The Power of Poetry Panel Discussion Questions

The best story I can think of that illustrates the power of poetry is Nelson Mandela, who died on December 5, 2013.  Mandela spent 27 years between 1962 and 1980 in prison.  The anti-apartheid peaceful revolutionary was not defeated by his imprisonment instead during his confinement at the Robben Island prison, Mandela studied law by correspondence at the University of London, learned Afrikaans to foster a rapport with jailhouse wardens, and was instrumental in launching the “University of Robben Island”, where prisoners possessing expertise in particular fields presented lectures to their fellow inmates.  However he was cruely treated.  Like Gandi and MLK, he patiently persevered. In an interview with Charlie Rose, above, Morgan Freeman discusses Mandela’s reliance on William Ernest Henley’s 1875 poem, “Invictus,” to keep his hope alive: “That poem was his favorite… When he lost courage, when he felt like just giving up — just lie down and not get up again — he would recite it. And it would give him what he needed to keep going.”
Freeman, who played Mandela in the 2009 film Invictus, also provides a solemn and dignified recitation of the poem. Although this poem is strongly connected to Mandela in his times of despair, its words of courage have served as inspiration to countless others. Famous figures who have drawn hope from “Invictus” include the father of Burmese opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi during his struggle for Burmese independence and tennis champion Andre Agassi. Rumor has it that U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was also quite fond of it.

“Invictus” 

Out of the night that covers me,

Black as the Pit from pole to pole,

I thank whatever gods may be

For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance

I have not winced nor cried aloud.

Under the bludgeonings of chance

My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears

Looms but the Horror of the shade,

And yet the menace of the years

Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,

How charged with punishments the scroll.

I am the master of my fate:

I am the captain of my soul.

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Ilia Blinderman is a Montreal-based culture and science writer. Follow him at @iliablinderman.

Related Content:

Nelson Mandela’s First-Ever TV Interview (1961)

U2 Releases a Nelson Mandela-Inspired Song, “Ordinary Love”

Nelson Mandela Archive Goes Online “Invictus” Free Audio Books and Free eBooks collections.

Questions for the panel discussion:

In your opinion, what makes a poem a poem? What does it take for  a poem to be good for you?

In what ways do you think poetry is powerful?

Do you have a favorite poem that defines who you are and / or grounds you?  What is the history of that poem in your life?

Where are the various places we find poetry?  Are the lyrics of songs considered poetry? 

Can anyone write poetry? Why would you write poetry? Do you need to study this form of literature to write poetry?

Is poetry relevant?  Does it matter?  Is it part of our culture?

Who would you say is the greatest American poet?  What do you think is the greatest American poem?