Descent into the Maelström

‘A Descent into the Maelström’ by Edgar Allan Poe is about a fisherman’s survival story in a massive Norwegian whirlpool or maelström.

It actually portrays humanity facing overwhelming, indifferent forces.

The maelstrom symbolizes chaos, death, and the abyss of existence. The essential message is that panic leads to destruction, while calm observation offers a chance of survival. 

Philip Glass created a symphonic work inspired by this tale and emphasizes immersion, placing the listener inside the maelström itself.