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Caroline Fogel
Mrs. Buescher
AP English Literature and Composition
19 November 2014
Icarus by Edward Field
Throughout all of literary history, there have been certain stories that appear to be
timeless. These tales are ones that can be applied to any setting and use different
characters, but maintain the dignity, moral, or theme of the original story. All of these
stories come from different backgrounds, but most commonly come from Greek
mythology. Often, modern authors like to use these ancient tales and apply them to life as
it is in the 21st century. The poem "Icarus" by Edward Field is a spin off of the classic
myth of Icarus - the tragic hero who tried to escape from prison by constructing wings
and flying across the sea. However, Icarus flew too close to the sun, and as a result his
wings melted, sending him plunging into the water and drowning. In this poem, Icarus
doesn't drown, but rather swims to shore and lives the rest of his life in suburbia. In this
poem, the speaker uses anachronism, symbolism, and visual imagery to adapt the myth of
Icarus to a modern setting.
Firstly, the most prevalent literary device in this poem is the speaker's use of
anachronism, or the error of a timeline. Although Icarus is considered to be a mythical
figure from a very long time ago, the suburban area in which he lives is very modern. The
difference of time provides and interesting way for the audience to understand just how
different Icarus' life would be had he survived. Also, the anachronism provides a contrast

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between mundane reality and the world of the gods. In this world, everyone knows that
humans can't fly without a plane, helicopter, or jetpack (no matter how much Redbull
they drink). But the poem mentions Icarus "construct[ing] small wings and tr[ying] to
fly," illustrating how he still believes he can fly. This shows the disconnect between
Icarus and today's society, which actually helps apply the myth.
Not only does Field use anachronism, but he also uses symbols to show the
contrast between Icarus and his new suburban style of living. Mentioned throughout the
poem multiple times, the wings of Icarus seem to haunt Icarus no matter what. In the
beginning, "only the feathers floating around the hat / Showed that anything more
spectacular had occurred" (Lines 1-2). Later, the speaker mentions that neighbors "never
dreamed that the gray, respectable suit / Concealed arms that had controlled huge wings"
(Lines 11-12). Also, the speaker mentions later that Icarus is again trying to construct his
wings. Because it is repeated so many times throughout the poem, it is clear to the
audience that these wings represent Icarus' failure.
Finally, alongside anachronism and symbolism, the speaker uses visual imagery in
order to further show how Icarus is in this modern setting. Although the imagery provides
contrast, the alternating images of neat yards and gray suits with the majestic nature of
Icarus show the reader more about Icarus in suburbia. In lines 19-20, the speaker
questions "Can the genius of the hero fall / To the middling stature of the merely
talented?" The contrast of the nature of Icarus and the nature of modern society provides
the reader with a clear picture that Icarus simply shouldn't fit in.

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Overall, although the speaker wants to show how Icarus is in a modern setting, he
does so by creating contrast between Icarus and his suburban neighborhood. By using
anachronism, symbols, and visual imagery, Field shows what it would be like for such an
old myth to exist in today's world. Here, he creates a timeless story - turning Icarus into
the "black sheep" of modern society, one that is haunted by his failures and scared of his
life.