About the Poem “The Facebook Sonnet“
| Poem Title | The Facebook Sonnet |
| Author | Sherman Alexie |
| Publication year | 2008 |
| Genre | Contemporary Poetry |
| Form | 14 lines in iambic tetramete |
| Rhyme scheme | ABAB CDCD EFEF GG |
| Literary devices | Metaphor, personification, apostrophe, rhetorical question, hyperbole |
Themes of The Facebook Sonnet
The themes of Sherman Alexie’s poem “The Facebook Sonnet” are:
- Technology’s Impact ➤ The poem talks about how technology, like Facebook, affects the way we connect with others.
- Isolation and Loneliness ➤ It highlights how online interactions can make us feel isolated and lonely despite being connected.
- Identity on Social Media ➤ The poem touches on how we present ourselves on social media and whether it’s authentic.
- Superficial Relationships ➤ It explores the idea that online friendships can be shallow and lack depth.
- Nostalgia and Skepticism ➤ The poem expresses both longing for real connections and doubt about online ones.
- Negative impact on human relationships and mental health ➤ According to Alexie, Facebook can cause loneliness, isolation, and a distorted sense of self.
- Social media’s addictive nature ➤ Alexie compares Facebook to a drug, claiming that breaking free from its grip can be difficult.
“The Facebook Sonnet” Poem by Sherman Alexie
Welcome to the endless high-school
Reunion. Welcome to past friends
And lovers, however kind or cruel.
Let’s undervalue and unmend
The present. Why can’t we pretend
Every stage of life is the same?
Let’s exhume, resume, and extend
Childhood. Let’s play all the games
That occupy the young. Let fame
And shame intertwine. Let one’s search
For God become public domain.
Let church.com become our church
Let’s sign up, sign in, and confess
Here at the altar of loneliness.
The Facebook Sonnet Summary & Analysis
Sherman Alexie’s “The Facebook Sonnet” is a satirical poem that criticizes social media culture, specifically the website Facebook. The poem is written in the form of a Shakespearean sonnet, with 14 lines in iambic tetrameter and a traditional rhyme scheme.
The speaker introduces the reader to Facebook, describing it as a “confessional” and “place of redemption.” This suggests that the speaker regards Facebook as a place where people can confess their sins and seek forgiveness.
The speaker then goes on to list the various things that people confess on Facebook, such as insecurities, regrets, and desires. The speaker, on the other hand, claims that these confessions are not genuine, but rather a ruse to make people feel better about themselves.
The speaker also accuses Facebook of encouraging a shallow culture of self-promotion. They argue that people on Facebook are more concerned with presenting a curated image of themselves than with connecting with others in real life.
In the poem’s final couplet, the speaker refers to Facebook as a “place of loneliness” and a “waste of time.” This implies that the speaker believes that Facebook will eventually harm human relationships and mental health.
FAQs from The Facebook Sonnet
What is the poem the Facebook sonnet about?
The Facebook Sonnet is a poem about the negative effects of social media on human relationships and mental health.
What is the structure of the Facebook sonnet?
The poem has 14 lines, each with 4 pairs of syllables, and the lines rhyme.
What is the main message of the poem?
The main message of the poem is that Facebook can be a bad thing for people, and we should be careful how we use it.
What is the mood of the poem about?
The mood of Sherman Alexie’s poem “The Facebook Sonnet” is critical and satirical.
What is the symbol of the poem?
The symbol of the poem is a confessional, a place where people go to confess their sins and seek redemption.
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