A Method to the Madness

(Perrine, "The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry)

"Words in poetry thus have richer meanings than in prose- they may exhibit purposeful ambiguities- but the meanings are still confined to a certain area."

The goal of Perrine is not to judge other interpretations of poetry or to deny multiple meanings of a poem, rather his goal is to put a cap boundless interpretation. Through his discussion of poems by Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman, and Herman Melville, he offers what he believes are the most correct explanation of these poems. I agree with Perrine that poems must have a cap of interpretation; however, I do not like the way he claimed his interpretation was the most correct. For example, he deeply discusses the connection of stars to the poem "The Night March" by Herman Melville and clearly states that any other interpretation is nonsense. Personally, I the whole star thing just didn't click. I went though and circled all the words like he had his students do, and read each point twice, but lets just say the stars were not in line. I saw other room for interpretation, but soon felt foolish for think so. Perrine says he is open to other interpretation, however his explanation of the poem clearly shuts the door to all other interpretation.

Aside from denying all other interpretation, I like Perrine's style. I would agree that a poem is "any pattern of words -defines an area of meaning, no more" meaning that there must be a limit of interpretation and symbols. He understands that poems will produce multiple feelings and images, and even addresses the fact that "no poet likes to be caught in the predicament of having to explain his own poems..without admitting failure or without saying something different (and usually much less) then what his poem said.". I think Perrine understands poetry fairly well, and he teaches the importance of making sure that connections make sense throughout an entire work. His students and readers will hopefully learn to investigate all details in all poems and make sure to write poems that can support a full clear image. He offers an method to the seemingly impossible task of understanding a poem, a tool needed by students of literature everywhere.