
by
I. The General Situation
II. The Poetic Experience
III. What is Valuable
IV. The Command of Life
V. The Neutralization of Nature
VI. Poetry and Beliefs
VII. Some Contemporary Poets
Footnotes
Transcriber’s Note
In this thought‑provoking study the writer confronts a restless age, pointing out how swiftly our habits of life and thought have been reshaped by scientific breakthroughs while many outdated ideas linger untouched. By tracing examples from Galileo to modern medicine, the author shows that even fields traditionally seen as timeless—like poetry—may be clinging to antiquated assumptions that no longer serve a complex, rapidly changing world. The opening sections invite listeners to question the comfort of inherited doctrines and to consider whether the very way we think about art has become a hidden obstacle to progress.
The following chapters move from the nature of the poetic experience to the values that give verse its power, exploring how belief systems intertwine with language and how contemporary poets respond to these shifting currents. Throughout, the prose balances rigorous analysis with an evident love of verse, urging readers to re‑examine the role of poetry in shaping a more reflective, adaptable humanity.
Language
en
Duration
~1 hours (85K characters)
Release date
2026-03-27
Rights
Public domain in the USA.

1893–1979
A pioneering literary critic and teacher, he helped change the way modern readers approach poetry by emphasizing close, attentive reading. His ideas about language, meaning, and interpretation shaped literary study far beyond his own time.
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