“How to read Poem is part attitude and part technique.” To restate the quote with reference to Hirsch’s idea of intensification is: Engaging with a poem involves a blend of personal disposition and acquired skills.
In my personal experience with reading poetry, I find that Edward Hirsch’s statement, “reading a poem is part attitude and part technique.” is true. When approaching a poem , the attitude which I engage with the text greatly influences my understanding and appreciation of it .Having an open and receptive attitude allows me to connect with the emotions and ideas conveyed by the poet. For example , in William Butler Yeats’ poem “The lake Isle of Innisfree,” my attitude of longing for quietness and escape sound with the poem’s theme of seeking solace in nature. The opening lines of the poem, “I will arise and go now, and go to Innisfree,” immediately captured my attention and bring to mind a sense of longing within me.
2 thoughts on “Mikesha Brown- toussaint discussion 9”
I agree with your point of view. I feel your point about the importance of attitude in connecting with the emotions and ideas of a poem is spot on. Yeats’s “The Lake Island of Innisfree” certainly evokes feelings of longing and tranquility, and I too resonate with that desire to find tranquility in nature. Your connection to the poem’s theme of seeking solace is easy to resonate with, especially in today’s fast-paced world. I find it amazing how poetry allows me to access and process my emotions in such a profound way. I feel that attitude and technique both play an important role in fully understanding the depth and beauty of poetry!
I agree with the viewpoint that attitude plays a crucial role in connecting with a poem’s emotions and ideas. They appreciate the connection between the poem and the desire for peace in nature, and how poetry allows for emotional processing. They believe that attitude and skill are equally important in understanding the depth and beauty of poetry.