Interpretation 101

"It is, as we would say, too farfetched." Laurence Perrine

"The Nature of Proof in the Interpretation of Poetry" presents difficult concepts for me to wrap my head around.  For one, Perrine's opening argument states that no author should reveal his interpretation of a poem for it "limits its suggestibility."  I understand this part of the article - this is the same with every type of art, for art should speak for itself.  In fact, one of the most hated question during an art show or critic is "what does this mean?" Imagination and creativity should speak for the observer.  However, later in the article, Perrine clearly argues that only ONE interpretation can be correct.  If this is true, wouldn't the reader need to rely on the author's interpretation?  I think an author would be much less reluctant to explain his or her work if this was the case.  But instead, the author allows room for interpretation to leave room for the reader or observer to grow.  I disagree with the author - no opinion is too farfetched.  Without these odd and wacky interpretations, how would a reader be allowed to grow? 

This article really revealed how non-observant I really am.  First of all, I need to connect details.  In Melville's poem, I never really thought about the idea of a constellation in the night.  Sometimes, it is necessary to look past the literal meaning of the words (such as "legions" and "chief") and find the bigger picture.  Poems are like puzzles - tiny pieces fit together to make a whole.  Also, instead of reading a poem like a novel, I should observe it as if it is art.  In my personal opinion, a painting is much more exciting to study then a bunch of words put together on a page.  However, poems are more like a painting than a novel.  All the minute details and descriptive language come together to form one image.  For example, Emily Dickinson uses words that would normally relate to a garden to describe a sunset.  Again, literal meaning is not always the correct answer (if there even is a correct answer in the art of interpretation...)