Negros

Breana Thomas

Professor Ruffin

Acting Tech I

Letters to a young poet response

In reading Letters to a young poet by Rainer Maria Rilke, I found that her letters were not answers to becoming a better artist they were life lessons. In order to understand poetry you have to take in every word as if it were breathing and take time to understand each sentence. There are more in depth things readers have to understand, so that they can process these writings. In chapter two, Rainer says “seek for the depth of things: their irony never descends” (2.210). As I processed this, I began to understand that with every sentence or stanza there is a different meaning but in conclusion all make a point. They are not just words in a stanza they serve purpose to the writer and may also have a meaning to my own life. As an artist I have to dig deeper in text and take time to live in my creations and other author’s writings. When writing or performing there is a process. Artists go through stages of progression in their creations in order to capture the minds of readers. There are self- discoveries throughout this process as well. On the last page of chapter two I began to question myself through my thought process as I read her statement, “ run through the texture of your growing as one of the most important threads amongst all threads of your experiences, disappointments and joys”(2.228) I had to reexamine myself as an actress. I don’t use enough of my past experiences to reflect with my work for example, when I am doing a monologue or studying a scene it is sometimes hard for me to connect to the character so I use my experience with other people who share similar qualities to bring myself to an understanding. In reality, there is so much of myself that I can probably find in a lot of characters. As you write or perform it is crucial to be honest with yourself. Your flaws and personal journeys should show in your work. Whether the experience is personal or not it should...