The poet

Year Published: 1960

Description: Mr. Hartzell interviews three American poets to find out why they are writing poetry in a mechanical age. Is being a poet a real job? Or is a poet essentially a non-productive member of society? Should everyone be able to write poetry? Mr. Ciardi and Mr. Rexroth discuss the reasons for the fact that much of today’s poetry seems incomprehensible. Mr. Eberhart describes the poet’s function, and what motivates his choice of subjects. Slums, wars, despair, are as valid subjects for poetry as are spring, love and joy, since the poet’s function, among other things, is to be a commentator on all phases of life, the three poets decide.

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