Defence of Poetry

At the end of chapter II, Douglass says that the “wild

songs” of slaves express and relieve their unhappiness. In A

Defence of Poetry , Shelley proclaims that “Poetry is the record of

the best and happiest moments of the happiest and best minds.”

To what degree is their disagreement resolved if we view “wild

songs” and poetry as fundamentally different means of

expression? Could one argue that the two forms are similar and

that the contradiction suggested in this juxtaposition is more

apparent than real? Drawing on the reading you have done this

semester, define poetry and song and explain the emotions that

seem to produce them. 2. What kind of poem is The Love Song of

J. Alfred Prufrock ? Is it a monologue? A dramatic monologue? An

inner monologue? What difference does such identification make?

1. Poems are usually written to have a flow to them that maybe could be written by a composer into a song. This allows one to show feeling without actually having to tell it. However, I do not agree with Shelley because although poems sometimes have happier emotions, but not all poems are about happy moments. Some poems have dark depressing emotions that only one who has felt pain or despair would understand. This is clear to anyone who reads or writes poetry. 

2. The love song of J. Alfred Prufrock is a dramatic monologue. I believe this because it follows all the characteristics that defines a dramatic monologue. A dramatic monologue consist of; someone other than the poet who's speech is the entire poem, that person must interact with others, and the poet shows us that persons character without descriptions.