“For thousands of years, poetry was taught badly, and consequently it was immensely popular”

—  Dana Gioia

24
Essays, Can Poetry Matter? (1991), Poetry as Enchantment (2015)

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Dana Gioia photo
Dana Gioia 80
American writer 1950

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Dana Gioia photo

“Until quite recently poetry was taught badly—at least according to current academic standards. Poetry was used to teach grammar, elocution, and rhetoric. It was employed to convey history, both secular and sacred, often to instill patriotic sentiment and religious morality. Poetry was chanted in chorus at female academies. It was copied to teach cursive handwriting and calligraphy. It was memorized by wayward schoolboys as punishment. It was recited by children at public events and family gatherings. Being able to write verse was considered a social grace in both domestic and public life. Going to school meant becoming well versed.”

Dana Gioia (1950) American writer

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