Elizabeth Drew (1)

2404 Poetry: A Modern Guide to Its Understanding and Enjoyment, by Elizabeth Drew (read 25 Aug 1991) This book was first published in 1959. I started out enjoying it very much, but it palled. It discusses many poems, but the poem which moved me most was Emily Bronte's "Cold in the Earth"--an old favorite of mine. I did not realize that it was written as part of the Gondal romance the Brontes played--all that emotion is not personal to Emily, but is part of their game! But it is still a show more fantastic poem--the author of this book says it has been called "one of the greatest personal lyrics in the language," and I agree. This book has an appendix on "Meters and Verse Patterns" which is condensed but valuable. show less

The aim of this Book is to make the reading of poetry an exploration which constantly reveals new insights to the reader about himself as well as about the poets and their work. Because Elizabeth Drew believes that poetry is written to be read and enjoyed, she quotes many poems, old and new, familiar and unfamiliar. Her first chapters speak of the poetic language, symbolism, and rhythms. The rest of the book is devoted to a collection and discussion of poems on the great human themes love, show more religion, humanity that recur in every age and are given their most intense and memorable expression in poetry. Analyzes and discusses the craftsmanship of the poet and the elements of poetry. With the use of many examples the author reveals the poet's interpretation of human existence. show less

I have the sixth printing, first published in 1959. Part I "The Poetic Process" -- Poet, Reader, Sound Patterns, Imagery, Words, the Design. Part II - Poetry and the Human Condition -- Time, Death, Frustration and Loneliness, Satire, Nature, Love, Humanism, and Religion. Concludes with a chapter "Poets on Poetry". This book has an appendix on "Meters and Verse Patterns", and a List of the cited Poets indexed.