Waldrop Thesis 2 - Chris

There are several components to Waldrop’s thesis two in her essay “Alarums and Excursions.” In this thesis not only does she defend her view on poetry, she speaks on behalf of all poems ever written. Therefore, I believe it is important to first examine her boldest statement, that “poetry has social relevance” (215).

Now, as we explore the idea of “social relevance”, the crux of the entire thesis, we must first define these terms. “Social”, in my opinion, simply means of or relating to society. This holds true in Waldrop’s assertion because as she states “everything we do has some social effect simply because we are members of a society” (215). So when a poet submits a form of poetry (“relevant” or not), they have committed a social act. Where her statement becomes bold is the assertion that poetry is and will always be relevant. Relevant, I believe, means that contextually the event or art in question has meaning.

In this way, upon first examination, Waldrop’s assertion that poetry has social relevance does not hold true when we defined the terms. A poem that has been written by a “moody” poet sadness one day may have no social relevance after the fact. Moreover, one could interpret a poem completely different than the intended meaning. My point is this: who is to say what is relevant? Since there can be no defined meaning (especially in the arts) then there is no way to determine what is relevant and what is not. Yet, Waldrop’s thesis has an answer for this.

Her second part of the thesis states that poetry’s relevance to society is not just reflective (as in a poem is sad or happy) but “It can make the culture aware of itself” (215). Again, we may define terms. “It” in this part of the thesis is referring to poetry in general. “Culture”, the other important term, can be defined as a belief system or in this case, how emotions are perceived. Almost as difficult to define meaning in a poem or another work of art, is to define what an emotion is or feels like. Going back to my first example of the “moody” poet, one cannot define “sad”, and yet when this word is spoken unanimously people can relate. So this poet who was feeling “sad” and expressed this through their poem has now created something which will forever hold this “social relevance” we have been seeking. In the “culture” that the hypothetical poem was written, they now have something to base “sad” off of.

This hypothetical poem I have been speaking about to aid my exploration and definitions of thesis two can now have clear “social relevance”. “Social”, because the poet is a member of society, “relevant” because it has meaning, it unveils “sad”, “culture” is explored because the “hidden structure” of sadness is perceived. Waldrop is asserting in thesis two that all poetry can create social awareness and therefore contain “social relevance” (215).

Work Cited

Waldrop, Rosmarie. “Alarums and Excrursions”. 1990.