"Genuine poetry can communicate before it is understood."
T.S. Eliot
I always have a hard time teaching poetry. We talk about universal human experiences, the dance of interpretation, and the power of words. They just want to know what it MEANS, though. I tell them to read it several times, focusing on what does speak to them--the part that stands out. The lines that "get" them. I found this quote by Eliot today. It's true, and it expresses my frustration in teaching poetry. They want to understand the plot before the poem can communicate truth to them. I understand their quest, but I hate it, too. The first time I taught a particularly subliminal poem, I Googled it and read interpretation and criticisms on the Internet. And I judge them for their lack of artistic eyes.
2 comments:
Sherry,
This is helpful. Just a couple of weeks ago I listened to the new Caedmon's Call cd (I know. your favorite. CCM). As I listened to it twice while I was driving I was moved and really gripped by a few songs. When I got home, I pulled the lyric sheet out to try to better understand them. When I read 2 or 3 of the songs, I couldn't figure out exactly what they were talking about. My experience was a bit different, since the music communicates things the lyrics don't. But the Eliot quote is helpful in interpreting my experience anyway.
-Mark
What was the subliminal poem you googled? I have only ever taught poetry yo Freshman and Sophomores -- Jeff Frienen's classes -- and I was only there for a day; I spoke of the raw emotion and passion in it. We didn't deconstruct anything, though I had them do exercises to construct poetry together and go through the revision process. But I totally understand what you mean, especially when I read Keats.
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