Do we really need poetry?

The average English person considers that poetry is “nice” for children, becoming for (к лицу) girls, and appropriate (подходящая) for women teachers. Few people read poetry and fewer still pay for it.

The reason for disliking poetry is that the most people believe poetry should deal only with certain “nice” themes and topics such as birds, flowers, trees and love.

But the fact is that life in all its forms can be the theme of poetry. The so-called ugly and ordinary things are as remarkable (замечательный) in their way as the beautiful. Modern poets have discovered this and given as many fine poems on unpoetical subjects.

Do we really need poetry or any of the arts? They may be desirable of even excellent, but are they of any practical use?

We must admit that when we wish to express some tender (нежный) emotion we turn to poetry. We may not normally like the poetry; we may know very little about it, but we recognize that it is the only way to express the best that is within us.

b) Discuss the following. Express your own opinion on the subject. Speak about your ideas on poetry in modern life. Here are some phrases to help you.

That’s right… Exactly… I couldn’t agree with you more… Just the reverse… I suppose it’s too much to say that… Quite the contrary… I doubt that…

1. Poetry is “nice” for children.

2. Poetry is suitable for girls.

3. Poetry is appropriate for women teachers.

4. Few people read poetry.

5. Few people buy collections of poems.

6. Poetry should deal only with certain “nice” themes and topics such as birds, flowers, trees and love.

7. Life in all its forms can be the theme of poetry.

8. Ugly and ordinary things are as remarkable in their way as the beautiful ones.

9. Arts and music do not matter very much in our (everyday) life.

10. We always turn to poetry to express our feelings.

11. Poetry is the only way to express the best that is within us.

12. In the twentieth century people do not need poetry and arts as much as they did in the last century.

13. Nobody is interested in poetry nowadays.

14. Poetry is the most popular kind of literature with young people.

Task 7. Read and discuss the following.

J.B. Priestley, a well-known British author, explaining why he reads detective stories said:” When you come

to the end of a crime novel, at least something in this huge chaotic world has been settled.”

Reading detective stories in bed

I find this delightful (восхитительный) at home, and even more delightful when I am away from home. But why detective stories? Why not some good literature? Because, with a few happy exceptions, good literature, which excites the mind, will not do (не подойдет). In my view we should read it away from the bedroom. But why not some dull stuff – memoirs, works about travel? Here I can speak only for myself. If my bedtime book is too dull then I begin to think about my own work and then sleep does not come for hours. No, the detective story is the thing. Because what we want or at least what I want late at night – is a tale that is in its own way a picture of life but yet has an entertaining puzzle (загадка) element in it. And detective story offers me just this.

(From “Priestley’s Companion”)

1. Do you enjoy reading detective stories?

2. When do you read them – on holiday, on your way to and from the University or in bed?

3. Can you often guess “who’s done it”?

4. Why do you read them?

5. Do you read them to kill time?

6. Give your arguments for and against reading detective stories.

7. Do you agree with Priestley that the bedroom is not the place for good literature?

8. Do you know any books of this kind?

Task 8. Answer the following questions, paying special attention to the italicized words and phrases. Then summarize the answers.