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Yesterday I called poetry a “misunderstood creature.†This stemmed from the fact that few people read poetry, and even fewer consume it. ((This is based on a completely un-scientific sampling of people I’ve known. In fact, I can count on one hand the number of people I know who read poetry on a regular basis.)) The question that arises, then, is “why do we need to learn about it?â€
Here was my answer: ((I know that there have been hundreds of defenses of poetry written—a colleague recently recommended Edmond Spenser’s “the pleasure of poetry . . . inculcates forms of profitable pleasure,†which, I just Googlearned, comes from Horace.))
Poetry : absurd thinking : : Math equations : logic. To put it a different way, poetry helps us define our associative muscles, helps us better make metaphorical connections within our world. I’ve been saying for years that we think and communicate in metaphor. In order to explain something to someone else, we usually compare the unknown to something known. The example I gave in class is that a plantain is like a banana, but brown or green, less sweet, and more starchy. I relied on your understanding of what a banana looks like, then modified it to help you imagine an unknown fruit.
Poetry works the same way. When Wilfred Owen ((Who, I just learned, was killed in battle one week before the end of the war…)) tosses image after image at his readers in “Dulce et Decorum Est,†he is setting a scene that contrasts greatly with the common understanding of war. By comparing soldiers to “hags,†he undermines his audience’s image of the great and proud British soldier, and delivers the final blow by following a painfully descriptive account of the death of a soldier with “the old lie†that “it is sweet and fitting to die for one’s country.â€
There is a psychological term for our image of “war†and “bananasâ€; it is called a schema. While mathematical thinking helps us to better think on the literal, logical level by manipulating variables and such, poetry and literature allow us to improve our metaphorical thinking. We are building schemata by vicariously experiencing new events and ideas, then breaking them down and rebuilding them as we analyze.
So what’s the point? I recently read Made to Stick by Chip and Dan Heath, and they gave a solid explanation of what they call “generative analogiesâ€:
Some analogies are so useful that they don’t merely shed light on a concept, they actually become platforms for novel thinking. For example, the metaphor of the brain as a computer has been central to the insights generated by cognitive psychologists during the past fifty years. It’s easier to define how a computer works than to define how the brain works. For this reason it can be fruitful for psychologists to use various, well-understood aspects of a computer—such as memory, buffers, or processors —as inspiration to locate similar functions in the brain.
Good metaphors are "generative." The psychologist Donald Schon introduced this term to describe metaphors that generate "new perceptions, explanations, and inventions." ((Heath, Chip. Made to Stick. New York: Random House, 2007. 60. Print.))
Thinking metaphorically, even absurdly, allows us to come up with novel ideas, with new ways of thinking. ((See John von Neumann’s The Computer and the Brain)) Mathematical equations allow us to better comprehend the world as we know it within the boundaries of logic. Poetry and literature help us better understand ideas an concepts that aren’t logical—emotions, relationships, inventions “that just shouldn’t work†(think DaVinci or Escher, as much artists as they were mathematicians), innovative ways of looking at the world—that, my friends, is why we read poetry.
Find two words with nearly identical definitions in two separate contexts (or write two different contexts around similar words) that emphasize two different connotations.
For example:
Today I told the story of Joe from Johnny Got His Gun, which presented a terrifying vision of what it means to be isolated. The connotation comes from the main character’s terror, helplessness, and inability to communicate.
In Pablo Neruda “Unity,†however, gives us a very different view of what it means to be isolated:
I work quietly, wheeling over myself,
a crow over death, a crow in mourning.
I mediate, isolated in the spread of seasons,
centric, encircled by a silent geometry:
a partial temperature drifts down from the sky,
a distant empire of confused unities
reunites encircling me. ((Neruda, Pablo. “Unity.†Poets.org. 2005. Web.))
From Shelby:
She chose the color blue. Colors are not something I considered for this project, but would work very well. If you are having trouble finding a word that works for this project, try a color, an emotion, an element (earth, fire, water, wind).
I found “Goodbye Blue Sky†from Pink Floyd and I think it works. When it refers to "blue sky," I think it means goodbye to peace and normality not necessarily a pretty blue sky.
Did you see the frightened ones
Did you hear the falling bombs
Did you ever wonder
Why we had to run for shelter
When the promise of a brave new world
Unfurled beneath a clear blue sky
Oooooooo ooo ooooo oooh
Did you see the frightened ones
Did you hear the falling bombs
The flames are all long gone
But the pain lingers on
Goodbye blue sky
Goodbye blue sky
Goodbye
Goodbye
Alright, my second one is Elvis’ “Blue Christmas.†In this case the word blue is used as a synonym for sad or down. Elvis does an interesting thing in this song, when he uses the colors red, green and white he means the actual color but when blue is used it could be removed and replaced with sad or depressing.
Ill have a blue Christmas without you
Ill be so blue just thinking about you
Decorations of red on a green Christmas tree
Wont be the same dear, if youre not here with me
And when those blue snowflakes start falling
Thats when those blue memories start calling
Youll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white
But Ill have a blue, blue blue blue Christmas
Youll be doin all right, with your Christmas of white,
But Ill have a blue, blue Christmas.
Post your examples below. If you have any questions, post them below as well or email me.
August 14, 2009 at 5:07 pm
YAHOOOOOOOO!!!! Yes and amen.
August 15, 2009 at 10:57 pm
my two words are Bound and Determined
August 16, 2009 at 8:24 am
Zac, you could actually just use the word “bound.” It’s a great example of a word that means two completely different things depending on context. We say someone is “bound to” do something when they are “very likely” to do something, but we also say that someone is “bound” when they are tied up, immobile. Great word. Now find me two examples that show each of the meanings!
August 16, 2009 at 6:58 pm
My word is chemistry.
August 16, 2009 at 6:59 pm
bipolar is the word i have chosen.
examples:
the earth has two poles or regions, north and south.
the word can also be used as opposites.
not to mention the bipolar disorder.
August 16, 2009 at 8:11 pm
My word is fight.
Examples:
To contend in battle or combat.
To put forth a determined effort.
August 16, 2009 at 8:15 pm
umm the word i thought that maybe has a different connotation is hot
example: It’s amazingly hot out here.
That boy over there is really hot.
August 16, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Objective
Examples:
A therapist or analyst would have an emotion-free, unbiased opinion on an issue; an objective view.
A list of detailed objectives or goals to accomplish in a set amount of time.
August 16, 2009 at 8:18 pm
Looks good, guys. I need example sentences. Poetry and song lyrics are a good place to start.
August 25, 2009 at 4:47 pm
Just testing…
August 16, 2009 at 8:19 pm
“tip of the iceberg” which could mean, literally the tip of a literal iceberg, or also could mean you aren’t fully aware of all the details.
“let the cat out of the bag” which could mean freeing the little kitty, or revealing a secret.
August 16, 2009 at 8:21 pm
My word is “wicked”
Wicked can mean evil like a wicked creature of darkness,
or wicked can mean awsome like that’s totally wicked!
August 16, 2009 at 8:21 pm
gravy. Could you please pass the gravy? or This is gravy. Meaning easy
August 16, 2009 at 8:44 pm
my word is contacts.
Example 1. Yesterday after Lily and I got into a fight i deleted her from my contacts in my phone.
In this context the word contacts is being used as a list of people.
Example 2. I can’t see a thing! I’m going to go put in my contacts.
In this context the word contacts is being used as the contacts you put on your eye to see.
August 16, 2009 at 9:26 pm
Nathan Givens
Hour 5
Stallings
My word is dream. Some definitions of this word are:
a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep; “I had a dream about you last night”
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake; “he lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality”
ambition: a cherished desire; “his ambition is to own his own business”
An example of this word comes from the song “Dream on†by Aerosmith.
Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me, if its just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away
(x2)
Dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on…
Another example of this word comes from the song “Faust, Midas, and Myself†by Switchfoot
This one’s about a dream
I had last night
How an old man tracked me home
And stepped inside
He put his foot inside the door
And gave a crooked smile
Something in his eyes
Something in his laugh
Something in his voice
That made my skin crawl off
He said, “I’ve seen you here before
I know your name.
You could have your pick
Of pretty things.
You could have it all
Everything at once.
Everything you’ve seen,
Everything you’ll need,
Everything you’ve ever had in fantasies.”
“You’ve one life,
You’ve one life.
You’ve one life left to lead.”
I woke up from my dream
As a golden man
With a girl I’ve never seen
With golden skin
I jumped up to my feet
She asked me what was wrong
I began to scream
I don’t think this is me
Is this just a dream
Or really happening?
What direction?
What direction?
I’m splitting up!
I’m splitting up!
This is my personal disaffection
What direction? What direction?
What direction now?
I looked outside the glass
At golden shores
Golden ships and masts
With golden cords
As my reflection passed
I hated what I saw
My golden eyes were dead
And a thought passed through my head
A heart that is made of gold can’t really beat at all
I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold
What direction?
Death or action!
Life begins at the intersection.
I woke up as before
But the gold was gone
My wife was at the door
With her night robe on
My heart beat once or twice
And life flooded my veins
Everything had changed
My lungs had found their voice
And what was once routine
And what was once routine was now the perfect joy
You’ve one life
You’ve one life
One life left to lead
“Dream on†seems to mean dreaming as having goals and ambitions, where “Faust, Midas and Myself†uses the first definition. “Dream on†says that dreaming is a good thing, meant to be done and even spent time upon. “Faust, Midas and Myself†tells the story of a nightmare that the singer has which help him to appreciate his life.
August 16, 2009 at 9:37 pm
Alright, so. I’m going to use a different word: “Cheese”
As in money.
Example:Too Short’s song, “Get That Cheese”
It’s payday!
Get, that, cheese!
We gotta
Get, that, cheese!
We gotta
Get, that, cheese!
Just
Get, that, cheese!
[Verse One]
Now when you dreamin, it might not be real
But when you’re all alone, that’s how you feel
Do what you want, you just need a plan
Little money and a car, you could be the man
Cause havin money’s what you’re ‘sposed to do
Spend some, then people start to notice you
Get all the things that you wish you had
Now all that little stuff don’t get you mad
And once you get your foot in the door
Don’t start actin like you can’t look for more
There’s always more money to be made
It’s not everything, I know you wanna be paid
You should write it down and do the math
Anything in the world is what you can have
So listen to your potnah $hort
Get your money young man, you ain’t gotta be broke, just
[Chorus]
Get, that, cheese!
Also, meaning a dairy product.
Example:Hannah Montana’s song “Cheese Jerkyâ€
I’m the man who had the cheese
I’m the man who had the jerky
We Put ’em both Together and yeah it really workey
Cheese Jerky
Say What, Say What
Cheese Jerky
Say What, Say What
Mozzerella moose, swiss and mugooda turkey
Just one taste and it’ll drive you bezerkey!
Cheese Jerky
Say What, Say What
Cheese Jerky
Say What, Say What
Ane it’s all
Freaky freaky freaky fresh.
August 16, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Head:
1. a leader; leader of the pack.
2. your noggin
August 16, 2009 at 10:11 pm
My word is Hound.
1.Any of several breeds of dogs used for typically hunting having large dropping ears.(You ain’t nothing but a hound dog.) Elvis
2.Pursue or chase relentlessly. (My mother hounds me about doing my homework. such as this assignment.)
August 16, 2009 at 10:33 pm
My word is dream. Some definitions of this word are:
a series of mental images and emotions occurring during sleep; “I had a dream about you last night”
imaginative thoughts indulged in while awake; “he lives in a dream that has nothing to do with reality”
ambition: a cherished desire; “his ambition is to own his own business”
An example of this word comes from the song “Dream on†by Aerosmith.
Sing with me, sing for the years
Sing for the laughter, sing for the tears
Sing with me, if its just for today
Maybe tomorrow the good lord will take you away
(x2)
Dream on, dream on
Dream yourself a dream come true
Dream on, dream on
Dream until your dream come true
Dream on, dream on, dream on…
Another example of this word comes from the song “Faust, Midas, and Myself†by Switchfoot
This one’s about a dream
I had last night
How an old man tracked me home
And stepped inside
He put his foot inside the door
And gave a crooked smile
Something in his eyes
Something in his laugh
Something in his voice
That made my skin crawl off
He said, “I’ve seen you here before
I know your name.
You could have your pick
Of pretty things.
You could have it all
Everything at once.
Everything you’ve seen,
Everything you’ll need,
Everything you’ve ever had in fantasies.”
“You’ve one life,
You’ve one life.
You’ve one life left to lead.”
I woke up from my dream
As a golden man
With a girl I’ve never seen
With golden skin
I jumped up to my feet
She asked me what was wrong
I began to scream
I don’t think this is me
Is this just a dream
Or really happening?
What direction?
What direction?
I’m splitting up!
I’m splitting up!
This is my personal disaffection
What direction? What direction?
What direction now?
I looked outside the glass
At golden shores
Golden ships and masts
With golden cords
As my reflection passed
I hated what I saw
My golden eyes were dead
And a thought passed through my head
A heart that is made of gold can’t really beat at all
I wanted to wake up again
Without a touch of gold
What direction?
Death or action!
Life begins at the intersection.
I woke up as before
But the gold was gone
My wife was at the door
With her night robe on
My heart beat once or twice
And life flooded my veins
Everything had changed
My lungs had found their voice
And what was once routine
And what was once routine was now the perfect joy
You’ve one life
You’ve one life
One life left to lead
“Dream on†seems to mean dreaming as having goals and ambitions, where “Faust, Midas and Myself†uses the first definition. “Dream on†says that dreaming is a good thing, meant to be done and even spent time upon. “Faust, Midas and Myself†tells the story of a nightmare that the singer has which help him to appreciate his life.
August 16, 2009 at 10:54 pm
my word is ”hot”
Hey dude, see that girl sitting at the table at your 7 o’clock, shes hot.
and
Man, it’s really hot outside today.
August 17, 2009 at 7:06 pm
Sorry this was late, I wasn’t at school today and was planning on giving it in class.
My word is gravity
– a solemn and dignified feeling
-(physics) the force of attraction between all masses in the universe; especially the attraction of the earth’s mass for bodies near its surface …
August 17, 2009 at 7:09 pm
ie
“They did not understand the gravity of the situation”
“Gravity is what keeps australians from falling off the Earth”
August 17, 2009 at 8:30 pm
My word is ruler.
1. Hu Jintao is currently the ruler of China. ( As in the leader of the country)
2. Today, I used a ruler in math to see how many centimeters my folder is.