In this intriguing conversation, Dana Gioia, a former corporate executive turned poet, shares his unique journey from the world of business to the realm of poetry.
He discusses his approach to writing, the role of art in society, and the importance of understanding and appreciating poetry.
My desire has always been to write a poem that my fellow poets will say, ‘Gee, that’s really well made, that’s really a nice work,’ but is really registered to speak to a broad mix of humanity. And there’s an assumption in the university that the common reader, the average person is stupid. And I hate to say this in public, but the center of human intelligence, the epicenter of human intellectuality is not the English department. – Dana Gioia
Creativity’s Crucial Role in Business
Gioia’s background in poetry provided him with a unique perspective in the corporate world.
His ability to reconceptualize businesses and find new solutions to problems was a key factor in his success.
This highlights the importance of creativity in business.
Underrated Art Museums
Gioia shares his thoughts on underrated art museums.
He believes that the Hermitage is probably the most underrated because a significant portion of its art is usually out on loan.
He also mentions the Bob Jones Junior University gallery, which has an incredible collection of Italian Baroque art that is not widely known or visited.
Poets’ Role in Opera
Gioia discusses the role of poets in opera, arguing that opera still requires the skills of a poet to create elevated, concise, and lyrical language and stories.
He suggests that the quality of a libretto can greatly influence the success of an opera.
My advantage and it was a disadvantage when I was an entry-level person, I was really at a disadvantage being a creative person. I was very good at numbers so I could fake my way through. But with each promotion at General Foods, actually the particular skills I had which was in a sense of reconceptualizing things, taking a solution that people have, breaking it apart and creating a new solution. – Dana Gioia
The Unusual Blend of Business and Poetry
Dana Gioia’s unique career trajectory, transitioning from a corporate executive at General Foods to a renowned poet, has significantly influenced his writing style.
His ability to blend creativity with a robust understanding of numbers and analytics was instrumental in his success in both fields.
Humanities: A Missing Piece in Education
Gioia criticizes the lack of focus on humanities in MBA programs and the American educational system in general.
He believes that this lack of focus results in a lack of creativity and a narrow understanding of history and humanities among business students.
Narrative: A Vital Element in Art
Gioia discusses the transformation of arts during the modern movement, noting a bias against narrative.
He argues that humanity needs stories, and the deprivation of narrative in our culture has had a significant human cost, including loss of creativity, productivity, and even leading to suicide and drug use.
Virgil’s Influence on Early Christianity
Gioia discusses the influence of Virgil on early Christianity, arguing that understanding Virgil is crucial to understanding early Christian thought.
He suggests that Virgil’s work was interpreted by early Christians as prophetic, which helped to preserve the classical tradition and shape the philosophical, theological, and artistic tradition of Catholicism.
Lyrics: The Soul of Opera
Gioia emphasizes the importance of creating lyrics that a singer can inhabit.
He explains that when writing lyrics for an opera libretto, it needs to work as a poem, be set to music, and be something that the singer can embody during the performance.
Memorizing Poetry: A Path to Understanding
Gioia strongly advocates for memorizing poetry as the only way to truly understand it.
He believes that learning poetry by heart allows one to internalize its meaning and appreciate its indirect, intuitive, and even physical aspects.
Comparing Operas and Musicals
Gioia believes that classic musicals like Showboat and Annie Get Your Gun have tremendously fine lyrics, which he finds lacking in contemporary musicals and operas.
He emphasizes that all elements of an opera need to work together for it to be successful.
Brian Wilson’s Contribution to Music
Gioia discusses the work of Brian Wilson, a lyricist from his hometown.
He appreciates Wilson’s transformation of the popular song and his creation of a genre that encapsulates a vision of California as the American dream.
However, he also acknowledges the tragic and melancholic undertones in Wilson’s songs.
Poetry’s Social Function
Gioia sees poetry as having a social function, which is to increase human happiness.
He explains that art, including poetry, awakens individuals to their potential, enlarges it, and refines it.
On a social level, he believes that the purpose of poetry is to enlarge our empathy and understanding of one another.
