Poetry: Interpretations and Influence on the World

The opening chapter of Poetry: Interpretations and Influence on the World tries to explain the correlation between history and poetry, as well as and the elements that currently aid in the recognizance of the presence of the poetic in the work of historians. Following this, the authors discuss six poems from the poetry collection Charred Tree (1945) and three poems from the collection Shadowland (1966), both published by Estonian writer Bernard Kangro (1910-1994) while in exile. These autobiographical poems are interpreted as a testimony, not only to the author's personal experiences in World War II, but also to those of other Estonian refugees. This compilation also compares the nonsensical narrative of Lewis Carroll to the poetry of Hebrew poet Dalia Hertz, as both writers seek to establish a unique and differentiated poetic logic. Dalia Hertz's first book, Margot (published in 1961) follows a logic that diverges from common sense. As such, the authors argue that a key aspect of her poetry is the logic of mirroring antinomy; one of the central themes of Through the Looking Glass. The authors go on to assess that although significant state affairs weighed heavily on Sultan Suleyman's mind as he had to deal with conflicts with other states, lead armies in battles and attend to power struggles in the court, he still found time to compose thousands of poems. The concluding chapter postulates that through the use of poetry and figurative language in children's biographical picture books, readers can enter the world of women scientists who forged the path of scientific discovery and innovation. Reading and listening to biographical accounts of people who have advanced science, influenced our worldview, and changed our understanding of how we engage in our everyday lives can inspire children and lead them toward a more in-depth understanding of scientific inquiry.