9780300151466

Why Poetry Matters

Format: Paperback

ISBN13: 9780300151466

Paperback|9780300151466


Overview

A brief, passionate book about the nature of poetry and its use in the world



Poetry doesn't matter to most people, observes Jay Parini at the opening of this book. But, undeterred, he commences a deeply felt meditation on poetry, its language and meaning, and its power to open minds and transform lives. By the end of the book, Parini has recovered a truth often obscured by our clamorous culture: without poetry, we live only partially, not fully conscious of the possibilities that life affords. Poetry indeed matters.

A gifted poet and acclaimed teacher, Parini begins by looking at defenses of poetry written over the centuries. He ponders Aristotle, Horace, and Longinus, and moves on through Sidney, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Eliot, Frost, Stevens, and others. Parini examines the importance of poetic voice and the mysteries of metaphor. He argues that a poet's originality depends on a deep understanding of the traditions of political poetry, nature poetry, and religious poetry.

Writing with a casual grace, Parini avoids jargon and makes his case in concise, direct terms: the mind of the poet supplies a light to the minds of others, kindling their imaginations, helping them to live their lives. The author's love of poetry suffuses this insightful book--a volume for all readers interested in a fresh introduction to the art that lies at the center of Western civilization.


ISBN-13

9780300151466

ISBN-10

0300151462

Weight

0.45 Pounds

Dimensions

5.25 x 0.56 x 7.75 In

List Price

$16.00

Edition

1st Edition

Format

Paperback

Language

English

Pages

224 pages

Publisher

Yale University Press

Published On

2009-03-31



View All Offers

Sort by:

Rows per page:

1–5 of 5

Condition
Seller
Seller Comments
Price
Used, Good
Seller details
Midtown Scholar Bookstore
★★★★★

Harrisburg, PA, USA

Good-Bumped and creased book with tears to the extremities, but not affecting the text block, may ha...
$7.03

 Free delivery by: 04 Apr 2026

Used, Good
Seller details
Websters Bookstore Cafe
★★★★☆

State College, PA, USA

Contains marginalia and/or underlining. Sticker on back/spine. Mild general wear. Binding sound.
$8.68

 Free delivery by: 04 Apr 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
Ezekial Books, LLC
★★★★★

Manchester, NH, USA

No Highlighting or underlining. Some Wear but overall very good condition. 100% Satisfaction Guarant...
$9.28

 Free delivery by: 04 Apr 2026

Used, Very Good
Seller details
FirstClassBooks
★★★★★

Little Rock, AR, USA

$17.08

 Free delivery by: 04 Apr 2026


Bookstores.com relies on cookies to improve your experience.