Gentle Readers . . . and Maxwell,
Those of you who are regular readers have no doubt seen me mention that you should never confuse the speaker in the poem with the poet. Just because I write about something in a poem, it doesn't mean it happened to me. Let's consider the two poems I wrote for my children: "Mama Zeus and Katrina Athena" and "Boy" at http://dumpedfirstwife.blogspot.com/2011/12/boy.html ."
Am I the poet? Yes. Did I write these poems for MY children? Yes. Am I the speaker in the poem? No. My daughter did not spring from my head to be born as a fully-grown goddess. My son did not have to fly away from an island on wings made of wax and feathers by his father.
I learned to conduct the critical analysis of literature through the use of New Criticism (not really new -- it started in the 1930s and is coming back into vogue). Try thinking of New Criticism as placing a poem or a short story or a novel in a bell jar and studying the text from all angles. Don't compare it to other poems; don't consider the poet's experiences; don't concern yourself with the time period in which it was written unless it's relevant to the text.
New Criticism = Close Textual Analysis
As for poetry, poetry does not make statements. Poetry suggests; poetry indicates. Although the sound of the poetry achieved through the words I use is important to me, I am more concerned with the images I present by putting the words together. And I don't care if the words rhyme.
I appreciate the many kind comments you have made on my poems, but I want to make sure we're on the same page. When Yeats wrote "Leda and the Swan," I assure you he was not present when Zeus turned himself into a swan to rape Leda, a young woman. I can suggest all sorts of things in poetry, but it doesn't make them true.
Normally, my poetry and my fiction come from a kernel of truth in my life -- but that's all.
Infinities of love,
Lola
My motto as an editor: Authors are the authority on their work. I'm a full-service editor. For a reasonable fee, I'm your writing coach from the first suggested revision to the correction of the final typo.
Poetry is for intellectuals. I'm just confused. You wrote it but you didn't say it. My head hurts.
ReplyDeleteI think the reason it causes so much confusion is becasue many people blog poetry as a way of safely and figuratively expressing what they are feeling. Therefore they are the poet and the speaker. I do this. On the rare occasion I am just writing to write, I usually title it as fictional.
ReplyDeleteI know you don't usually write this way, as you have pointed out many times. I can see your use of intellectual spins to create a story in prose. It's beautiful.
So, no confusion here. :) I will still write and comment, and not worry so much about 'cha.
;)
It's like crime novels. An author writes about a psychotic serial killer, but isn't necessarily one.
ReplyDeleteNice tutorial!
ReplyDeleteI understand--& I LOVE your poems!
ReplyDeleteHAPPY NEW YEAR, Lola!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I should also point out that many other kinds of critical analysis exist: feminist, Marxist, historical, etc. My beloved mentor Dr. Charles W. Carter taught New Criticism, so it's what I use. Of course, feminism creeps into some of my writing, too.
ReplyDeleteCoffey, Read Rory's (The Writer Currently Knows As Rory) comment. I think it will help you understand. Your comment is first, then Julianna's, and Rory's is third.
ReplyDelete