Joe D wrote:
Andrew, in this formulation, Poetry (we must now capitalize the P) gets to
stand above everything else. Poetry is the one thing, on this view, that
stands outside ideology. But poetry is just one more social practice
embedded in any number of overlapping & conflicting ideologies.
If you want to talk about poetry foregrounding such conflicts & making us
aware of them, that would be another thing . . .
jd
It would be depressing if this were true. But it's simply a reflection of
the Usual. I like Poetry with a capital P. Otherwise, what's the point of
reading it? Good God (and I mean this in the Billy Jamesian sense) can't
there be something not caught up in all the cant -- that points beyond it?
Yes, God said, there can. Transcends and is then overwhelmed and ignored --
very true. But there is a permanence of transcending not a part of a social
practice yet available. Evidence everywhere and one of the best little bits
the fact that a great poem eludes its cultured despisers and even its
fervent paramours. Always something beyond one's grasp (or what's a heaven
for?) .
The formula "poetry is just one more social practice" seems just an
assertion with the "just" blithely consigning it to all other social
practices indiscriminately. It elides this and that which must be shown.
Why not -- poetry is that which questions social practice? Or is "King
Lear? caught up in ideology and all the this and that about a great work of
literature questioning you simply a piety to be disregarded?
Or is there a final ideology of Lear -- the play itself caught up in an
ideology that its final comprehenders can show us?
Sorry that I don't buy the all is ideology schtick. Doesn't hold up to the
genealogical method.
Yes, Poetry should stand above everything else. Great poetry, of course.
Not available for social practice, not merely foregrounding conflict to make
"us" aware of it but gesturing towards something beyond the chattering of
"us" and the apprehensions of the Now.
On 10/26/07, andrew burke <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> Joe, y're a thinking man. I particulalry liked this:
> 'Poetry is whatever manages to get said in spite of all the various
> systems
> and ideologies that exist to prevent that saying.
> If many, or this group or that group, want to impose a system that insists
> that poetry avoid the sentimental, than this is just what exists to be
> overcome, ignored, disregarded.'
>
> ... and the poor adjunct teaching in North Dakota ... ha ha ...
>
>
> I'm taking a workshop this afternoon, a walking workshop (influenced by
> Stephen Vincent's works and interviews) and I always tell 'em, Break a few
> rules (a la Pete Townshend) ... and Take Risks! (John Marsden, Aussie YAL
> writer) ... I'll quote them this as well, Joe.
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