The Ralston College Podcast

Jay Parini on Why Poetry Matters

31 snips
Oct 28, 2024
Join Jay Parini, a D.E. Axinn Professor of English, as he shares his insights on why poetry matters deeply in our lives. Explore his fascinating friendships with literary giants like Borges and Auden, and discover how encounters with these figures enriched his understanding of literature. Parini also delves into the transformative power of memorizing poetry, emphasizing its role in fostering human connections. With reflections on Robert Frost's enduring themes, the conversation highlights the profound ways that literature can guide personal growth and contemplation.
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ANECDOTE

Borges and Me Film and Scotland

  • Jay Parini reflects on his life and career, sparked by his involvement in a film adaptation of his memoir, Borges and Me.
  • He recounts his time in Scotland, his chance encounter with Jorge Luis Borges, and their humorous and insightful adventures in the Highlands.
ANECDOTE

Mentorship and Discernment

  • Parini discusses the impact of mentors like Isaiah Berlin, emphasizing the importance of reading, thinking, and discernment.
  • Berlin's advice to "keep reading and thinking and discerning" shaped Parini's dedication to a life of the mind and literature.
INSIGHT

Literature's Adequacy to Experience

  • Literature provides language adequate to human experience, unlike the "garbage" on TV and radio.
  • Engaging with great works offers nuanced expressions of the human condition and fosters sanity amidst contemporary chaos.
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