Poetry and the Art of Introspection
...elp the author discover their self, but also to convey beliefs or ideas to others on paper that the author is apprehensive about articulating in person. In “Resume 1965”, one can assume that Anne Sexton is more easily able to explain herself to others through writing than anything else when she says: “I can only speak from my room, my typewriter…” Through the typing of her poems, Anne was able to speak honestly from her soul with no holds barred. Perhaps this is because art is a more acceptable form of human confession. A person is not as adamantly judged by the public if they channel their confessions through a work of art, rather than admitting them verbally. Art conveys a talent for creativity, which is often the focal point of a work, more so than the confessions the work holds within it. Therefore, one does not have to worry about being judged much by sharing themselves through their art, for their art is what the public is often concentrating on, not their confessions. Poetry is most often brought about by inspiration. Inspiration is most often brought about by a strong emotional reaction to something. In deciding to write a poem, an author has already been forced to think about that poem’s subject and analyze his response to it. This is the basis for his inspiration. In doing this, the author has learned about his personal views on certain subjects and how he reacts to them, which is a reflection of who he is. For example, in the composing of a poem about death, the author must first confront his views on death; how it makes him feel, what morals he has concerning it, previous experiences with death, etcetera. Often, this certain view or emotion involved with death is what inspired the poet to begin his poem in the first place. This understanding of a personal viewpoint then allows the poet to illustrate his view to his audience. Most likely, thoughts like these do not spring out of thin air; they are inspired by a strong emotion or a reaction to an event. In this way, inspiration (which I believe is the basis for all works of art) has forced a person to look deeply into their self and understand their emotions, views, reactions, etc. I have observed that good art, especially good poetry, is created by those who have a tendency to be very emotional, or who allow their emotions to govern their lives. Because they are naturally in touch with their emotions, they are more able to understand and explain them in their writing. Reflecting on my personal experience, I have noticed that the times I have written the most and the best of my poetry have been times when I was deeply depressed, angry, frustrated, contemplative, antisocial, or even happy. When I feel an emotion the strongest is when I am most able to illustrate it in words. In order to make any good art, one must drag the art out from within, which takes a good deal of introspection, contemplation, concentration, and sometimes isolation. In deeply emotional states of mind, a person usually distances themselves from other people in order to recover from their anger, sadness, etcetera. In doing this, the person is more able to concentrate on whatever it is they chose to do. When I am depressed, angry or contemplative, I often want nothing to do with other people. I retreat into my mind and my emotions, I feel things more intensely, and am too absorbed in myself to bother with others. Artists most likely do the same, because when expressing a current emotion o...