is “start”, emphasizing that no matter what, the first thing to do is to “start” and take the first step. After this question the author juxtaposes the two words “joy” and “grief” and the echo responds with “grief” saying he must master this starting. In the next two lines, the author adds that “art” and “leaf” are the cure for this “consolation” and “relief” which brings up nature and

life.
The “leaf” begins the next quatrain which brings about the life cycle and naturalistic symbols which add to the meaning. The voice tells the life of the leaf through visual imagery and the echo tells of the final fate of the leaf as “death” showing that everyone and everything dies and comes a complete circle. It seems as if the voice actually knows the answers that his echo tells him.