Do you think poetry is all about interpretation?

This is the place for readers of poetry. Discuss poetry and literary art. You can also discuss music here, including lyrics. Also, you can discuss poets themselves, in addition to poetry.
adamgreenrock
Posts: 140
Joined: 13 Mar 2019, 03:21
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 16
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-adamgreenrock.html
Latest Review: Away To Me, My Love by Naomi McDonald

Re: Do you think poetry is all about interpretation?

Post by adamgreenrock »

Whether it is subtle on its writing or just a bunch of false meaning, I think poetry can express itself on a lot of things. I usually don't care if it rhymes or not as long as its consistent with its theme.
Zainabreadsnow
Posts: 259
Joined: 13 Jul 2020, 13:17
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-zainabreadsnow.html
Latest Review: Of Zots and Xoodles by Zarqnon the Embarrassed

Post by Zainabreadsnow »

I think poetry can be determined as good or maybe not for me. I do think a lot of that depends on writing style and skill but a lot of it also depends on the reader and what their experiences are.
User avatar
MrsTurner2013
Posts: 90
Joined: 19 Sep 2020, 07:12
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-mrsturner2013.html
Latest Review: Divided World by Kenneth Pickering

Post by MrsTurner2013 »

Mrs_Zucco wrote: 21 May 2016, 09:29 I do not think poetry is "all" about interpretation; nor do I think any one person can honestly judge whether a poem is good or bad based solely on interpretation. Putting aside the other ways of judging a poem, (whether it is a contest or has a required form standard) interpretation in it's own right, (an explanation of what one person understands something to mean that is being told to another) is not a tangible area to judge. Interpretation can easily be tainted by the interpreter's own senses or memories, his life history; thus, he may interpret a writing in a completely different way than what the author intended. Can we, then, state the poem is bad because the author's view when writing it was not the same as view the interpreter received when he read it? No. I believe that which invites us to "think" is good. All emotion and action starts with a single thought. It's my opinion that whether or not in a required, standard form; true art not only leaves the viewer or reader with a sense of what the product is in its obvious sense, but a spark of emotion, a lingering moment of thought, a question, a doubt, perhaps an awareness or invitation to peruse that subject in one's own memory for an awakening, a memory of denied, unfinished business disguised as a brilliant analogy, a tender smile, that one, single tear. In no way does this mean if the product does not provoke such an emotion it is a failure. In the form of a poem, the information has all ready been gathered, reconstructed or dusted off and put into play on the page; where it awaits the right person to read and receive. It is unique to the soul, to the character; it is not for only one, but for many kindred spirits or formed camraderies between readers and authors over decades and generations. Poetry is special in the sense that it is only what the reader wants, needs, or expects it to be. The meaning of the words are, in fact, left up for interpretation, but also, for empathy, awareness, association, or simply for rest.
I could not have put it better myself. Interpretation, though it has its place, is not the only thing that one can take from a poem. I have always believed poetry is an avenue to look at things differently. It is there to open your mind to new ideas. How someone connects with a poem differs because of many different reasons. I feel like judging a poem is just not what it is there for. There shouldn't be "good or bad" poem. If someone doesn't connect to a particular poem, it doesn't mean someone else won't. I feel like asking to "interpret" a poem is trapping because it immediately insinuates that there is a right or wrong answer. The purpose to poetry, in my opinion, is to open the mind of whoever is reading it. It shouldn't matter what they take away from it. They may be in a different position than you. It doesn't mean that what they take away from it is wrong.
Georgephilips
Posts: 150
Joined: 27 Sep 2020, 20:13
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 16
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-georgephilips.html
Latest Review: Finding Jehovah by Azrael Levi

Post by Georgephilips »

In my opinion, i think poetry is all about interpretation. Creativity is another thing too to conisider.
User avatar
Iconicsmt
Posts: 75
Joined: 03 Sep 2020, 03:40
Favorite Book: Wuthering Heights
Currently Reading: The Unborn
Bookshelf Size: 21
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-iconicsmt.html
Latest Review: Yesterday by Samyann

Post by Iconicsmt »

I absolutely believe that interpretation is the heart of poetry, at least for the reader. No one envisions any scenario, emotion, visual, virtually anything the exact same way, no matter how elaborately described. It’s a truly intimate experience.
Latest Review: Yesterday by Samyann
Eriny Youssef
Posts: 471
Joined: 11 Aug 2020, 07:35
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 97
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-eriny-youssef.html
Latest Review: Yesterday by Samyann

Post by Eriny Youssef »

I think when it comes to poetry, the judge of how good it is will always be if it made you feel something. And how much you felt that thing.

There are many many poets with different styles. Some of them don't even stick to the rules. And they write the most beautiful poems that people know by heart. And then there are others who study poetry all their lives, and yet their writings is rigid and boring.

In my opinion, if the poet truly believes what he/she is writing, and they deeply feel for it, they'll write the best poems.
Latest Review: Yesterday by Samyann
emidio125
Posts: 286
Joined: 20 May 2020, 08:15
Favorite Book: Tortured in Ashram
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 38
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-emidio125.html
Latest Review: The Fox by M. N. J. Butler

Post by emidio125 »

Poetry is a voice from inside our souls. Every word writen is derived from a spoken form that cried, shouted, smiled and complained in our hearts.
Chizioboli
Posts: 603
Joined: 28 Dec 2020, 03:11
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 37
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-chizioboli.html
Latest Review: Pastoring is Not What You Think by Elijah Oladimeji

Post by Chizioboli »

I think poetry is solely based on interpretation. A poem speaks to me if the words have meaning. No matter how creative, stylish or even perfect the words sound, if those poems do not mean anything or even describe something to ponder on, that poem is nothing but empty
User avatar
Amenrodion
Posts: 286
Joined: 05 Feb 2018, 10:24
Currently Reading: Fates Sweet Passion
Bookshelf Size: 55
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-amenrodion.html
Latest Review: A Dream For Peace by Dr. Ghoulem Berrah

Post by Amenrodion »

while there are elements that as it were can objectively be used to judge poetry as good or bad i.e. its use of poetic devices, ultimately i believe that poetry is open to interpretation and as long as it speaks to you the reader than it's a good poem at least to you
User avatar
Intel
Posts: 109
Joined: 09 Aug 2020, 09:57
Favorite Author: Sarah Dessen
Favorite Book: The Hobbit
Currently Reading: Fahrenheit 451
Bookshelf Size: 28
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-intel.html
Latest Review: Timewise by Robert Leet
fav_author_id: 3879

Post by Intel »

I think half of it is interpretation and the rest realization. Interpretation is always going to be what the reader has perceived while realization is what the author has truly meant. I guess it is the charm that comes with all written works, especially music, there may be many theories or ideals put on a piece, but once it is confirmed in truth by the Creator there's no arguing their points.
Malve
Posts: 106
Joined: 12 Dec 2020, 07:21
Currently Reading: Onyx
Bookshelf Size: 24
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-malve.html
Latest Review: Mysteries Of the First Instant by Daniel Friedmann

Post by Malve »

I think a big part about poetry is about interpretation. Think of it this way: Different people make different experiences in their own lives and grow up under completely different circumstances. Therefore, some people may feel an emotional connection to a poem while others simply don’t. However, this doesn’t define whether a poem is good or not. So, it's in the eye of the beholder. I like the idea that everyone can associate something completely different with a poem.
ElisaCr
Posts: 45
Joined: 23 Sep 2020, 23:10
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 26
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-elisacr.html
Latest Review: We are Voulhire: A New Arrival under Great Skies by Matthew Tysz

Post by ElisaCr »

Poems often resonate with me because of how I interpret them but others I love because of how they sound when read aloud. So I think it varies based on the poem and its style.
User avatar
review-specialist
Posts: 293
Joined: 13 Jun 2021, 12:28
Favorite Book: Fouling in Business and College Athletics
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 33
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-review-specialist.html
Latest Review: The Encyclopedia Of American Animated Television Shows by David Perlmutter

Post by review-specialist »

I think poetry is more about a freedom of expression, whether it be what's going on in reality or what's going on in the imaginative mind. These expressions then trigger different interpretations.
User avatar
T T 2
Posts: 450
Joined: 08 Jun 2021, 07:24
Currently Reading:
Bookshelf Size: 73
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-t-t-2.html
Latest Review: Three loves and other stories by Lata Gullapalli

Post by T T 2 »

For me, poetry is all about interpretation. It depends on how an individual perceives the writing or poetry.
Tori_J
In It Together VIP
Posts: 233
Joined: 14 Nov 2021, 19:46
Currently Reading: Defining Moments of a Free Man from a Black Stream
Bookshelf Size: 57
Reviewer Page: onlinebookclub.org/reviews/by-tori-j.html
Latest Review: Aprende ABC con los animales de Puerto Rico by Yeseira Caro

Post by Tori_J »

I find people's response to this post quite interesting. I am not a pro when it comes to poetry but I do think it is open to interpretation.
Post Reply

Return to “Poetry & Music”