Yay Poetry!!!

So I am the “lucky” one who is blogging on Margaret Avison……

After the close readings that we have done on Margaret Avison’s poetry from “Always Now” I have come to the conclusion that I hate poetry but for some odd reason, I have a great appreciation for it. The most appealing things about Avison’s poems are her use of carefully selected diction and her ability to turn something simple into something more puzzling.

The majority of Avison’s poems (if not all of them) are based on a very simple idea. Avison’s poem, “CNR London to Toronto” is based on a train trip (not a difficult concept). But after reading it out loud, I was amazed at the thought that must have gone into creating it. To have a poem about a train that sounds like a train while reading it is sensational. There is no other way to describe it. Each word that is in that poem was hand picked by Avison. Her awareness of this effect is how she demonstrates her talent. Another simple idea is displayed in Avison’s poem, “Hid Life” which starts with the thought of an apple hanging from a tree during the winter; this is a very simple concept. Avison uses this visual and creates a poem based on something that most people don’t even notice. Essentially she takes things that are unnoticed, and makes them seem more important. The poem “Cement Worker on a Hot Day” is the same concept but instead of an apple the poem focuses on a worker who takes a drink from a fire hydrant. There is nothing exceptionally special about these two ideas, but Avison sees otherwise and from that she gets her inspiration and creates poems.

Although poetry is not my favorite type of literature, after reading Avison and noting her particular attention to detail, I most certainly admire her ability to take ordinary situations or things, and bring more depth to them.

The Innocent Traveller - Ethel Wilson

During class discussions Ive noticed that some of the students are finding Ethel Wilson’s novel The Innocent Traveller tedious and difficult to enjoy due to its lack of character and plot development. True, the lengthy descriptions in the book can seem tiring and overwhelming at times. Nevertheless, small details, though seemingly insignificant, give the readers insight into Ethel Wilson’s view of human nature.

Rereading the chapter, The Journey, has leaded me to the following: we are what our memories are. For instance, Annie’s encounter with an actor, Mr. Otis, in which she feels that he is “so kind and…so truly good” directs her into allowing Rose to the Opera house many years later. This, in more than one way, shows us that people take the memories of their past and carry them into the future by makes decisions upon it. What a refreshing idea is it to think that our past, present and future are tied together by our memory and our interpretation of it alone. And all this wouldnt be seen if it wasnt for the enormous amount of details included in the book. .

On a lighter note, I think that the characters in the book would not have been as interesting to me if it wasnt for the abundance of details. Take the three ladies’ journey to Vancouver for example; one can’t help but notice the different responses in the three Edgeworth women upon their arrival and be charmed by it. The courageous Grandmother Annie, leaves behind her beloved family, shows us her incredible readiness to adapt and “learn new ways.” Topaz, spirited as always, takes her enthusiasm and talkativeness to another level with the passengers she meets on the voyage. Nothing seems to be able to discourage her from being herself (chatting with the gentlemen in the smoking room) and she suggests that they must, in her opinion, “be less conventional.” Lastly, Rachel, too often preoccupied with the family affairs, found herself in the open countries of Canada and feels, almost immediately, “Canadian.”

Therefore, I think The Innocent Traveller isnt a book that can be confined to the standard plot, conflict, climax, and conclusion practices, you must read it as it is and enjoy it, yes, as a collection of details.