'In Due Form' by Laura Riding


AI and Tech Aggregator
Download Mp3s Free
Tears of the Kingdom Roleplay
Best Free University Courses Online
TOTK Roleplay

I do not doubt you.
I know you love me.
It is a fact of your indoor face,
A true fancy of your muscularity.
Your step is confident.
Your look is thorough.
Your stay-beside-me is a pillow
To roll over on
And sleep as on my own upon.But make me a statement
In due form on endless foolscap
Witnessed before a notary
And sent by post, registered,
To be signed for on receipt
And opened under oath to believe;
An antique paper missing from my strong-box,
A bond to clutch when hail tortures the chimney
And lightning circles redder round the city,
And your brisk step and thorough look
Are gallant but uncircumstantial,
And not mentionable in a doom-book.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Poetry, In Due Form: A Masterpiece by Laura Riding

Poetry is a form of art that has been around for centuries, and it has evolved over the years. It has been said that there are no rules to poetry, but Laura Riding begs to differ. In her book, Poetry, In Due Form, she presents her theory of poetry and how it should be written.

The book is a masterpiece for many reasons, and in this literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve into the intricacies of the book and explore the theories presented by Laura Riding.

The Theory of Poetry by Laura Riding

Laura Riding's theory of poetry is unique in that she believes that poetry should follow certain rules. In her view, poetry should be written in a direct and concise manner, and it should be free of unnecessary embellishments. She believes that the poet should refrain from using figurative language, such as metaphors and similes, and instead, focus on using concrete and specific words.

Her theory of poetry is based on the idea that language is a tool that should be used to convey meaning, rather than to create art. She believes that the poet should focus on the message they want to convey and use language in a way that is clear and concise.

The Structure of Poetry, In Due Form

The book is divided into six sections, each of which focuses on a specific aspect of poetry. The sections are as follows:

  1. The Nature of Poetry
  2. Sense and Sound
  3. The Poetic Image
  4. The Poetic Line
  5. The Poetic Stanza
  6. The Poetic Form

Each section builds upon the previous one, and together, they provide a comprehensive understanding of Laura Riding's theory of poetry.

Section One: The Nature of Poetry

In this section, Laura Riding explores the nature of poetry and what it means to be a poet. She believes that poetry is a form of communication and that the poet's job is to convey a message to the reader. She also believes that poetry should be accessible to everyone and that it should not be reserved for an elite group of intellectuals.

What I find interesting about this section is that it challenges the traditional view of poetry as an art form that is exclusive and esoteric. Laura Riding's theory of poetry is democratic and inclusive, and it opens up the world of poetry to a wider audience.

Section Two: Sense and Sound

This section focuses on the relationship between sense and sound in poetry. Laura Riding believes that poetry should be written in a way that is both pleasing to the ear and meaningful to the mind. She emphasizes the importance of using concrete and specific words and avoiding abstract language.

What I find compelling about this section is the way Laura Riding emphasizes the importance of sound in poetry. She believes that the sound of the words should be just as important as their meaning and that poetry should be read out loud to fully appreciate its beauty.

Section Three: The Poetic Image

In this section, Laura Riding explores the use of imagery in poetry. She believes that the poet should use concrete and specific images to convey their message, rather than relying on abstract concepts. She also emphasizes the importance of using images that are familiar to the reader.

What I find interesting about this section is the way Laura Riding challenges the traditional view of imagery in poetry. She believes that the use of abstract and obscure imagery only serves to distance the reader from the poet's message, and that the use of concrete and specific imagery is more effective in conveying meaning.

Section Four: The Poetic Line

This section focuses on the structure of the poetic line. Laura Riding believes that the line should be structured in a way that is both pleasing to the ear and meaningful to the mind. She emphasizes the importance of using enjambment and caesura to create a natural flow in the poem.

What I find compelling about this section is the way Laura Riding emphasizes the importance of the structure of the poetic line. She believes that the structure of the line is just as important as the content of the poem, and that it should be carefully crafted to create a natural flow.

Section Five: The Poetic Stanza

In this section, Laura Riding explores the structure of the poetic stanza. She believes that the stanza should be structured in a way that is both pleasing to the ear and meaningful to the mind. She emphasizes the importance of using rhyme and meter to create a sense of unity in the poem.

What I find interesting about this section is the way Laura Riding challenges the traditional view of the poetic stanza. She believes that the use of rhyme and meter should not be arbitrary, but rather, should be used to create a sense of unity in the poem.

Section Six: The Poetic Form

This section focuses on the various poetic forms, such as sonnets, villanelles, and sestinas. Laura Riding believes that these forms should be used to create a sense of unity in the poem and that the poet should not be constrained by them.

What I find compelling about this section is the way Laura Riding emphasizes the importance of poetic form. She believes that form should not be a constraint, but rather, should be used to create a sense of unity in the poem.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Poetry, In Due Form is a masterpiece of literary theory. Laura Riding's theory of poetry challenges the traditional view of poetry as an esoteric art form reserved for an elite group of intellectuals. Her democratic and inclusive view of poetry opens up the world of poetry to a wider audience.

What I find most compelling about Laura Riding's theory of poetry is the way she emphasizes the importance of language as a tool to convey meaning. Her belief that the poet should focus on the message they want to convey and use language in a way that is clear and concise is a refreshing perspective on poetry.

Overall, Poetry, In Due Form is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry or literary theory. It provides a comprehensive understanding of Laura Riding's theory of poetry and challenges the traditional view of poetry in a way that is both refreshing and compelling.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Poetry In Due Form: A Masterpiece of Modernist Poetry

Laura Riding's Poetry In Due Form is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that challenges traditional notions of form, language, and meaning. Published in 1938, the collection of poems is a radical departure from the conventional poetry of the time, and it remains a landmark in the history of modernist literature. In this analysis, we will explore the themes, techniques, and innovations that make Poetry In Due Form a groundbreaking work of poetry.

The first thing that strikes the reader about Poetry In Due Form is its unconventional use of language. Riding's poems are characterized by a spare, minimalist style that eschews the ornate language and imagery of traditional poetry. Instead, she uses simple, direct language to convey complex ideas and emotions. This approach is evident in the opening lines of the first poem in the collection, "The Poet":

"The poet is a man who feigns And feigns so thoroughly, at last He manages to feign as pain The pain he really feels."

These lines are deceptively simple, yet they convey a profound truth about the nature of poetry and the poet's role in society. By using plain language and straightforward syntax, Riding creates a sense of clarity and immediacy that draws the reader into the poem.

Another hallmark of Poetry In Due Form is its use of form. Riding's poems are characterized by their strict adherence to form, whether it be the sonnet, the villanelle, or the sestina. However, she does not use form in a traditional sense. Instead, she subverts and reinvents traditional forms to suit her own purposes. For example, in "The Poet," Riding uses the sonnet form to explore the tension between the poet's public persona and his private self. The poem consists of two quatrains and two tercets, but instead of following the traditional rhyme scheme of abab cdcd efef gg, Riding uses a more complex pattern of internal rhymes and slant rhymes. This creates a sense of tension and instability that mirrors the poem's theme.

In addition to its innovative use of language and form, Poetry In Due Form is also notable for its thematic concerns. Riding's poems explore a wide range of topics, from love and death to politics and society. However, they are all united by a common thread: a concern with the nature of reality and the limitations of language. In "The Poet," for example, Riding explores the tension between language and experience, arguing that the poet's job is to bridge the gap between the two:

"The poet is a man who feigns And feigns so thoroughly, at last He manages to feign as pain The pain he really feels."

Here, Riding suggests that language is a kind of mask that the poet wears in order to express the truth of his experience. However, this mask is never perfect, and there is always a gap between what the poet feels and what he is able to express. This theme is echoed throughout the collection, as Riding grapples with the limitations of language and the difficulty of expressing the ineffable.

Finally, it is worth noting that Poetry In Due Form is a deeply political work. Riding was a committed socialist and feminist, and her poems reflect her political beliefs. In "The Poet," for example, she critiques the idea of the "great man" and argues that true greatness lies in the ability to empathize with others:

"The poet is a man who feigns And feigns so thoroughly, at last He manages to feign as pain The pain he really feels."

Here, Riding suggests that the true measure of a person's greatness is not their individual achievements, but their ability to understand and empathize with the suffering of others. This theme is echoed throughout the collection, as Riding explores issues of class, gender, and power.

In conclusion, Poetry In Due Form is a masterpiece of modernist poetry that challenges traditional notions of form, language, and meaning. Through its spare, minimalist language, its innovative use of form, and its thematic concerns with the nature of reality and the limitations of language, Riding creates a work of poetry that is both intellectually challenging and emotionally resonant. Moreover, by infusing her poems with a deep political consciousness, she reminds us that poetry is not just a matter of aesthetics, but also a means of engaging with the world around us.

Editor Recommended Sites

Learn Snowflake: Learn the snowflake data warehouse for AWS and GCP, course by an Ex-Google engineer
Realtime Streaming: Real time streaming customer data and reasoning for identity resolution. Beam and kafak streaming pipeline tutorials
Explainability: AI and ML explanability. Large language model LLMs explanability and handling
Flutter consulting - DFW flutter development & Southlake / Westlake Flutter Engineering: Flutter development agency for dallas Fort worth
NFT Cards: Crypt digital collectible cards

Recommended Similar Analysis

The Last Leaf by Oliver Wendell Holmes analysis
Freedoms Plow by Langston Hughes analysis
The Impercipient by Thomas Hardy analysis
When Malindy Sings by Paul Laurence Dunbar analysis
The Rhodora by Ralph Waldo Emerson analysis
Night . To Lucasta by Richard Lovelace analysis
Down By The Salley Gardens by William Butler Yeats analysis
I died for beauty but was scarce by Emily Dickinson analysis
Dreamers by Siegfried Sassoon analysis
Paradise Lost by John Milton analysis