The Problem of the Variative Functioning of Poetic Language

Despite the existence of a huge literature on the theory of linguistic and literary styles, several basic terms in this area have still not been given proper definition, and many problems still await their resolution in the future. Therefore, in the present essay we must leave undefined such terms as "poetry," "painting," and "image" and consciously put ourselves in the position of thinking uncritically. All such terms are defined in a great many other works, in particular in the works of the author of the present discussion. Waiting for all these terms to be given final definition would mean cutting ourselves off from fruitful poetic, linguistic, and stylistic analysis. We would like to focus attention on only one problem, the functioning of visual imagery in poetry, and discuss this question rather critically—without, however, addressing ourselves to a scientific and critical analysis of the basic terms referred to above.