Mental Imagery and Poetry

Abstract Poetry evokes mental imagery in its readers. But how is mental imagery precisely related to poetry? This article provides a systematic treatment. It clarifies two roles of mental imagery in relation to poetry—as an effect generated by poetry and as an efficient means for understanding and a...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inThe Journal of aesthetics and art criticism Vol. 81; no. 1; pp. 24 - 34
Main Author Liu, Michelle
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published UK Oxford University Press 18.05.2023
Subjects
Cognition & reasoning
Imagination
Poetry
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Summary:Abstract Poetry evokes mental imagery in its readers. But how is mental imagery precisely related to poetry? This article provides a systematic treatment. It clarifies two roles of mental imagery in relation to poetry—as an effect generated by poetry and as an efficient means for understanding and appreciating poetry. The article also relates mental imagery to the discussion on the ‘heresy of paraphrase’. It argues against the orthodox view that the imagistic effects of poetry cannot be captured by prosaic paraphrase, but points to features of poetry that can shape aspects of mental imagery that are liable to be lost in paraphrase.
ISSN:0021-8529
1540-6245
DOI:10.1093/jaac/kpac052