Why are subjects like Poetry taught in school?

This debate has being going on forever that why are subjects like poetry taught in school which do not actually have any applications in life further on. Students often lament if they are ever going to use this, since it adds to their burden. It’s very rare to find a student who remembers it all, after having given his final exams, adding to the pointlessness of teaching such subjects.

In my view, teaching literature and poetry have become of all the more important in today’s time, where technology has totally altered our way of life- and not for good here. If you can’t read, you can listen to pre-recorded books. Can’t do basic math? Just whip out the trusty calculator. Technology has made us question the relevance of everything and anything. But then, does it help in the long run? No, such tools are making are minds dull by each passing day.

Subjects like literature and poetry are the aesthetic factors in today’s modern curriculum that inculcates habit of reading rather than listening. When students read poem, they are motivated to read more, since they are a break from the regular mundane studies. The fact, that students do not like poetry is primarily because of the fact that they are tested for it during their exams.

Apparently, learning poetry helps students in their writing skills as well as helps them improve their vocabulary. It is an essential method of developing students’ understanding of various writing tools like metaphors, personification, oxymoron, puns and similes. This helps them to recognize how and where to use these techniques in their own writing because they have a reference point of where it is used correctly. Overall, poetry aids in incrementing a students’ knowledge of the English language.

Another argument, in favor of teaching poetry in schools is that – Poetry is a form literature that banks upon sounds; rhythms and meaning of the words to describe the world in striking and imaginative ways. It helps students express themselves in a better way in addition to building community and emotional literacy, and fosters emotional suppleness in students. It can teach students to deeply express themselves and others and it is a must to encourage students to express themselves because if they can’t they don’t have a voice.

Poems are probably the first thing a baby learns and hence it is poetry that is responsible for opening avenues for speaking and listening. Poetry builds resilience in kids and adults.

For me, poetry is a jumbled mess of yarn stretched out all over the floor. It’s as if the poet has bared his soul bared open for all to see and in spite of the mess, you can see what the poet wishes to say amongst all the chaos and appreciate the beauty of expression. Apparently, poetry allows your mind to process emotions in a manner, you can never imagine.

See poetry as an art and not a subject and soon you’ll too be appreciating its beauty.

_{Featured Image: angelaspoems.com}