
audiobook
by Paul Souriau
This thoughtful study treats poetry as a purely mental experience, inviting listeners to examine the subtle sensations that arise when we contemplate verses or nature’s beauty. The author argues that the fleeting “dream‑like” state of poetic feeling can either be a passive haze or a lively surge of ideas, and he sets out to distinguish between the two by recounting the inner dialogues of both modest and great poets. By looking closely at the moment‑by‑moment hesitations, revisions, and even the erased lines of a manuscript, he shows how the creative process itself can be as fascinating as the finished poem.
Drawing on personal observation, literary examples, and early psychological research, the work maps out the intellectual and aesthetic elements that give poetry its power. It proposes a method of careful self‑reflection, encouraging listeners to relive their own poetic encounters while learning how poets navigate inspiration and reflection. The result is an engaging exploration of how poetry lives inside the mind before it ever reaches the page.
Language
fr
Duration
~4 hours (284K characters)
Publisher of text edition
Project Gutenberg
Release date
2008-09-28
Rights
Public domain in the USA.
Subjects
1852–1926
Best known for writing about invention and aesthetics, this French philosopher explored how creativity, beauty, and perception shape everyday life. His work moves between abstract ideas and practical questions, which still makes it easy to approach today.
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