a question on poetic scholarship
by Illuminara
Posted to Utterances on 2003-03-11 10:11:00
When I initially became interested in poetry a few years ago, a friend of mind (who had been a literature major at Wheaton) suggested that I not seek to take courses in poetry for she felt that it might somehow hinder the free (and uneducated) style and perspective that I held towards my own writing. In other words, it would “cramp” my style and she thought it better to not be spoiled by the opinions (indoctrinations) of the “experts”.
I do desire to learn how to be more discriminating when I read and write poetry, and imagine that some education may assist me.
What are some of your feelings about this? What are the pros and cons to a scholarly approach towards studying poetry, in your opinion?