John Ashbery: 'There is the view that poetry should improve your life. I think people confuse it with the Salvation Army.'

There is the view that poetry should improve your life. I think people confuse it with the Salvation Army.

In the realm of poetry, there has long been a debate about its purpose and significance. John Ashbery's quote, "There is the view that poetry should improve your life. I think people confuse it with the Salvation Army," sparks intriguing contemplation on the role of poetry in our lives and challenges commonly held perceptions. At first glance, the quote appears to suggest a disconnect between poetry and tangible life improvement, but when viewed from a deeper philosophical perspective, it opens doors to a fascinating exploration of the nature of art, personal growth, and the human experience.In a straightforward interpretation, Ashbery implies that the notion of poetry improving one's life can be misguided, expressing skepticism towards the idea. He playfully likens this perspective to confusing poetry with the Salvation Army, a charitable organization renowned for its mission to offer tangible assistance to those in need. Ashbery's intention here seems to be to question whether the purpose of poetry should solely lie in practical life improvement. Rather than viewing poetry as a vehicle for immediate change or tangible benefits, he suggests a more nuanced approach to its role and impact.However, to fully grasp the essence of Ashbery's statement, we must dig deeper and consider an unexpected philosophical concept - aesthetic contemplation. The quote highlights an underlying dichotomy between two contrasting perspectives: one emphasizing poetry's potential for tangible improvement, and the other suggesting its primary function as a means of engaging with life's complexities on an aesthetic and intellectual level.The first perspective often aligns with the belief that art should serve a utilitarian purpose, bringing about concrete changes or resolving specific issues. This viewpoint assumes that poetry, like the Salvation Army, should deliver immediate and practical benefits to individuals and society. However, Ashbery's comparison offers a clever critique of this perspective by subtly suggesting that confounding poetry with a charitable organization diminishes the artistic depth and transformative power inherent in the poetic form.Contrarily, the second perspective postulates that poetry operates on a different plane altogether, transcending the limitations of practicality and immediacy. By associating art and poetry with the notion of aesthetic contemplation, Ashbery invites us to consider the complex relationship between poetry and personal growth. Poetry, in this light, becomes a vehicle for exploring the complexities of human emotions, delving into the mysteries of existence, and offering a lens through which we can process the world around us.This philosophical dichotomy raises thought-provoking questions about the very nature of art and its impact on our lives. While poetry may not overtly aim to improve our lives in a practical way, it can certainly enrich them by providing alternate perspectives, fostering empathy, encouraging introspection, and challenging our preconceived notions. As a source of artistic expression, poetry offers a profound and transformative experience that extends beyond the quantifiable realm of tangible improvement.In the end, Ashbery's quote serves as an invitation to contemplate and appreciate the multifaceted nature of poetry. It challenges the notion that art should be measured solely by its immediate impact, compelling us to consider the enduring and intangible effects it can have on our hearts and minds. By promoting aesthetic contemplation over instrumental utility, Ashbery offers us a profound philosophical lens through which to view the purpose and significance of poetry in our lives. In doing so, he invites us to step beyond the realm of pragmatism and embrace the transformative power of art.