For This Paper, You Are Asked To Show What You Have Learned

For This Paper You Are Asked To Show What You Have Learned So Far Abou

Compare two poems, selecting one from "The Art of (Reading) Poetry" and one from Adrienne Rich's or Pat Mora's poetry albums. Write an essay supporting a claim about how these two poems relate concerning the nature and experience of poetry, based on their main ideas, techniques, and reflection of what poetry should be.

Paper For Above instruction

Compare two poems, selecting one from "The Art of (Reading) Poetry" and one from Adrienne Rich's or Pat Mora's poetry albums. Write an essay supporting a claim about how these two poems relate concerning the nature and experience of poetry, based on their main ideas, techniques, and reflection of what poetry should be.

Introduction

The exploration of poetry’s essence and its impact on readers is a central concern in understanding the art of poetry. This essay examines the relationship between a poem from "The Art of (Reading) Poetry" and a poem by Adrienne Rich or Pat Mora. Through detailed analysis, I will argue how these poems reflect or challenge prevailing ideas about poetry’s purpose, aesthetic qualities, and the reader’s experience. By comparing their techniques, themes, and reflections on poetry, I aim to demonstrate how each piece contributes to deeper insights into what poetry is and what it aspires to be in our lives.

Selection of Poems and Rationale

The first poem, selected from "The Art of (Reading) Poetry," is Elizabeth Alexander’s "Ars Poetica #100: I Believe" because it eloquently articulates the personal and transformative power of poetry. It emphasizes the emotional and philosophical engagement poetry demands and the intimate relationship between poet, poem, and reader. The second poem is Adrienne Rich’s "Poetry," chosen because it critically reflects on the political, social, and personal importance of poetry, aligning with Alexander’s views while adding a layer of activism and voice to the discussion.

Analysis of "Ars Poetica #100: I Believe"

Elizabeth Alexander’s "Ars Poetica #100: I Believe" presents poetry as a vital act of belief—an act of faith rooted in emotion, memory, and cultural identity. Alexander declares that poetry is "not an enterprise but a prayer," indicating its spiritual dimension and its capacity to bridge individual experience with collective history. The poem’s diction is tender and assertive, exploring the belief that poetry sustains human connection. The poem reflects the idea that poetry should evoke emotional truth and serve as a profound act of communication—qualities that Alexander emphasizes as central to the art.

The poem’s rhythm, though free-form, creates a meditative cadence that encourages reflection, mirroring the contemplative process of engaging with poetry. Alexander’s use of personal and collective imagery weaves individual emotion with broader societal concerns, exemplifying how poetry embodies both intimacy and universality. Her tone—intimate yet assertive—reinforces the idea that poetry is both a personal necessity and a civic duty, aligning with the ideals expressed in "The Art of (Reading) Poetry".

Analysis of Adrienne Rich’s "Poetry"

Adrienne Rich’s "Poetry" emphasizes poetry’s political and transformative power. She describes poetry as "a vessel for human consciousness" and underscores its role in challenging societal injustices. Rich's diction is assertive and evocative, with phrases like "a vast reservoir" and "a speaker’s cry," which evoke poetry’s capacity to serve as a voice for marginalized groups and individual dissent.

The main idea in Rich’s poem is that poetry is an act of resistance and a tool for societal change, echoing Alexander’s emphasis on poetry’s emotional and cultural significance but extending it into the realm of activism. Rich’s rhythmic variation—shifting from calm to impassioned—mirrors the dynamism of political struggles and personal awakening through poetry. Her tone is urgent and earnest, aligning with her belief that poetry must reflect social realities and inspire action, thus expanding the concept of poetry as not just a personal or aesthetic pursuit but a collective force.

Comparison of the Poems

Both poems celebrate poetry’s capacity to capture and express human experience, yet they approach this goal from different angles. Alexander’s "I Believe" focuses on the spiritual and emotional resonance of poetry, emphasizing its role as a personal prayer or act of faith. Rich’s "Poetry" broadens this view, emphasizing the political and societal potential of poetry to serve as a voice for change and resistance. Despite their differences, both poems agree that poetry has a transformative power and must connect deeply with human life.

In terms of technique, both poets utilize vivid imagery and charged diction to evoke emotional responses. Alexander’s gentle rhythm fosters a contemplative mood, while Rich’s variable cadence creates a sense of urgency. Their use of figurative language—Alexander’s metaphors of belief and comfort, and Rich’s images of voice and resistance—serves to deepen the reader’s engagement. These techniques support their central ideas: that poetry is a vital, dynamic, and emotionally charged art form essential for personal and societal reflection.

Reflection on Personal Reading Experience

Reading Alexander’s poem aligns with her depiction of poetry as a spiritual act—engaging and reflective, it invites the reader into a shared space of belief and cultural memory. Conversely, Rich’s "Poetry" provokes a sense of activism and responsibility, inspiring an active engagement with social issues through poetic expression. The differing tones and techniques—from Alexander’s meditative pace to Rich’s passionate urgency—highlight the multifaceted nature of poetry and how it can serve both personal solace and societal change. Both poems reinforce the idea that reading poetry involves emotional openness and active interpretation, fulfilling the ideals they promote.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the comparison of Elizabeth Alexander’s "Ars Poetica #100: I Believe" and Adrienne Rich’s "Poetry" reveals a nuanced understanding of poetry’s role as both a personal act of faith and a collective tool for change. While varying in tone and technique, both champions of poetry highlight its capacity to influence, inspire, and reflect human truths. Their--techniques, themes, and reflections—demonstrate that poetry’s essence lies in its ability to connect deeply with individual and societal realities, embodying the ideals expressed in "The Art of (Reading) Poetry". Through this analysis, we gain insight into how poetry continues to serve as a vital expression of human experience, fulfilling its artful promise to elevate and transform.

References

  • Alexander, Elizabeth. "Ars Poetica #100: I Believe." In The Art of (Reading) Poetry. Norton Anthology, 2010.
  • Rich, Adrienne. "Poetry." In Selected Poems. Norton, 2001.
  • Milosz, Czesław. "Ars Poetica." In Unattainable Earth. Ecco, 1999.
  • MacLeish, Archibald. "Ars Poetica." Poets.org, American Academy of Poets, 1936.
  • Moore, Marianne. "Poetry." The Complete Poems of Marianne Moore. Library of America, 1994.
  • Collins, Billy. "Introduction to Poetry." In Beach Reads. Random House, 2005.
  • Alvarez, Julia. "Poetry Makes Nothing Happen?" In Poetry and the World. Beacon Press, 1993.
  • Mora, Pat. "Poetry." In Ofrenda: In Memory of Ruben Santiago. Arte Público Press, 1997.
  • Williams, William Carlos. "The Poem." In The Necessary Angel. New Directions, 1952.
  • Frye, Northrop. Anatomy of Criticism. Princeton University Press, 1957.

Related Assignments