Does anyone else have this problem?

[BrokenBoy]

Like I've always had this problem where I can't "see"(for a lack of a better word) small details in art and media. I can't see symbolism or subtext and I tend to get confused whenever I come across a deep work and I end up looking up an analysis of the work to try to comprehend what I just read.

I've been trying to get into poetry recently but I just simply can't because I can't ever understand it. This is because poems tend to be just all "details" which I can't see. There's
only 3 poems I've ever been able to understand and they have very simple language..

The first one was the one @Joshua Aaron wrote wrote for I think his school's website about being an outcast(Been a while since I saw it so I might have gotten some details wrong).

The second one was an awful thing by hack writer Earnest Cline called "Nerd Porn Auteur". It's the most incel thing I've ever had the misfortune of witnessing.

The last one was this medicore and melodramatic poem called "To This Day" by some dude named Shane Koyczan which is really well liked even it sounds like the diary of a angsty fat teenage girl.


Whenever I need someone else to point out the small details or symbolism I end up feeling really dumb and hate myself for not ever being able to understand on my own. God I'm so dumb.

Does anyone else have this problem?

 

[Crossbreed]

Whenever I need someone else to point out the small details or symbolism I end up feeling really dumb and hate myself for not ever being able to understand on my own. God I'm so dumb.

You are being too hard on yourself. It just means it isn't your forte'.

I'm in Mensa and there are plenty of things that I cannot do (like playing chess). For a "broken" boy, you need to give yourself a break.

 

[Streetwise]

Like I've always had this problem where I can't "see"(for a lack of a better word) small details in art and media. I can't see symbolism or subtext and I tend to get confused whenever I come across a deep work and I end up looking up an analysis of the work to try to comprehend what I just read.

I've been trying to get into poetry recently but I just simply can't because I can't ever understand it. This is because poems tend to be just all "details" which I can't see. There's
only 3 poems I've ever been able to understand and they have very simple language..

The first one was the one @Joshua Aaron wrote wrote for I think his school's website about being an outcast(Been a while since I saw it so I might have gotten some details wrong).

The second one was this awful one by hack writer Earnest Cline called "Nerd Porn Auteur". It's the most incel thing I've ever had the misfortune of witnessing.

The last one was this medicore and melodramatic poem called "To This Day" by some dude named Shane Koyczan which is really well liked even it sounds like the diary of a angsty fat teenage girl.

Whenever I need someone else to point out the small details or symbolism I end up feeling really dumb and hate myself for not ever being able to understand on my own. God I'm so dumb.

Does anyone else have this problem?

yes I tried to write poetry once but I always pick it apart when I was reading the Bible I don't really understand it but I always think it sounds like poetry and when I try to read Shakespeare it was the same sometimes it sounds like a love letter but I still don't get it i've immediately attached the word developmental disorder it seems that if you are autistic you stop developing ( Socialisation )about two years old which may be the reason we can't understand poetry

 

[Joshua the Writer]

You have summoned me.

Poetry/literature in general just might not be your strong suite, and that's okay. Everybody has their strengths and weaknesses.

 

[tree]

@BrokenBoy
You might have more luck recognizing symbolism and
meaning in poetry if you'd read some actual poetry, instead
of watching videos on youtube. It's a skill that can be
improved.

There's lots of informative material available to read about symbols/symbolism in poetry.
Likewise, for symbols in visual art.

 

[tlc]

The only thing I see in poetry is rhyme and rhythm. And the kind that doesn't have any of that, all I see is a bunch of words. But I respect the people who wrote it because like the one by Joshua Aaron, it has great meaning to the writer. I just don't see that meaning.

I also don't understand fiction books whatsoever. I can't even follow most movies. All I see is interesting tidbits and details (like if the year of the car is later than when the movie is set), but I couldn't tell you the bigger picture of who is related or friends with who, why anybody is where they are, what half their names are, etc.

Nor can I do any kind of creative or fiction writing. Or roleplay games. Writing or creating music that hasn't been done before.

But I am great at technical books and writing, and the spelling and mechanics of writing, and playing cover songs. We are all good at different things. And there's nothing wrong with that.

 

[Moonhart44]

I have trouble interpreting metaphors myself, and this is why i end up extensively looking up symbolism regarding works of art and poetry. I dont really find this detrimental as once we look these things up we become even more informed than the average interpreter. We know the symbolism and the history and then some.

 

[Dadamen]

I am pretty bad at interpretating literature, in school a few people are active on Croatian lessons and they talk to a teacher all the time, others sit and wait for the lesson to pass. I often wonder how those few can see those symbolics. Also, my reading comprehension is poor.