The Influence Of Poetry On Society

Society influences poetry because poetry is based on real events, the mindset of the writer can be swayed by society, and poetry can be used as a beacon to spread the word about a point in society. Society influences poetry and this essay will enforce these reasons. The first reason that will be reinforced is the idea that poetry is based on real events, or is based on events/ideas that are in reality.

An example of this is from a passage in The Obstacle by Perkins Gilman. Perkins Gilman’s passage is about an obstacle (hence the name) blocking her path. This ̈obstacle ̈ is the embodiment of Prejudice. Prejudice is capitalized in the passage to show it is a person, place, or thing. Basically a noun. This shows it is a being of itself, hence an actual obstacle that is in her way. Knowing that this “obstacle” is based on a way of thinking the first thing that comes to mind is that prejudice is a type of thinking. This entire poem is based on an idea or way of thinking that was and still is a mindset that society stapled onto the minds of many. This enforces the idea that poetry is based on real events, or is based on events/ideas that are in reality. Poetry is structured and based on the writer’s perspective, usually enforcing or protecting their terminology, ideas, or way of thinking about a certain topic.

Another point is that poetry is swayed by the mindset of the writer, which is drilled in by their upbringing or society.The Obstacle enforces this idea. If her upbringing didn’t have so much prejudice, which the poem is based around, it would be safe to say that this item of poetry would not exist if this type of thinking (prejudice) this essay would not have been made, hence society impacting or swaying the writer’s poetry or writing about the overall subject.

The story The Obstacle is about a woman trying to cross a path when prejudice blocks it, she tries to reason with it but it doesn’t listen. The definition of prejudice is a preconceived opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. This “character” that is Prejudice follows these traits when the woman tries to reason with it. In the end, she walks through it. Defining Prejudice is not an obstacle, but more of a hassle. This enforces the ideas and ideology that she feels about a subject in society. This is a point where society has affected or even given a concept of the passage. The overall idea of her poem or passage was looking at something that is supposed to shut off her path and walk through it, pushing the ideas that she has about the subject ( Prejudice) throughout her writing or poetry. Her perspective is shown through her writing and you are seeing through the lens of her design, hence enforcing her point of view.

In conclusion, this essay has enforced the idea that society influences poetry because poetry is based on real events, the mindset of the writer can be swayed by society, and poetry can be used as a beacon to spread the word about a point in society. A society that influences poetry completely depends on the writer.