With fiction, you can talk about plot, character and narrative, whereas a poem brings home the fact that everything that happens in a work of literature happens in terms of language. And this is daunting stuff to deal with.

Summary

This quote suggests that fiction and poetry differ in their approach to literature. While fiction may focus on elements like plot, character, and storytelling, poetry emphasizes the significance of language itself. The quote points out that poetry serves as a reminder that all literary works are fundamentally constructed through the use of language, highlighting the complex and intimidating nature of grappling with language in creative writing. It implies that exploring poetry requires delving into the nuanced and intricate aspects of language to understand and appreciate it fully.

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