"... the theory-of-no-theory ... is the most rigid and confining of theories, as well as the most prevalent. In every generation the theory-of-no-theory shouts loudest in the third-rate - for whom, always, 'the way to make poems is known'."
- Donald Hall, from 'Theory x Theory' in Poetry & Ambition
Friday, August 07, 2009
theory-of-no-theory
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Donald Hall rocks my socks off.
ReplyDeleteDoes it has something to do with nihilism?
ReplyDeleteor is it just anti-scientific stuff?
Hi Hannah! :)
ReplyDeleteI don't necessarily agree with everything Donald Hall says as a critic... but he does say some sensible things (this quote being one example).
Hi Mariana,
ReplyDeleteHall is talking about poets' theories of poetry. He's specifically referring to those poets who have no theory, or feel they don't need a theory in order to write what they write.
Now I get it, thanks for the explanation stu
ReplyDelete