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- Title
THE POEM'S DEFIANCE OF SOCIOLOGY.
- Authors
Ward, J. P.
- Abstract
It is pointed out that the new `sociology of literature' makes virtually no reference to poetry and is unable to cope with it. I argue that the reason for this is that in some sense poetry is incompatible with the idea of sociology. The language of poetry is almost definable as that which cannot be used in ordinary discourse or in the affirmation of social organizations. Examples are given to support this view. The implication is then drawn that `academic sociology' by overlooking this feature of poetic language stays unaware of the limitations of its own language; on the other hand Marxism, although clearly more sympathetic to poetic uses of language, is over-cager to then explain that use in Marxist terms. But even Marxist criticism pays little attention to poetry, thus supporting the general view of this paper. The parallels with the view expressed in terms of the views of social phenomenology. and its view of language, are also drawn out.
- Subjects
LITERATURE &; society; POETRY (Literary form); SOCIAL structure; MARXIAN school of sociology; SOCIAL interaction; SOCIAL psychology
- Publication
Sociology, 1979, Vol 13, Issue 1, p89
- ISSN
0038-0385
- Publication type
Article
- DOI
10.1177/003803857901300106