Final answer:
The purpose of Max Ehrmann's poem is to capture and convey mental experiences so that others can emotionally connect with them, engaging the reader through expressive language and imagery. The effectiveness of a poem lies in its structural decisions and literary techniques that enhance its themes and messages.
Step-by-step explanation:
The purpose of Max Ehrmann's poem, like with many literary works, can be multifaceted, but generally, poetry serves to capture and express emotions, ideas, or experiences in a form that resonates with others.
Professor Jeremy Arnold compares a poem to a "pensieve," suggesting it encapsulates mental experiences to be shared with others.
It engages audiences not merely by recounting events or feelings, but by creating experiences on the page through expressive language and imagery, evoking the senses and emotions in the reader.
The effectiveness of a poem can also depend on its structure, the placement of words, and how it constructs patterns which guide the reader's understanding and emotional response.
Throughout the history of poetry, its purpose and the way it communicates have evolved. For example, epics like 'Gilgamesh' were intended for memorization and oral preservation of stories, while the British Romantics emphasized the pleasure derived from experiencing poetry.
A poem's way of conveying its intent can include the poet's use of metaphors, similes, rhyme schemes, and meter, among other techniques.
The structural choices made, such as the length of lines or the pattern of stanzas, can further complement and enhance the themes and messages within the poetry.