Poetry in the Mind: The Cognition of Contemporary Poetic Style

Poetry in the Mind is the first book-length cognitive analysis of 21st-century poetic texts, shedding new light on poetic creativity and language through innovative cognitive research and the linguistic creativity of renowned poets.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 30 November 2021
Publisher: Edinburgh University Press

Poetry in the Mind is a groundbreaking cognitive analysis that delves into the intricate world of 21st-century poetic texts and their profound conceptual impacts. By adopting an innovative cognitive approach, the book offers a fresh perspective on fundamental poetic notions and stylistic features, challenging established notions about poetic creativity and language. This comprehensive work serves as a captivating showcase for cutting-edge cognitive research, as well as the linguistic prowess of renowned poets like Simon Armitage, Jo Bell, John Burnside, Sinead Morrissey, Alice Oswald, and Kate Tempest.

The book explores the cognitive mechanisms underlying poetic expression, unraveling the ways in which poets manipulate language and create meaning. It examines the role of imagination, memory, and perception in shaping poetic imagery and explores the cognitive processes that underlie the construction of poetic structures and themes. Through a rigorous analysis of a diverse range of poetic texts, Poetry in the Mind demonstrates how poets leverage their cognitive abilities to create works that are both intellectually stimulating and emotionally resonant.

One of the key strengths of the book is its ability to bridge the gap between cognitive science and literary criticism. By employing cognitive frameworks and analytical techniques, the author provides a rigorous scientific basis for understanding the poetic process. At the same time, the book also pays close attention to the artistic and aesthetic dimensions of poetry, highlighting the ways in which poets use language to evoke emotions, create vivid imagery, and convey complex ideas.

The book's chapters are organized in a way that allows readers to navigate through the cognitive complexities of poetic expression. Each chapter focuses on a specific aspect of poetic cognition, such as metaphor, imagery, or rhythm, and provides a comprehensive analysis of the relevant literary examples. The author's clear and concise writing style makes the text accessible to a wide range of readers, including both scholars and enthusiasts of poetry.

In addition to its academic value, Poetry in the Mind offers a rich source of inspiration for poets and writers alike. The book showcases the incredible linguistic creativity of its featured poets, providing valuable insights into their writing processes and techniques. It encourages readers to explore new avenues of poetic expression and to push the boundaries of language and meaning.

Overall, Poetry in the Mind is a groundbreaking work that revolutionizes our understanding of poetic cognition and its role in shaping the human experience. By offering a fresh perspective on established ideas about poetic creativity and language, the book opens up new avenues for research and exploration in the fields of cognitive science and literary criticism. It is a must-read for anyone interested in the power of poetry to inspire, challenge, and transform our understanding of the world.

Weight: 286g
Dimension: 154 x 232 x 14 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781474492461