Book Synopsis
A Twentieth Century Essay by Don Steele.
Excerpt:
The symbolists believed like ancient magicians that words possessed a power to control nature. Each natural force had a secret word to which it was enslaved, and the possessor of the word could control that force, like ‘abracadabra’. Theoretically, one could by mere words control the planets and stars. Poetry was viewed at the apex of words. The poet was the seer, the high priest, capable with his musical chants of bringing down the mountains. Whether any poet, priest or magician has ever accomplished anything resembling such a structure of words to perform miraculous feats is for us here moot. What is indisputable, however, is that words do have a powerful effect on human emotions and in history. Words can produce sublimity, laughtger, cheers, smiles and love. Or, words can produce pain, fear, hatred, melancholy and death. Words can transcend time and picture life thousands of years ago. Words can transform space and picture life on the other side of earth from where one stands.