Question

Who loves Poetry? I'm taking an American Poetry class and I need help explaining what makes a poet "truly" American. Poetry is not my strong suit.

Answer 1

I love poetry but not sure the answer to the "truly" American? What book are they using for the class?

Answer 2

Well, I am not a big poetry person, but I did love British Literature, which deals with poetry such as Beowulf, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, Wife of Bath by Chaucer, Dream of the Rood and the list continues.

Answer 3

I would start by listing what attributes you feel are American, then ask yourself if the poets fulfill those requirements. For instance, America is often seen as a country that draws strength from its diversity. Likewise, many critics see Walt Whitman as a distinctly American poet because (among other reasons) he writes about all sectors of society as contributing to a stronger culture.