What is the difference between Poem and Poetry according to Coleridge criticism?

Before going to detail to differentiate poem and poetry, we should first know what is prose, Poem and poetry in general in literature)

1) Prose:

Ordinary writing" which is made from a Sentences and paragraphs without  having any metrical (or rhyming) structure.

2) Poem:

A verbal composition which is designed (made up) to covey experience ideas and emotion in a Vivid (Clear) and Imaginative way. In poem we use metre, metaphor and rhyme.

3) Poetry:

(Greek word which means making). It is a form of Literature that use aesthetic and Rhythmic qualities of language (Sound Symbolism, metre) which evokes meanings.

Coleridge’s views on prose, poem and poetry:

Both prose and poem contains the same elements. But the difference is between the Combinations of those elements and objects. The difference of the object depends upon its composition.

1. If the object of the poem is simply to memorize things easily, so the poet would make use of certain artificial Arrangement of words with the help of metre. This metre will make this a poem. So in this aspect the difference between the prose and poem is metre and rhyme only. But according to Coleridge e only super addition of metre or rhyme does not make a poem. 

He gives further explanations of various prose writing and its immediate purpose and ultimate end. In science and history the immediate purpose is to convey truth (Facts). In prose works of other kind (Romance, novels) to give pleasure in the immediate purpose and the ultimate and may be to give truth. Thus the Immediate purpose is to give pleasure but not in metrical Shape.

Question is?

Is metre makes a composition poem? In this respect (khawala) Coleridge says that along metre other parts (elements of the poem) of the Composition must harmonies with it. In order to deserve the name Poem each part (means metre, rhyme, diction, and theme) must harmonies with the wholeness of the Composition. This means only the addition of meter is not enough, rather all other parts must be added to create harmony and this will call a thing a poem.

Thus poem is defined as; That Species (Kind) of Compositor which is opposed to works of Science and apoem gives pleasure as its primary object and it also gives pleasure as a whole. Thus poem is distinguished from prose by its immediate object.

Thus Coleridge puts an end to the age old Controversy whether the end of poem is instruction or delight. Its aim is definitely to give pleasure and further explains that poem has its own distinctive pleasure. Pleasure arising from the parts and this pleasure of the parts supports and Increases the pleasure of the whole.

He gives examples of Plato dialogues, which are not in metrical shape but yet are poetical in taste.

What is poem and Poetry?

Coleridge does not give clear distinction between them. Here he focuses his attention on imagination.

According to Coleridge Poetry is like asking what a poet is-?

A poet is a man who brings his whole soul in operation with his separate faculties arranged each to each according to their respective worth and dignity. He says Intellect and reason is a part not whole of the Soul. When all these parts or faculties become one fused into one another and make a whole unit. This magical power which unite all these into one is called Imagination, through this magical Power of Imagination, the poet mixes the ideas with Images universal with particulars and Judgment with enthusiasm. This one united effect is called poetry. Through this imagination the poet fuses two different things with one another

Like ------ object- Subject.

Matter ------ Manner.

Art ------ Nature.

Knower ------ Known.

The duality remains no more. This unique synthesis is called the work of Imagination.

Thus according to Coleridge, Poem of any length cannot be poetry. Poetry is the soul of a metrical composition. Poetry is a process of two fold!

1. Peeping into heart.

2. Essence of reality and presenting them in a poetic manner.

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