"Faith" is a fine invention

The presence of “see” (Line 2) and “Microscopes” (Line 3) centers the poem on the theme of sight. The poem contrasts two different types of visions. The first is “Faith” (Line 1), which links to an intangible, spiritual sight. The second is “Microscopes,” which relates to a scientific and quantifiable sight. To test their hypothesis, a scientist doesn’t rely on their faith but firm evidence, and a microscope often helps them gather the applicable concrete data. Meanwhile, someone with faith doesn’t need a microscope since what powers their beliefs isn’t material but immaterial or an unquantifiable, spiritual intuition. As the poem brings together these two seemingly opposite kinds of sights, the theme of sight carries quite a bit of tension.

The antagonism starts in the first sentence: “‘Faith’ is a fine invention / For Gentlemen who see!” (Lines 1-2). The speaker calls faith an “invention,” which twists the juxtaposition. Like the microscope, people invented faith, so both are a product of the human mind. Yet there’s still a sharp difference between faith and microscopes since the former is for people “who see!” (Line 2) and the latter is “prudent / In an Emergency!” (Lines 3-4). The speaker challenges the idea of faith while upholding its value.