Reading a passage from A Defence of Poetry, by Anna Strickland [AS]
Poetry is indeed something divine. It is at once the centre and circumference of knowledge; it is that which comprehends all science, and that to which all science must be referred. It is at the same time the root and blossom of all other systems of thought; it is that from which all spring, and that which adorns all; and that which, if blighted, denies the fruit and the seed, and withholds from the barren world the nourishment and the succession of the scions of the tree of life. para. 40
Overview/Summary:
In this passage, poetry is presented as being a force greater than just writing– it is introduced as being the highest power with the ability to transcend all that can be learned, and is so influential that even an individual with the most knowledge reflects back on it . Shelley is proclaiming that poetry is the genesis of all that can be learned– thus, he is attributing poetry as an all-knowing entity.
Poetry is hinted at being a "tree of life" in this passage. Being that poetry is given such a passionate view in the text, it conveys to the reader that it is so powerful that when a reader glances at poetry, it returns the reader back to the tree–making it seem as if this tree of poetry is not verbiage, but are fundamental associations to human life. Not only is poetry in Shelley's perspective synonymous with the tree of life, but it is also given credit for being the reason that one can be a successful "scion" in life. Poetry, if it is as fundamental as Shelley states, then would be the artist that shapes the way in which one thinks and perceives the world.
Poetry's Connection with Legislating:
In a strikingly similar way that poetry has the ability to be the fundamental tree of life/ framework of human thought and perception, legislation sets up rules and regulations to be the root of society from which laws, regulations, and ideas are presented and passed– which has a direct effect on how individuals in the world view, think, and act. After taking into consideration both of these elements, it is clear that, at least from Shelley's point of view, that writers of poetry are in a way their own "legislator". One who writes poetry has the authority to influence the way an individual views their own life.
Legislating and Metaphors We Live By:
Shelley's idea in, A Defence of Poetry relates to George Lakoff and Mark Johnson's Metaphors We Live By. Lakoff and Johnson claim in their work that metaphors have the amazing might to shape human understanding and thought. Metaphors can often be found in poetry, and they are extremely powerful when it comes to affecting readers both emotionally and physically. With this in mind, then, there is more support for the idea that "legislating" is related to poetry itself. "Legislating" itself is the creation and passing of laws to impact and build society, and it is strongly connected to the power of "legislating" poetry; poets have the amazing ability to impact and form the world around them, as well as help "legislate" their readers' worlds.
Final Remarks:
The work, A Defence of Poetry by Percy Shelley is a profound piece that encourages readers to explore the possible correlation between legislation and creating strong poetry. Alongside Shelley's work, Metaphors We Live By by Lakoff and Johnson supports the idea that poetry is a "tree of life" from which individuals' worldviews are shaped and influenced. These works together, in turn, lead a reader to reflect on how one's life is constructed, how the legislation of poetry is a driving force, and the amazing relationship between an artist sculpting poetry and sculpting life itself.