Poe also said:          (click here to read original article)

“It by no means follows, however, that the incitements of Passion’ or the precepts of Duty, or even the lessons of Truth, may not be introduced into a poem, and with advantage; for they may sub-serve incidentally, in various ways, the general purposes of the work: but the true artist will always contrive to tone them down in proper subjection to that Beauty which is the atmosphere and the real essence of the poem.” 

Poe admitted that, sometimes, poems could include elements of instruction about morality or perhaps lead the reader toward the principles people should live by. However, he felt these elements had to be secondary in the poem to its elements of beauty, which should be the real essence of the poem. He believed that the emotional experience of a poem was the most important thing.

Do you agree? – A good poem can teach lessons about values and principles to live by – as long as these lessons are secondary, or less important, than the emotional experience of the poem. Give an example of a poem you have read (or written) that may have taught a lesson, but was mainly an emotional piece. Explain why you think the poem is a “good poem.”

Do you disagree? – A good poem can teach lessons about values and principles to live by, or it can give an emotional experience to the reader – one or the other. A good poem does not have to do both. Give an example of a poem you have read (or written) that had the single purpose of teaching a lesson. Explain why you think the poem is a “good poem.”

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