Okay. You remember that I’ve mentioned that it’s important to
read the (36) poems aloud, so you can develop an appreciation
of the sounds of the poetry: the rhymes, the (37) , the
repetition of words or sounds, and to get a sense of the interplay between the
sounds of the words and their meaning. This is really
(38) as we move into modem poetry, especially by writers who
place so much importance on sounds that the meaning becomes all letter-relevant.
Like this line by Gertrude Stein that I’d like to (39) .
Listen as I say the words. "Rose is a rose is a rose is a rose." (40)
literally, this would seem to be an empty statement, one which gives
us no information. But the purpose of a poem need not be to inform the reader of
anything, but rather to evoke feelings. To create a sensual as well as
phonically (41) experience. Now Gertrude Stein was better
known for her prose than for her poems. But I’d like to quote this line, because
of its musicality, and because I think it helps open up our (42)
to the unconventional style of (43) poets. You’ll
see this in your homework tonight as you read the poetry of John Ashbery,
(44) , which I recommend you do. Poets like Ashbery don’t
rely so much on any formal rhyme scheme or meter as on the musical quality of
the individual words themselves. As I said, (45) . And now
I’d like to touch briefly on her essay entitled "Conversation and Explanation".
(46) .