I was recently led to reread Robert Frost’s poem, “The Road Not Taken”. It was a pleasant journey into my educational preparation. There is a reason it is one of the most popular poems in America, if not the English speaking world.
Then I noticed a site with the title “The Most Misread Poem in America”. Obviously the author felt like everyone else misunderstood what Frost was saying. I went to the sight and began to read. I did not read very long before I realized that this was an essay paid for by the word so I started to skim. Many down pages later I finally got to where I began to find out how everyone misread about the road.
At that point I stopped reading. You may choose to go on but I am used to scholars sharing their own opinions as if it was the final word. I do a bit of Bible study and at times I make the mistake of reading commentary instead of the Bible itself. One of the things I have come to learn is that most of the great insights in such books are the opinion of the author rather than the actual meaning of the text.
I guess scholars can’t help themselves. I am just sorry that they have never bothered to consult me about the true meaning and significance of the text. I could give them some guidance that is truly the last word.
homo unius libri
As they say, "Experts are just former perts."
ReplyDeleteMy favorite is "old drips under pressure".
DeleteGrace and peace