07-17-2023, 11:25 PM
I’m flattered that my pome caught your eye, TqB
I think the question raised by the post is interesting
The first novel in English is supposedly Pamela by Samuel Richardson, in the 17th century
The first novel in Europe was what…the Decameron? Don Quixote?
Outside of Europe, you have religious texts, drama, and technical treatises, not novels
But everyone has poetry.
Why?
Because in pre literate societies, poetry was the only way to pass down knowledge and traditions orally
But why was it easier to remember poetry than prose?
I think it’s because poetry stands at the intersection of language and music. Through prose you can make the blind see, but poetry can do all that and also make the deaf hear. Poetry lights up more parts of the brain than prose. That’s why we have an emotional response to it.
But lyrical prose also approaches poetry. Who can forget these lines having read them:
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.
I think the question raised by the post is interesting
The first novel in English is supposedly Pamela by Samuel Richardson, in the 17th century
The first novel in Europe was what…the Decameron? Don Quixote?
Outside of Europe, you have religious texts, drama, and technical treatises, not novels
But everyone has poetry.
Why?
Because in pre literate societies, poetry was the only way to pass down knowledge and traditions orally
But why was it easier to remember poetry than prose?
I think it’s because poetry stands at the intersection of language and music. Through prose you can make the blind see, but poetry can do all that and also make the deaf hear. Poetry lights up more parts of the brain than prose. That’s why we have an emotional response to it.
But lyrical prose also approaches poetry. Who can forget these lines having read them:
He saith among the trumpets, Ha, ha; and he smelleth the battle afar off, the thunder of the captains, and the shouting.