Audience Quote by Rae Armantrout
“As for the differences between audio and the printed page, the sonic aspects of poetry are important to me. I read my poems aloud to myself as I'm composing them. And I enjoy reading to an audience. I think people get tone more easily when they hear a writer read her work. Some people have told me they hear more humor in my poems at a live reading than when they see them on the page. I think that may be a matter of pacing. On the other hand, I've listened to a lot of poetry readings and I know how much you can miss. If you stop to really register one line, you miss the next three or so.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Poetry reading discussion, Rae Armantrout, 2020
Poetry’s sound influences tone, humor, and pacing; live readings reveal nuances that printed text may hide, but can also cause listeners to miss lines.
In simple terms: Hearing poetry changes its effect, but can be missed.
Key Takeaway
Consider both reading aloud and silent reading.
Themes
poetry
performance
communication
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
observational
educational
When to use this quote
- live readings
- writing workshops
- classroom analysis
- audio recordings
Key Concepts
tone
humor
pacing
audience perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How does hearing a poem alter your interpretation?
- What strategies help retain all lines during a reading?
A Different Perspective
Live reading may overwhelm listeners, causing them to miss parts of the poem.
