Abstract
It is generally assumed that the poem is a tribute to General Fairfax and his house and family. While these are important to the poem, as well as weighty political and religious considerations of the time, I wish to argue that it is primarily about the poet himself. Biographical interpretations of Marvell's poetry have been discouraged by some critics but in the case of Upon Appleton House, with its unequivocal references to real people, including Andrew Marvell himself, a strong case can be made for such an interpretation.
Highlights
It is easy to accuse poets of ego-mania
What was the cause of that debate? How is it concluded? What evidence is there to support the assertion that Marvell was primarily concerned with his own Ufe and future in Upon Appleton House? The strongest evidence that the poem centres on Thomas Fairfax comes from the title: Upon Appleton House/To my Lord Fairfax
The poem is quite clearly about Appleton House; its grounds, inhabitants and history are used as a vehicle for Marvell's musings and observations, and since the house belongs to Fairfax, it seems only polite to dedícate the poem to him
Summary
It is easy to accuse poets of ego-mania. What else could bring them to expose their viscera to the public eye? Why do they imagine that the world is interested in their love affairs, sufferings and philosophisms or that their writing is of sufficient quality to deserve widespread consumption and withstand informed criticism? Virtually all poetry is about the poet despite the ostensible theme presented. Marvell is employed by Thomas Fairfax as Maria's tutor and is not afraid of making use of the poem to inform his employer of his pedagogical success: For she to higher beauties raised, Disdains to be for lesser praised.
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