There was no specific prompt for this final paper, giving us students the freedom to create a
topic on something that we have a passion for and enjoy discussing. I
found mine: intended effects vs. actual effects of love poetry on
society and the modern mind. The topic actually arose in writing my personal literary narrative
where I discussed my love and infatuation with Francesco Petrarch. In
this situation, I chose my primary literary text first: Petrarch's
Sonnet 3 and then thought about it enough to the point where there were
enough points that I enjoyed thinking about. I took those points and
joined them together to create a topic/argument. After taking my thoughts to the social media realm, I let it stew more and finally came up with this as my thesis:
Standardized
western beliefs of love, both unrealistic and realistic, are deeply
rooted in both classical society and ours today. What should be
considered when reading all sub-genres of love poetry, is that the work
is almost never eternally true. Love fluctuates, and our society should
not be trained to accept romantic literature, movies, music, or romantic
art in general as love’s definition because they are inaccurate
depictions.
I knew that this thesis had enough fuel behind it where I would feel
comfortable discussing it without feeling too repetitive or not having
enough to say. Even after the paper is completed and turned in, I have continued to discuss the topic with friends. I have new points and ideas about the topic. That's how I knew it was right for me: if I could always find something new to say about it. Overall, I am really happy with the way it turned out and the direction that my argument turned. If you're bored and want a quick read, here's the link to my final draft.
As of now, my thesis is mainly focused on the topic of genre and I will be using texts to support my argument of how love poetry can be detrimental and preach false ideas to the adolescent mind. So, with love poetry as my genre, I am choosing to focus on the poems that are written in the context of being in love and falling in love. I will lightly mention some of the heartbreak type poetry, which is definitely under the umbrella of love poetry, but some would consider it to be its own sub-genre, especially since the tone is most often opposite of the aforementioned types.
Since love poetry is such a large genre, I am going to try and hone in on the poems of the sub-genre I am titling, "Head-Over-Heals In Love" poems. Very whimsical, airy, sometimes light feeling, other times VERY heavy.
Fortunately, everyone can relate to this genre in one way or another, whether they hate it or love it. Love is the most fundamental characteristics of humanity. It is not a genre that is restricted to one time period or one philosophical movement. It is universal and can be found in in literature from all different places and times.
Discussing the genre evidently benefits my argument because it is a part of my argument!
Seen this week on the Discussions of Facebook: Caitlyn posts and hosts a discussion of love poetry and its influence on the young mind. Does it fail or succeed?
I say SUCCESS. I actually received some really great feedback and had some very interesting discussions with a few FB friends. It got pretty real towards the end.
My topic of love poetry and its effects on love is pretty universal because everyone has an opinion of love. I had to informalize my thesis to appeal to the internet world and it worked well enough. Here is what I posted:
I think that I could have made it less academic feeling, but I'm satisfied with the responses I got. The more specific questions led the discussion in the right direction and after someone would comment, I would respond with more questions to keep it fueled. I was able to see certain faults of my thesis. For example, the use of the phrase "sophisticated mind" vs. "more mature/experienced." The first definitely came off too snobby and someone else's comment helped me realize that. The entire post ended up with 1268 words in 15 comments.
As an extension of an earlier post and its comments, I have decided to elaborate on love poetry's intentions, using Petrarch's sonnets as a main source.
It's a heavy topic for me and at this point, I'm not sure I agree 100% with my claim, but it's controversial and interesting enough to make it worth while. Let's see if I can spark some argumentative discussions.
Haven't we all been messed with, at least a little, by The Notebook?
1. Policy Claim - Despite love poetry's universal acceptance and adoration, the adolescent mind should take caution when reading the genre in search for greater knowledge of love for there are forms of trickery, whether intentional or unintentional by the author. A more mature mind can more easily absorb love poetry without falling susceptible and developing unrealistic beliefs of its peril, or lack thereof. hidden behind the words that appeal to the young audience and if accepted, conjure unrealistic beliefs about love.
2. Definition Claim - It can be deceiving by how often times love poetry is not about the love itself, but
the exploration of the feelings of love, which is destructive to the unripened and easily influenced mind. People are raised to believe in a love that is more oft than not represented by the unstable and fast changing emotions that it brings than the love itself.
3. Comparison Claim - Though both the "love high" and heartbreak are represented in love poetry, the adolescent mind tends to retain and ponder the wonderfully overwhelming emotions of being in love over the horribly miserable emotions of hearbreak. Caution should be paid when diving into the powerful genre.
4. Evaluation Claim - While Petrarch's sonnets are almost entirely about his eternal love Laura, he is more concerned with his own feelings of love and not Laura herself. Standardized western beliefs of love, both unrealistic and realistic, are deeply rooted in both Petrarch's society and ours today. The classical thought of love being a curse surely influenced Petrarch, although Christian, but it takes the more ripened mind to identify the ideal while consulting love poetry.
5. Cause/Effect Claim - Although the airy and whimsical tones to love poetry make for beautiful and unparallelled works, there is always a danger present of getting caught up in the benevolent aspects of love, and ignoring the malicious.
Feel free to let me know your thoughts on the topic.
