Here's what Poe believed about the unity of impression in long poems:
1. Single Effect: Poe believed a poem should aim for a single, unified effect on the reader. This effect, he argued, should be carefully planned and executed throughout the poem.
2. Limits of Attention: Long poems, in Poe's view, strain the reader's attention span. He believed the human mind can only hold a single dominant impression for a limited time. A lengthy poem, he argued, risks losing focus and diluting the initial effect.
3. Distraction and Disunity: Long poems, according to Poe, are prone to distractions and digressions that detract from the main effect. He felt these digressions break the intended unity of impression and weaken the emotional impact.
4. Ideal Length: Poe believed a poem's length should be dictated by the intended effect. He argued that a poem should be "brief, energetic, and single," making it possible to maintain the intended effect throughout.
In essence, Poe argued that long poems struggle to achieve the unity of impression necessary for a truly powerful and moving poetic experience. He believed that brevity and focus were crucial for a poem to leave a lasting and singular effect on the reader.
Important Note: It's worth noting that Poe's views were not universally accepted by his contemporaries or later poets. Many authors have successfully written long, complex poems that achieve a powerful sense of unity. Nevertheless, Poe's ideas have been influential in shaping poetic theory and continue to be debated.