“The proper method for studying poetry is the method of contemporary biologists: careful first-hand examination of the matter and continual comparison of one ‘slide’ or specimen with another,” suggests Ezra Pound in his seminal book, ABC of Reading. (1)

To illustrate his position, Pound comments, “No [person] is equipped for modern thinking until they have understood the anecdote of Agassiz and the fish.”

Agassiz was a world-renowned biologist in Pound’s time.

“A post-graduate student equipped with honors and diplomas went to Agassiz to receive the final and finishing touches. The great man offered him a small fish and told him to describe it. 

Post-Graduate Student: ‘That’s only a sunfish.’ 

Agassiz: ‘I know that. Write a description of it.’ 

After a few minutes, the student returned with the description of the ichthus Heliodiplodokus, or whatever term is used to conceal the common sunfish from vulgar knowledge, a family of Heliichtherinkus, etc., as found in textbooks of the subject.

Agassiz again told the student to describe the fish. 

The student produced a four-page essay.

Agassiz then told him to look at the fish again and describe it.”

[This process of studying the fish and then describing it continued for three weeks]

“At the end of three weeks, the fish was in an advanced state of decomposition, but the student knew something about it.”

__ Dennis Mellersh, Business Media Writer, Journalist, Editor

(1) Ezra Pound, ABC OF READING, A New Directions Paperbook, 1960, New York