Is poetry a social act rather than an isolated object? Is poetry meant to be shared with others, or meant for the individual?
Personally I can think of examples that would justify both of these statements. Poetry itself is almost impossible to define but to describe a poem, as a “social act” or an “isolated object” doesn’t necessarily mean that the next poem is. There are however cases that would suggest that poetry does indeed lean more towards the “social act” description allotted by this particular essay-title.
One point that arose during a discussion with a fellow student concerning this question was that poetry itself originated from song: the medium of song itself being a very social form of expression so logically poetry is also a social form of expression. I personally agree with this point and firmly believe that the origins of poetry do lie in the social act of singing. But one of the most unique, fascinating and potent qualities of poetry (of which there are a few) is its state of flux, it is constantly changing and re-inventing itself so to think of poetry as a mere derivative or deviation of song is to miss the point of poetry entirely.
One prominent social re-invention of poetry that comes to mind is that of the “Beat Movement”. The "Beat Movement" in modern literature has become an important period in the history of literature and society in America in particular but also around the world. Incorporating influences such as jazz, art, literature, philosophy and religion, the beat writers created a new and prophetic vision of modern life and changed the way a generation of people see/saw the world. One of the most important contributions to contemporary verse was to take poetry out of the classrooms and into non-academic setting coffee houses, jazz clubs, large public auditoriums and even athletic stadiums making it an even more social act/form of expression. Poetry is more popular and more read at this time than anytime in previous history, not only spoken poetry but also sung poetry of a high order, reminiscent of poetries origins. Keeping this further socialisation of poetry in mind I would also like to stress the point that although poetry was in its most social environment yet the emphasis was firmly on the individual and their individual poetry, attempting to isolate their poetry from all previously heard. So in the ideal situation although the act would be social, the object would be isolated.
Poetry is literary work in which special intensity is given to the expression of feeling and ideas, by the distinctive style and myth. It relies on different devices such as assonance, themes and even the tone to be successful. Even though many poems seems to be different, in some way they have similarities. American poet Natasha Trethewey, used many of her own personal experiences while writing poetry. Her mother was an African American woman and her father was a Canadian emigrant.
“One merit of poetry few persons will deny: it says more and in fewer words than prose.” Said by Voltaire can describe the two poems, Seventeen by Andrew Hudgins and Traveling through the Dark by William Stafford. Both poems are written in a prose fashion but mean so much more than the written words. At a glance, the poems both seem to be about the tragic deaths of animals; however, the poems differ in their themes of growing up in Seventeen and the intermixing of technology with man and nature in Traveling through the Dark.
Over the decades, art has been used as a weapon against the callousness of various social constructs - it has been used to challenge authority, to counter ideologies, to get a message across and to make a difference. In the same way, classical poetry and literature written by minds belonging to a different time, a different place and a different community have somehow found a way to transcend the boundaries set by time and space and have been carried through the ages to somehow seep into contemporary times and shape our society in ways we cannot fathom.
Empathy is one major reason. In this current day and age, it seems more and more like we are unable to feel more for the plights and experiences others go through. Poetry itself is an expression of experiences that occur in all the different parts of the human experience and one could learn much from the experiences written from someone who different from them. The poems written during the Harlem Renaissance articulates the perspectives and feelings that African Americans were experiencing during that time and that we are still seeing some of today. One could read poems from these times and really consider what the author is trying to say and could possibly find themselves a bit empathetic towards
When someone imagines a poem, the stereotypical love poem or one about the beauty of nature may come to mind first. Possibly, the reflection on one’s life or a personification of death. A poem critiquing the status quo of society likely is not very high upon that list. However, despite this, poems like “The Trapper’s Boast”, “Fearful Women”, or “Masks” demonstrate how poetry is capable of discussing complex, invocative topics in a way meant to incite revolutionary change. Furthermore, poems are capable of doing so in a way that is not easily matched by many other forms of art because poetry is granted inexhaustible length and depth, truthful passion, and valuable clarity in a way that is more easily consumable by the masses.
Poetry is a genre of literature or art created by humans which consists largely of literary works, distinctive style, and rhythm. Rita Dove is African American women who used poetry as a way to express herself. Born in Ohio, she excelled in school and was honored as a Presidential Scholar and was in the top 100 high school students in the nation. Later in life, she won the poetry Pulitzer Prize for the semi-autobiographical book, Thomas and Beulah, over the lives of Dove’s grandparents. Dove was the first African American women to ever be named the Poet Laureate of the US.
Another reason that the poems have a deeper meaning is that poems are filled with passion in the writing. Sometimes the poet can write a poem to make you actually think or feel you are there as he or she
A mixture of his natural abilities, as well as an deliberate attempt to change the way poetry was made. In his revolutionary Preface to Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth explains his philosophy concerning poetry. Wordsworth states “It was publishes, as an experiment…” (Wordsworth 136). communicating the nature of his work.
Poetry is very difficult to interpret because everybody has a different approach, understand, meaning and point of view. My next writer is an African Americans whose poem is” Black Art” by Amiri Baraka “Black Art”. In the poem “ Black Art “, the poem is dedicated to African American to wake up and reverse the situation , by taking control over everything . The author urges the audience to be conscious and unconscious about African-American. Amiri is saying I need to see all the hardworking of the African American not just word but reality, proof, demonstration, and action been taking. In addition, in a poem the author express his anger; frustration to the audience how he feels and the action need take
Poetry differs from other forms of literature because it tells a story using emotions. They are always so unique because no author is the same, and can all be interpreted a different way by every reader. The text suggest the the reader should “listen to the poem first” after going through it once just reading the words while giving no thought to the meaning of the poem. Then it says to “Articulate your expectations, starting with the title” this is done by not expecting the poem to mean just one thing, the reader needs to keep and open mind when reading poetry.
Also, poetry allows authors to take different approaches to show the same theme. Garrett Hongo and Marcy Piercy use poetry to express the same message, that a person with the identity of a minority cannot achieve the American Dream,
“I know I matter Its only right I do The only privilege I proudly hold It’s my education that inspires me to break out the mold I am wind that disperses seeds I am in your laws rooted deep I, like cracks in concrete floors, still provide you stability Like light waves, I sometimes am invisible
The poems take differing stances on the world around them, and the reasons the author should be forgotten. , both authors
In conclusion, I feel poets mainly write poems to express feelings, thoughts, and messages to the world. It’s an easy approach for them to use this writing technique as a way to articulate different aspects which could be improved in this world. I think what attracts people to poetry is writing which relates to each person in their everyday life no matter how it could be portrayed by. For some people poetry could be a relaxing thing or it could be something which cheers someone up, but people look to poetry to get a deeper thinking in life rather than a simpler thinking. This is clearly evident through authors, William Wordsworth and William Blake, and their poems “The World is too Much with Us” and “The Tyger.” Both poems related to one another one way or another, and they depicted different messages and themes which do relate to real life situations.
Plato and Sidney had some of the same ideas but yet different ideas for poetry at the same time. They may not have the same ideas because of the times that they each lived in. If you think about it, Plato’s time of living was 427-347 B.C. and Sidney lived in the 1500’s. Therefore, each philosopher had a different view of poetry and what it could possible do for their community. Neither one is right nor wrong but, if we, as people, took both of their perceptions to heart, we would probably live in a world that wasn’t so tainted and corruptive.