Conversation 1: Why Study Poetry? Graduate Course (Preview Content)

Note: After viewing this lecture, return to the Eastern University student portal to continue progressing through this course.

Discussion topics:

• (00:40) Poetry shows us that not everyone thinks the way we do.
• (02:14) Poetry gives us back the hour. Poetry allows the dead to mentor us.
• (06:00) Poems wake us up. They make us alert.
• (07:30) Poems give you access to another person’s life in a very intimate way.
• (07:40) Totalitarian governments shut down the language artists (poets in particular).
• (10:15) Your relationship to language changes when you study poetry.
• (10:50) Poetry helps you to learn how to interpret.
• (11:40) Poetry gives you a sense of metaphor.