Prayer & Poetry: A Contribution to Poetical Theory

by Henri Brémond, Algar Thorold (Translator)

English, French (translation)

200 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1971

About the author

French literary scholar and theological modernist.

Reviews

[Mary Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Definitely need loads more knowledge of French, the French Academy, the Jesuits, French mysticism, Latin, and Greek than I've got to truly appreciate this volume! I admit to skimming this one, as most of it went over my head anyway. Nevertheless, I stuck with it because I was curious about his argument, which as far as I can make out is this: mystic knowledge illuminates poetic knowledge (but poetic knowledge is lesser than mystic knowledge of God), and poetic knowledge stems from the anima (which is sort of but not really one's emotions/deeper or inner self, which is more or less hidden to you). He discusses Aristotle's catharsis as union with God, and that being the source of poetry's power, but notes a sort of paradox wherein poetry is an encounter requiring expression, whereas mystic encounters with God...don't...?

That's basically what I got. Anyone else out there interested in adding to/refining my understanding?