Poetry

With this most recent set of readings, we're finally seeing more examples of the poetic function of language through cross-cultural examples. Abu-Lughod indicates that poetry is the acceptable means of expression emotion (especially love); to talk about emotions or feelings in any other way would be unacceptable. For example, she tells the story of a woman who would not discuss any feelings about her divorce. However, she started reciting a poem that was obviously about her sadness at losing her husband. Abu-Lughod emphasizes that in this example, the woman "expressed the sentiments of love in poetry - but she denied those sentiments in her ordinary conversation" (31).

In another example, Urban highlights the poetic function of ritual wailing in South America. This type of wailing is a way to express emotion, but it is poetic in that it is not the same as expressing emotion in ordinary conversation. Interestingly, Urban states that "It is intended not to be heard, in the ordinary linguistic sense, but rather to be overheard" (160). This is in a sense allowing people to catch a glimpse of emotions that should not be expressed in any other way.

It's interesting to think about these two examples in comparison with our own cultural situation. In the US, we have unspoken guidelines about where and when and how it is appropriate (or not) to express certain emotions or other aspects of our personal selves. However, we have the freedom to follow or ignore these guidelines as we choose (ie, "The Decline and Fall of the Private Self").