The response of readers to the imaginal content of comparable passages of English and Spanish poetry

Abstract

The imagery of fifty subjects was examined. The subjects were required to rate the intensity of their response to imaginal suggestions in all modalities on a five point scale. Those reporting an average score of 3.0 or more were invited to participate in the experiment on which this investigation is based. Fifty fragments of English poetry and fifty fragments of Spanish poetry in prose translation were presented to these subjects who were instructed to describe the imagery and emotions and sensations aroused by them. The Spanish fragments aroused a significantly higher number of images and emotional reactions. In order to determine whether this response was, in fact, a response to the imaginal content of the selections of verse or merely a response to prose as opposed to poetry, the response of five readers to selections of English verse and prose was investigated. No differences were observed. The imagery of eighteen Spanish students was tested and the result compared with that reported by the English subjects. No differences were observed. Finally, a quantitative investigation was made of a selection of English and Spanish verse. It was found that a significantly higher number of references to death and sadness were made by the Spanish poets and also that these poets used the vocative a significantly higher number of times.