Question

what do you think Rita Dove means when she calls poetry "the most distilled" intense language possible?

Answer 1

I think what Rita Dove means by "distilled language" is that the words in poetry must be chosen very carefully, because poets are given very little space to explain very big things--feelings, emotional responses, reactions, or depicting a detailed scene or object. "Rosa" examplifies a "tiny but intense moment" because the act of refusing to give up a seat seems so trivial. She said so much in that act while verbally saying very little. Poetry must do the same thing--poetry often seems small, but it explains so much. The fact that we still talk about Rosa Parks today proves that her act was anything but trivial.

thats what my teacher sent back after i sent my answer

Answer 2

thx!!

Answer 3

your welcome! :)