The story of poetry versus the story of a novel

So, as I was sitting here trying to think of what of many subjects to write about, when I looked at a book I've been reading (The Count of Monte Cristo) and it suddenly popped into my head, do poems and novels tell the same stories?

Quite frankly and simply, yes they do. Obviously poetry is the most condensed form of writing and expressing and idea, thought, theme, etc. through words. Now if we think about it, what's the difference between said novels and poetry? Essentially nothing, except novels are generally longer (Exclude epic poems such as the Iliad and Odyssey), are read differently, and perhaps are analyzed differently.

What I'm trying to get at is, what's the problem with poetry that many students seem to have? Is it the stigma put in our brains early in life of the classic "Roses are red/ violets are blue..." that somehow reduces poetry to simple romantic gestures? Probably.

In the end, poetry and novels are retellings of the same stories, yet novels have less negative reputation than poetry.

Just a rant about an observation.

Things that stuck out to me...

Well, I'll be the first to confess that I didn't go through all 1500 pages. However, I did go through quite a good chunk of it. With that being said, I saw some familiar titles (Jabberwocky being the most familiar), and some rhythmic and melodic dictation for oral poetry, which I thought was interesting. It made me wonder if the poet him/herself wrote the dictation for the poem or if another artist did. I also noticed the style the book uses for interpretation of works. On the side of the story (or poem, whatever the case may be), there's side notes and comments written by the author. I can see this being useful for many of the stories we will read, but I also think it may be constricting in some ways. Perhaps instead of coming up with our own ideas about the story, we may (Not saying we will) just read the author's interpretations and call it good.

What people were talking about...

Well, while riding the streamline bus I remembered about Michael's assignment, so I listened to a couple of girls talking. They were talking about their new houses, where they live, what they would like to do with their places, gardening, and a few other related subjects. Let's see what Michael says about this...

Where are you going, Where have you been?

A most disturbing story to say the least. The fact that it's based off a true character makes it that much more sickening. I don't exactly understand why Connie went so "willingly", for lack of better words, at the end. After freaking out and screaming she just goes with Arnold to probably never be seen again? Perhaps I missed something, since I was reading it at around 1 in the morning. Also, what was the purpose of Ellie in the story, and what was the deal with the phone that Arnold kept telling him to shut up about? Interested little details that I didn't see connections to.

First day

First day of literature 110. Seems like a pretty cool class. I'm pretty excited for The Brothers Karamazov. I read another novel by Fyodor Dostoevsky (Spelling?) called Crime and Punishment. A very good book, I like his style. Dr Sexson (Who I will refer to as Michael from now on) seems like a good teacher. Honest, humorous, and isn't boring.