Resisting Representation discussion

Time : Space :: Prose : Poem :: Map : Diagram

http://conceptualmathematics.wordpres...

Many geometric figures (such as rectangles) can be drawn using straight lines, but there are some (such as circles) which need something more than straight lines (non-linear curves). So is the case with expressing experiences; the linear narrative of prose is all one needs to express most experiences, but there are some experiences which call for the non-linearity of poetry. See also pp. 152 - 5 of Resisting Representation for an illuminating discussion of the contrast between prose and poetry (grounded in their etymologies).
Elaine Scarry