Moore is known for her poems about animals. One of the most important motifs in this poem is the presence of an animal in its natural habitat. Moore often wrote about animals, both out of pure joy and pure interest, but also as a vehicle for observation: “She frequently used animals as a central image to emphasize themes of independence, honesty, and the integration of art and nature” (“Marianne Moore.” Poetry Foundation). Unlike scientific observations written on animals, or film and photographs of animals, Moore’s use of animals in her poetry, as in “The Paper Nautilus,” makes superb that which scientific prose generally conveys without lyricism” (Miller 114). Moore uses the unique language of the animal world to give meaning to her poetry, while her poetry gives meaning to the animal world and nature in turn.

The title states the poem is specifically about an argonaut or type of octopus, a paper nautilus, known for its ability to create a thin, translucent shell with which to hold its eggs. Moore’s background in biology and histology, along with her pure love of animals, makes for a unique perspective and an ability to zoom into the life of the animals she often wrote about, creating depth and offering multiple meanings.