Neruda Reflection

Melanie Donnelly
Interactive Oral Reflection – Pablo Neruda
Although I can’t bring to mind any specific poem of Pablo Neruda’s that these presentations affected, they definitely changed the way Iview him as a poet and an artist. Knowing about his life and the political and social situations he experienced gives a new light to the way he writes and the way I perceive his writing. Prior tothis, I had a vague idea of when he lived in Chile, and I knew he was involved in politics, but learning exact dates and political position, as well as the fact that he lived abroad for quite some time,changes the lens I look at Neruda through. Mostly, I think, it affects how I analyse and understand his sense of nationality. I’ve noticed a mention in some of his poems of the richness andmagnificence of Chile. Did he truly believe in Chile as a nation and its cultural values? His poems reveal things about his life, and vice versa.
Apart from politics, learning about the general culturethrough which Neruda lived was minimally informative, though definitely still important when examining his work. Everyone is influenced by the society and culture they grow up in, and they base theiropinions and values on how they experience this society. So, Neruda’s outlook and therefore his poems are products of Chilean culture. For example, the “Ode to a Tomato” definitely expresses a differentview of a tomato than an American would ever think of, because that is more important to the cuisine and culture of Chile. Also, based on the presentation, it seems as though the visual art trends inChile and Neruda’s poetry had a lot of overlap and connection. This is likely a result of similar cultural reactions and experiences between Neruda and the visual artists.
Overall I feel that learningeven small facts about Neruda’s life can help change how I interpret his poetry. Knowing his background helps me develop thought on, and guides me into a better understanding of the messages Neruda...