Comments on: The Apple Tablet http://linebreak.org/blog/2010/01/27/the-apple-tablet/ A weblog from the editors of Linebreak Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:24:08 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 hourly 1 By: Ashley http://linebreak.org/blog/2010/01/27/the-apple-tablet/comment-page-1/#comment-835 Ashley Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:24:08 +0000 http://linebreak.org/blog/?p=1523#comment-835 Well put! As you said, seeing the poem for yourself is crucial, I agree - the poem has to stand on its own as a matter of course, though it might be informed or strengthened by its allusions, etc. I've always thought the point in using an allusion is to shift the reader's understanding of the original, to light it in a new way, to cast new shadows over it, but that - in the end - as Ezra Pound said, the hawk has to be a hawk: the poem has to affect the uninformed reader emotionally somehow, to offer a pleasure that makes the reader want to do the research and then return. It has to be whole unto itself. But, then, I have it out for concept-poems generally. Not everyone has that grudge. So. It's probably just me. Well put! As you said, seeing the poem for yourself is crucial, I agree – the poem has to stand on its own as a matter of course, though it might be informed or strengthened by its allusions, etc.

I’ve always thought the point in using an allusion is to shift the reader’s understanding of the original, to light it in a new way, to cast new shadows over it, but that – in the end – as Ezra Pound said, the hawk has to be a hawk: the poem has to affect the uninformed reader emotionally somehow, to offer a pleasure that makes the reader want to do the research and then return. It has to be whole unto itself.

But, then, I have it out for concept-poems generally. Not everyone has that grudge. So. It’s probably just me.

]]> By: Amy http://linebreak.org/blog/2010/01/27/the-apple-tablet/comment-page-1/#comment-820 Amy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:31:48 +0000 http://linebreak.org/blog/?p=1523#comment-820 I like your speculation, and there's something exciting about all the possibilities, but I don't like the idea of so much context so quickly. Where's the reflection in that? I want to formulate my own thoughts on a poem before I read a hundred of someone else's or have someone explain every allusion to me. I want to wallow in my own allusions/illusions for a while. It's the same reason I don't read the guidebook till after I leave the museum--I want to see it for myself first. I like your speculation, and there’s something exciting about all the possibilities, but I don’t like the idea of so much context so quickly. Where’s the reflection in that? I want to formulate my own thoughts on a poem before I read a hundred of someone else’s or have someone explain every allusion to me. I want to wallow in my own allusions/illusions for a while. It’s the same reason I don’t read the guidebook till after I leave the museum–I want to see it for myself first.

]]> By: Amy http://linebreak.org/blog/2010/01/27/the-apple-tablet/comment-page-1/#comment-819 Amy Tue, 02 Feb 2010 20:31:20 +0000 http://linebreak.org/blog/?p=1523#comment-819 I like your speculation, and there's something exciting about all the possibilities, but I don't like the idea of so much context so quickly. Where's the reflection in that? I want to formulate my own thoughts on a poem before I read a hundred of someone else's or have someone explain every allusion to me. I want to wallow in my own allusions/illusions for a while. It's the same reason I don't read the guidebook till after I leave the museum--I want to see it for myself first. I like your speculation, and there’s something exciting about all the possibilities, but I don’t like the idea of so much context so quickly. Where’s the reflection in that? I want to formulate my own thoughts on a poem before I read a hundred of someone else’s or have someone explain every allusion to me. I want to wallow in my own allusions/illusions for a while. It’s the same reason I don’t read the guidebook till after I leave the museum–I want to see it for myself first.

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