Perrine Poetry

"The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry"

By: Laurence Perrine"

"I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word." This powerful quote by Emily Dickinson represents the theme of Perrine's article about the interpretations of poetry and literature. For, Perrine sees the value of interpretations in illustrating the depth of understanding as, while there may be many possible meanings, there is often one that is most correct. I agree with such an approach as Perrine supports his argument by stating, "...any interpretation is acceptable which lies within that are (of meaning)..." but that the best interpretation "...is that which most fully explains the details of the poem without itself being contradicted by any detail..." and "...which relies on the fewest assumptions..." The poet guides the reader to certain thoughts, opinions, and interpretations through the use of expansions, but also challenges the reader to find their own meaning by using symbols and analogies so as not to limit its depth. Like Perrine, I feel that there can be many different interpretations for a poetic peace, but that a poem can not mean absolutely anything as some topics are simply not connected. With such being true, Perrine wisely explains that the most satisfactory interpretation is that which fills every corner of the piece. While it is often easy to make assumptions and conclusions, the interpretation that uses the most literal and direct meaning is the most accurate and precise. 

Upon first reading Perrine's article about the interpretation of poetry, I was struck by the idea he presents in the phrase "No poet..likes to be caught in the predicament of having to explain his own poems." This sentence describes the source of the topic of the article as it is the poets indirectness that leaves the reader to find their own meaning in a piece. Although I think poets often have an intention and purpose in their writing,  I think they also allow others to find their own inspiration and meaning in their pieces. It is this mastery and inability to sate what the poem means "without admitting failure" that gives poetry its value as an artwork with countless different angles all of which present a different picture that even the artist didn't always intend or see. Thus, I found Perrine's strategy of taking apart each poem and looking at the diction and imagery for more detailed meaning very helpful and wise. In interpreting poetry in class, I can use Perrine's advice as a guide in working to look at every aspect of a poem as a clue to solving the mystery of its meaning. I can look at diction to understand the strength of a symbol, each individual word as a description of the topic, and the context as either a confining or expanding aspect of a poem. It is the power of words that create new worlds.