After reading "The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry" by Perrine, I was initially confused by a few phrases/opinions he shared. When he said "The essential difference between a metaphor and a literary symbol is that a metaphor means something else than
what it is, a literary symbol means something more than what it is.", I was probably the most confused. It took me a while to even begin to understand what Perrine was saying. I still do not fully understand the meaning of this, but I have a guess. I think that a metaphor tells the reader in a more literal or straightforward way what is being compared. Although there are no comparison phrases, what is being compared is literally right next to it. It is merely common sense to realize that these two things are obviously not the same, but the writer connects the two things by explaining. In a literary symbol, something is standing for something else. The thing it stands for has a much deeper meaning and is not as straightforward. The reader must interpret. Instead of seeing the comparison right next to it, the symbol is something that the reader must recognize or find on their own. The writer is not just pointing it out. This is what I think Perrine meant by this concept he stated.
Even though I was a little bit confused, I think that most of what Perrine said can be applied to my own study of poetry in this class. When I read poetry, I honestly have no idea what I am reading. I do not see the deeper meanings. I get confused and pretty much give up on trying to understand what is being said. Usually, I do this because I tell myself that I do not have the ability to understand. I used to think that only certain people could comprehend the poems. Also, I was always embarassed that what I said or interpreted was completely wrong and stupid. Perrine said "There are no correct or incorrect readings: there are only readings which differ more or less widely from a statistical norm". After reading this, I realize that in poetry there are no answers that are totally wrong. It is really an opinion. Also, people are allowed to interpret differently. I am so used to saying it is right or wrong, but now I know that what I think is not wrong. It may be different than what most people think, but it is not wrong. Poetry is open to different interpretations and wants them. From now on, I will make sure to say what I think and will not be afraid to share my thoughts in class.
"After reading this, I realize that in poetry there are no answers that are totally wrong. It is really an opinion."
ReplyDeleteCareful. He doesn't say that NOTHING is wrong. If the details don't support it, it's incorrect, he says. But that doesn't mean there can't be multiple interpretations, so long as the details support it.