Question

Coleridge defines a poem as:

• A. A work of fiction
• B. A harmonious whole that provides pleasure
• C. A record of historical events
• D. A purely intellectual exercise

Answer 1

Answer:

B. A harmonious whole that provides pleasure

Samuel Taylor Coleridge defined a poem as a harmonious whole that provides pleasure through the use of imagination. He believed that a poem is a work of art that uses language to create a unified experience for the reader. 

• Imagination

  Coleridge believed that the poet's imagination is central to the creation of a poem. He thought that the poet's imagination brings the poet's soul into play, allowing them to create a unified experience that resonates with the reader. 

• Harmony

  Coleridge believed that a poem is a harmonious whole, with each part contributing to the overall harmony. He thought that the poem's elements, such as sound, meter, and communication, should work together to create a harmonious whole. 

• Pleasure

  Coleridge believed that a poem should provide pleasure for the reader. He thought that the poem should excite the reader's mind through the journey of reading, rather than just curiosity about the final outcome. 

• Length

  Coleridge believed that long poems cannot be considered poetry because the harmony and reconciliation created by the imagination cannot be sustained over an extended composition.