Here's why:
* Imagism: A movement in early 20th-century poetry that emphasized clarity, precision, and concreteness of imagery. It aimed to present vivid images without extensive explanation or interpretation.
* "Direct treatment of the 'thing'": This principle encourages poets to focus on presenting the subject matter in a clear and direct way, allowing the reader to form their own interpretations without the poet explicitly stating their own feelings or opinions.
Example:
Instead of saying, "The sunset was beautiful and made me feel sad," an Imagist poet might write:
> The sun, a blood orange, dipped below the horizon, leaving a trail of crimson and gold across the sky.
This description relies on sensory details to create a vivid picture for the reader. The poet doesn't explicitly state their emotions, allowing the reader to experience the scene and draw their own conclusions.
Important Note: While Imagist poets often avoided commentary, this doesn't mean they didn't have emotions or thoughts about their subjects. It simply means they chose to express those ideas through the power of imagery rather than direct statements.