What is the movie saying about poetry? Support your comments.
According to Mr. Keating, we read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. Poetry is used to share and express beauty, romance, love; human passion. Because poetry is based on one's personal expression of emotion, Mr. Keating encourages his students to view poetry in their own way, even if their perspective seems silly or wrong. He told them to not just consider the poem through the author's point of view, but to strive to find their individual voices. This is a far cry from the poetry textbook's preface "Understanding Poetry", explaining how poetry should be judged mathematically through its importance and perfection. This is a contrast, between individuality and conformity. Mr. Keating's lesson on non-conformity used walking as a physical demonstration. He urged his students to discern their own beliefs and opinions, no matter how unorthodox they may seem. Mr. Keating taught the poetry should not be rote analysis, but rather, personal expression.
What do you think about poetry? How is it similar and different than the movie's view of poetry?
Poetry is an artistic medium for conveying thought. It can be a story, it can be satirical, or maybe just to express the poet's feelings. One can argue that all ideas expressed in poetry stem from the writer's emotions. I generally agree with the movie's view of poetry, in saying that it is a personal, emotional expression. However, I am somewhat hesitant about maintaining complete non-conformity, as there may be a fine line between having one's own unorthodox opinions and being insane. This is considering the fact that insanity may be displayed in violating societal norms. I believe that conformity is necessary to some degree in order to function properly in society. One is still free to hold and share their own beliefs, but severely digressing from social norms may cause one to be (mis)construed as insane. Poetry is an expression of oneself; poets are free to think and write whatever they please.
For the most part I found your vocabulary much varied enhanced the meaning of your response. What I found interesting about your second answer is that you inserted your own opinion about "maintaining complete non-conformity", it really adds to your presentation and gives me a glimpse at what your opinion is as well. However I think you could have further backed up your answer by elaborating more on your examples. This is because you touched on the walking example Mr.Keating did, but readers would otherwise not understand what it was and be confused. Despite that you had a great answer to these abstract questions Ms.Lees has released to us. Wonderful job Matthew!
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