Part One
In Chapter 8, “Ci Vediamo,” I got from it that it’s
important to write about your past experiences and to sit on them for a bit. I
could tell that Hugo really cared about the experiences and that he needed to
find those areas in Italy so that he could get closure. I thought it was really
cool that he was even able to find the spot in the field in Italy again. “I saw
it just for a moment as we sped by in the car and I didn’t ask the driver to
stop,” (Hugo 86). It was interesting to me that he didn’t feel the need to stop
in the field. When I was reading it, I was expecting for him to sit back in
that field and write a poem right there. He honestly surprised me with his
decision to not say anything. It was enough for him to see that spot and it
seemed like he needed time to get his thoughts together before he could write.
I really like that you don’t have to think of something on the spot. You can
wait and let the words form on their own, you don’t have to force them.
In Chapter 9, “How Poets Make a Living,” I thought it was
really interesting that he said “To be a poet you must live with an intensity
five times, nay a hundred times more furiously than that of those about you,”
(Hugo 100). I thought that was important to a poet to be able to live more than
others, otherwise, the poet may not have much to write about. At the very
least, they will have more interesting stories to tell if they live life to the
fullest. Often times, when I think of the stereotypical poet, I think of
someone who is a recluse and never leaves their house. Hugo is saying to break
that thought and live life the opposite.
Part Two
I have learned that it’s really hard to criticize others
work. I never want to be the bad guy and say something mean. But I think it is
really helpful to the author to hear what others think would work better. I
also learned that it’s not as scary as it seems to have other people read what
I have written. Normally, I refuse to let other people read what I have written
because I have an irrational fear that they will make fun of me and tell me how
awful of a writer I am. Even though that has never happened, I think of the
worst case scenario. However, these workshops are helping me get over that
fear! It really isn’t that scary to have someone read your work, it’s actually
a really fun experience. I did like having people tell me the good and bad on
my poem. It helps me to see what I need to work on and what I have done that
works well. I will take those comments into consideration when I revise my
poem. I want my work to be something that people understand and enjoy, and I
think being able to hear feedback from other writers in the same boat is really
helpful.
Word Count: 541
On your thoughts of Chapter 8, I thought it was interesting that he didn't stop to look at the field again and see if it could feel that same feeling he did many years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut, I also felt that he was not happy with the poem he wrote about that moment in his life. I got this feeling about most of the poems he wrote about the war, actually. It was like he was longing to write something that perfectly capture what he felt at that moment and that would make his readers feel that way too but he just couldn't. It was something explainable that not even a poem could do justice.
On your chapter 9 thoughts, I feel like it definitely depends on the poet. Some great poets live there life outside in the world and some great poets inside. It all depends on what triggers your thoughts, nature for some, places for some, people for some, their own thoughts for some, all different kinds of things. Everyone gets their poetry inspiration in a different way.
On your thoughts of Chapter 8, I thought it was interesting that he didn't stop to look at the field again and see if it could feel that same feeling he did many years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut, I also felt that he was not happy with the poem he wrote about that moment in his life. I got this feeling about most of the poems he wrote about the war, actually. It was like he was longing to write something that perfectly capture what he felt at that moment and that would make his readers feel that way too but he just couldn't. It was something explainable that not even a poem could do justice.
On your chapter 9 thoughts, I feel like it definitely depends on the poet. Some great poets live there life outside in the world and some great poets inside. It all depends on what triggers your thoughts, nature for some, places for some, people for some, their own thoughts for some, all different kinds of things. Everyone gets their poetry inspiration in a different way.
I think Hugo was quoting someone when he was talking about intensity. I don't particularly agree with the notion that a poet must experience everything with vivid perception. The way that's stated makes me feel like I have to sprint out of the room and start experiencing things as fast and hard as I can. Come on. Who does that?
ReplyDeleteI thought that bit in chapter 9 was on the verge of crazy. "Living" has different meanings for each person, right? I could go out traveling South America on the back of a camel and call that "living," but you could simply have a nice char with an elderly woman in a coffee shop. Though I agree, a recluse might not have the most interesting experiences, but they might have some really deep thoughts. Everyone's different, y'know?
ReplyDelete