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Poetry and drama are different because they are performance art. They aren't meant to be read flat from the page like a novel. I'm doing a module on poetry and there are rules - they're just not literal.
I am bemused why the journalist places poetry above prose and drama. Surely all three are as equal as 'the cornerstone of civilisation'. Well they are to me anyway.
[quote=Stirling]I am bemused why the journalist places poetry above prose and drama. Surely all three are as equal as 'the cornerstone of civilisation'.[/quote]
Have to agree with you Stirling.
To me, Wendy Cope's poetry is exactly how this AA Gill describes prose.... and whilst she is talented, hardly Poet Laureate material, methinks.
The whole article annoys me - why on the second page is he writing in 4 word sentences? "He said hello. He shook my hand. It was Robert Graves." Am I missing the point and is this supposed to be poetic as opposed to prose ? Or is he writing in a style that is inappropriate for the content?
Sorry - am going off on one, but my real irritation is his use of the word "philistinism" which I would have thought is not appropriate in any discussion, conversation or article, unless you are specifically speaking about Palestinians from which the word derives.
(arabic word for Palestine : filistinie or philistinia)
Going to "Have My Say" now on Mr Gill's comment thingy :)
Very poorly argued piece.
Well I think pastry is the cornerstone of civilisation. Isn't it?
Re poetry v prose - there's plenty of room for both. One is as important as the other. And I usually read poetry out loud!
I do think pastry is a lot more important than poetry. I can go for months and months without consuming any poetry, but deprive me of pastry for a fortnight and I go all giddy. Without pastry, what would keep the steak & kidney inside the pie? Pastry is not just a cornerstone but more a foundation of all that it means to be English (which I, btw, am not).
I don't think he is decrying any form, be it prose or whatever, he's just saying that poetry has an elusive quality that is difficult to define.
Thanks for posting it Carol - I've printed it off for future reference and the quiz is useful for my writers' group.