"The Scientist" by Janet Burroway: Commonality within the Skull

The way one analyzes any aspect of life depends a great deal on the way one grew up or what was learned throughout the course of life. Such is also true with literature. Initially in Janet Burroway's poem, "The Scientist," the two characters appear to fit the stereotypical roles of their professions. The uncertainty this causes throughout the poem allows the reader to apply a universal theme to life. It is through Burroway's language, imagery, and irony that she creates an unlikely-shared awareness between the poet and scientist.
The structure of this nine-stanza poem makes it easy for…