Subjective Literature (Types of Subjective Poetry)

What is Subjective Literature?

The term “subjective literature” refers to any written work that is not objective but instead tells a story from the perspective of one or more characters. It is characterized by an emphasis on emotion and introspection, as well as a lack of objectivity in content.

Subjective literature can be found in novels, poetry, drama, and other literary forms. This type of writing differs greatly from objective literature because it puts forth ideas without providing evidence for them. It explores the various perspectives people have on reality and how their individual feelings influence their views on what they experience. The author’s point-of-view influences what happens in the storyline with events often being created based on the author’s personal experiences or desires.

Literature can be categorized into two parts, Subjective and Objective.

Definition

Subjective literature is internally inspired literature in which the writers extract emotions from the internal subject. In subjective writing, writers usually convey personal experiences and feelings. The forms of subjective writings are autobiographies, personal essays, lyrical literature, lyrical poetry, ode, and sonnet. This term of writing was largely used in the romantic age. ‘Keats’ used subjectivity in his Odes and other writers like P.B. Shelly, James Joyce, and Thomas Wolfe vividly used this kind of writing.

What is Subjective Poetry?

In subjective poetry, the poet’s thinking, likes, and dislikes, ideology, personal experience, and assumptions have been discussed in his creative work. This subjective poetry enhances our attraction towards the work and creates curiosity about what to do next.

Types of Subjective Poetry

There are four types of subjective poetry.

Lyric
Elegy
Ode
Sonnet

Lyric:

The word “lyric’’ was originated from ancient Greek literature, “the lyric”. It is a short poem that includes musical qualities having a rhyme scheme. The Poet discusses his personal experience in his creative work. Writer’s including the famous writer Pindar used this form of poetry in his work.

Elegy:

It is derived from the Greek word “Elegia” which means lament. In this form of subjective poetry, the Poet discusses the death of someone beloved and it has a serious theme. Thomas Gray’s “Elegy in the country churchyard” is a famous elegy in literature.

Ode:

The Ode is an elaborately structured poem that glorifies some event or individual. In this form of Poetry, the Poet directly addresses someone or something or describes nature intellectually and emotionally. John Keat’s Ode on a Grecian Urn is a famous ode in literature.

Sonnet:

Originated from the Italian Word Sonnetto and used from the 13th century. It has a strict rhyme scheme of fourteen lines having a specific structure. Petrarch and William Shakespeare used this form of poetry.

Function of Subjective

Subjective writing approach is advantageous in that permits the readers to go into the deep of a writer through an explanation of his characters, opinions, and beliefs. It sometimes builds pressure and provides freedom to readers to explain the actions of characters individually. The approach gives an opinion that every person interprets a thing from a different angle.

Subjective Poetry Vs. Objective Poetry

‘Subjective Poetry’ includes self-expression and the personal experience of a poet. Personal thoughts and feelings are also included in this form of poetry.

Objective Poetry is impersonal in which the writer is inspired by the actions and passion of the outside world. This form of poetry includes ‘epic’, ‘novel’ and ‘drama’.

Use of Subjectivity in Literature

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by Joyce
The Way of All Flesh by Samuel Butler
Look Homeward, Angel by Thomas Wolfe
Tintern Abbey by William Wordsworth
Ode to the West Wind by John Keats
Essays of Elia by Charles Lamb
Paradise Lost by Milton
Dover Beach by Mathew Arnold

Subjective Literature (Types of Subjective Poetry)

Further Reading

Subjective Literature (Types of Subjective Poetry)

What is Subjective Literature?

Definition

What is Subjective Poetry?