Dana Gioia on Learning, Poetry, and Studying with Miss Bishop
Feb 15, 2021
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Dana Gioia, a prominent poet and author of "Studying with Miss Bishop," discusses the paradox of poetry's waning significance in modern culture while highlighting its transformative power. He shares insights on mentorship, the connection between literature and personal emotions, and the impact of aging on creativity. The conversation delves into the importance of aligning artistic endeavors with personal values, and reflects on poignant moments like Amanda Gorman's inaugural poem, revealing how poetry can serve as a beacon of resilience and meaning in our lives.
Poetry lost its mass audience in the US due to professionalization and disconnection from the general public.
Poetry enables us to articulate the complexities of human inner lives through concise and unique expressions.
Memorizing poetry enhances our connection to language, deepens learning, and awakens the potential of our humanity.
Deep dives
The Paradox of Poetry's Decline
Poetry has lost its mass audience in the United States despite the large number of poetry institutions and teachers. This decline is attributed to the professionalization of poetry, which disconnected it from the general public. As poets became part of the university system, they began to treat each other with professional courtesy and avoid giving negative reviews. The more benefits given to poets, the less poetry mattered to society.
The Power of Poetry in Conveying Inner Lives
Poetry allows us to understand the emotions and experiences of others, as well as ourselves, in a way that cannot be easily expressed through ordinary language. It provides a unique and concise way of articulating the complexities of human inner lives. Through literature, such as novels and poetry, we can explore and understand the multifaceted inner worlds of various characters, as well as our own, diving into the discrepancies between their outward actions and their inner thoughts and motivations.
Conveying Life Experiences and Emotions through Poetry
Certain life experiences, such as parenthood and marriage, are difficult to convey to others who haven't experienced them yet. Poetry becomes a form of communication that allows us to express and understand these emotions and experiences beyond words. It provides a warm communication, enabling us to learn and connect through the experiences shared in a poem. By encapsulating complex narratives and emotions in a condensed form, poetry offers us a vehicle to explore and appreciate the intricacies of human existence.
The Value of Memorizing Poetry
Memorizing poetry has long been a traditional part of education, as it enhances one's connection to the language and meaning of great poems. Through memorization, we internalize poetic structures, language, and meanings, allowing us to embody the beauty of the words and communicate them more effectively. Memorizing poetry also enhances our capacity for deep learning and transforms our understanding and appreciation of the poem's transformative power. It opens us up to a transformative partnership with language itself and awakens the potential of our humanity.
The Power of Poetry in Describing Deep Love and Relationships
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the difficulty of truly capturing the essence and depth of love and relationships through non-poetic means. The speaker emphasizes how a poem can provide a glimpse into the inner lives of married couples, revealing the true beauty and connection that is often concealed from the outside world. While describing the joy and amplification of experiences that come from a long-lasting, deep love, the speaker acknowledges the bittersweet nature of marriage, with mortality and loss being inevitable. Overall, the podcast highlights the significant role that poetry plays in encompassing and articulating the complexity and resonance of love and relationships.
The Challenges and Rewards of Pursuing a Passion for Writing
The podcast episode delves into the personal journey of the speaker, who made the unconventional transition from a graduate program in comparative literature to pursuing an MBA at Stanford's Graduate School of Business. The speaker explains that, as an artist and a poet, he felt the need to find his own way in the world and make a living while also nurturing his creative passions. By establishing a balance between his business career and his writing, the speaker was able to support his family while also devoting time to his artistic pursuits. Ultimately, he emphasizes the importance of following one's own artistic inclinations and values, even in the face of lucrative opportunities that may compromise creative integrity. The speaker emphasizes that the ability to say no and remain true to one's artistic vision is a luxury that can lead to greater fulfillment and the creation of meaningful, impactful work.
Poet and author Dana Gioia talks about his book Studying with Miss Bishop with EconTalk host Russ Roberts. They talk about the craft of being a poet, the business world, mentorship, loss, why poetry no longer seems to matter, and how it might begin to matter again.
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