Book IV, Stanzas 1-4 Summary

Stanza 1: The narrator considers how successful or unsuccessful his inquiry into the injustice of man has been so far. While he does not think he has achieved total success, he does think that he has shed some light on the problem. He then renews his vow to oppose man and his cruelties—for eternity, if necessary.

Stanza 2: Starting with a vision of two towers—which, he says, resemble two baobobs—the narrator goes on a feverish rant about the complexity of the world, humor, and tragedy. He talks at length about the best way to kill a fly and notes that any wise soul will be pleased by discussing it and any other matter, for like everything in the world, there is the potential for a limitless amount of analysis. Though he himself cannot...