Wallace Steven’s ‘from Adagia’ was very amazing to read. His approach towards poetry is very unique and maybe too a certain extent, even disturbing. He exemplifies the importance of poetry by comparing it to religion on several occasions.
“But poetry is like prayer in that it is most effective in solitude and in the times of solitude as, for example, in the earliest morning”
He seems to suggest in this quotation that poetry can be recited in the same manner as some people recite prayers. Early on in the morning, when the busy activities of the day haven’t caught up with life yet, and life is still quiet and peaceful, seems to be the best time to remember God. He compares that feeling of serenity analogously to the feeling experienced when reciting poetry.
He also states that ‘it is the belief and not the god that counts’ which clearly shows that his belief may not be in a God but is rather in a higher power. His feelings seem to be more spiritual rather than religious. He believe that the mind is the most powerful thing in the world whereas it seems to me that God is the most powerful thing in the world and your mind is what can take you there.
He compares the poet to God as readers of religious texts and poetry share the same intention of deciphering the meaning of life and discovering the truth. This comparison seems to me a little bit extreme as poetry may just be a hobby or just a past time for some. Religion of course has a different and more meaningful purpose.
Tuesday, June 5, 2007
Woody Allen vs Billy Gram
Watching the interview between Woody Allen and Billy Gram there were several things that appeared to be quite interesting and very humorous. Both Woody Allen and Billy Gram have very different schools of thought and therefore approached the issue of religion, faith and god with vastly unique understandings.
Woody Allen was coming at it from a comedian’s viewpoint whereas Billy Gram was expressing his opinions from his very strong Christian beliefs. Therefore I find it difficult to compare and contrast the two as their beliefs are worlds apart. Woody Allen doesn’t even believe in God whereas Billy Gram was quoting the Bible literally in every sentence. Also this interview doesn’t reflect the true beliefs of Woody Allen because in the show he was paid to make people laugh and therefore he was just doing his job.
Woody Allen seemed to be looking at the short term consequences for everything whereas Billy Gram was talking about the bigger picture. There seemed to be an absence of a frame for Woody Allen. He judged everything as they would benefit him best in a particular situation. From what I understood from the interview, Woody Allen was trying to argue an attempt of living life without religious guidance. His words seemed to be alluding to the idea of living a life without religious guidance but at the same time not to lose ones identity.
Woody Allen was coming at it from a comedian’s viewpoint whereas Billy Gram was expressing his opinions from his very strong Christian beliefs. Therefore I find it difficult to compare and contrast the two as their beliefs are worlds apart. Woody Allen doesn’t even believe in God whereas Billy Gram was quoting the Bible literally in every sentence. Also this interview doesn’t reflect the true beliefs of Woody Allen because in the show he was paid to make people laugh and therefore he was just doing his job.
Woody Allen seemed to be looking at the short term consequences for everything whereas Billy Gram was talking about the bigger picture. There seemed to be an absence of a frame for Woody Allen. He judged everything as they would benefit him best in a particular situation. From what I understood from the interview, Woody Allen was trying to argue an attempt of living life without religious guidance. His words seemed to be alluding to the idea of living a life without religious guidance but at the same time not to lose ones identity.
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