Portrait of a Machine
Louis Untermeyer
Line 1-14 explanation/notes
What nudity as beautiful as this ● both humans and machines are naked and
beautiful in their creation
Obedient monster purring at its toil; ● machine is described as 9bediant as it obeys
its master instructions to work hard
● “toil” → work
● “purring” → content, relaxed, no real
threat
● 'monster' → brings the element of evil
sinister about the machine
These naked iron muscles dripping oil ● strength of the machine is emphasized by 'iron
muscles
● Image of a strong machine
● naked → likens machines to humans
And the sure-fingered rods that never miss. ● impression of how the machine works - how
precise it is/does not make mistakes (better
than humans)
This long and shining flank of metal is ● flank → side of the animal (between the
ribs and hip) Computing the machine to a
string animal and commenting on the
beauty if the machine: 'shining'
Magic that greasy labour cannot spoil; ● emphasis on how the machine works as almost
magical
While this vast engine that could rend the soil ● here we are given an impression of the
impressive work that the machine can perform
agriculturally. Its large engine allows it to tear
through (‘rend’) the soil.
Conceals its fury with a gentle hiss ● This onomatopoeia is effective as it shows the
hidden anger /malice of the machine.
● Think of when a snake hisses and how it is
feeling when it does that. (element of anger)
It does not vent its loathing, it does not turn ● ‘loathing’ refers to an intense dislike/hatred.
This tells us how the machine really feels about
mankind, although it does not outwardly show
it.
Upon its makers with destroying hate. ● The machine almost decides not to turn its
back on its creators but to rather be patient…
It bears a deeper malice; lives to earn ● ‘malice’ tells us that the machine has evil
Louis Untermeyer
Line 1-14 explanation/notes
What nudity as beautiful as this ● both humans and machines are naked and
beautiful in their creation
Obedient monster purring at its toil; ● machine is described as 9bediant as it obeys
its master instructions to work hard
● “toil” → work
● “purring” → content, relaxed, no real
threat
● 'monster' → brings the element of evil
sinister about the machine
These naked iron muscles dripping oil ● strength of the machine is emphasized by 'iron
muscles
● Image of a strong machine
● naked → likens machines to humans
And the sure-fingered rods that never miss. ● impression of how the machine works - how
precise it is/does not make mistakes (better
than humans)
This long and shining flank of metal is ● flank → side of the animal (between the
ribs and hip) Computing the machine to a
string animal and commenting on the
beauty if the machine: 'shining'
Magic that greasy labour cannot spoil; ● emphasis on how the machine works as almost
magical
While this vast engine that could rend the soil ● here we are given an impression of the
impressive work that the machine can perform
agriculturally. Its large engine allows it to tear
through (‘rend’) the soil.
Conceals its fury with a gentle hiss ● This onomatopoeia is effective as it shows the
hidden anger /malice of the machine.
● Think of when a snake hisses and how it is
feeling when it does that. (element of anger)
It does not vent its loathing, it does not turn ● ‘loathing’ refers to an intense dislike/hatred.
This tells us how the machine really feels about
mankind, although it does not outwardly show
it.
Upon its makers with destroying hate. ● The machine almost decides not to turn its
back on its creators but to rather be patient…
It bears a deeper malice; lives to earn ● ‘malice’ tells us that the machine has evil
