Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board
Voicelessness and Emotional Survival => Voicelessness and Emotional Survival Message Board => Topic started by: Dr. Richard Grossman on January 21, 2021, 04:36:45 PM
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Hi everybody,
In one of my early essays for the Voicelessness site, I wrote about Robert Frost’s poem “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening” and its subtext: his considering suicide. I have long wondered about the relatively high percentage of suicides by wonderful poets/writers. In this context, I found the article below important. We’re just beginning to understand the genetic link between intelligence and depression.
"THERE IS A GENETIC LINK BETWEEN INTELLIGENCE AND MOOD DISORDERS." by ALI PATTILLO
https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/genetic-links-between-depression-intelligence
Take care,
Richard
P.S. Sadly, Frost’s son, Carol, burned all of his poetry and committed suicide.
P.P.S. I'm sorry to bring up this topic in such difficult times, but I thought it important.
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That is interesting, Dr G. I do remember years ago reading an article (it was anecdotal rather than scientific) that was along the lines of depression being a way of shutting down when the brain has done too much or has too much to process. Which would kind of make sense; I guess someone intelligent would be doing a lot with their brains most of the time so it could become overwhelming in some way. I often wonder if the modern world is just too much for sensitive people, the kind that are musicians and artists and poets. I think if you have that creative streak you so and absorb so much - but there's so much that isn't pleasant, I wonder if it's just too much to cope with. Maybe our systems just aren't designed for all that we do.
It was an interesting read, thank you! I didn't know that about Robert Frost's son. That's very sad.
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Hi Tupp,
Thanks for your response. The older I get, the more it appears to me that “ignorance (really is) bliss.” The closer we look at reality, the more depressing it appears. And “intelligent” artists/writers often do want to look at reality, i.e., the world as it really is. The important part of this, to me, is that wonderful art, in all its forms, gives people the opportunity to connect and not feel so alone in the world. Such is the purpose of art in all of its forms—and, as I learned after my 40 years of studying human beings, therapy, too!
Take care,
Richard
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I was surprised that the poem could be about the choice to commit suicide. Amidst all that beauty and the greatness of his creativity death still accompanied him and wasn't far away. I think that is a very understandable thought and not something to freak out about. In other culture death lives very close to a person, just on their shoulder, and this is considered a balancing way of being.
I have worked with many people who are thinking of suicide out of despair of ever feeling like they want to live. They are surprised when I don't sit up and really tune in and take notice.
When you talk about how ignorance is bliss and how people who feel things deeply and are creative and intuitive, I completely agree. Life is hard and there is suffering and injustice and despair.
How softly Frost approaches this desire for death.
It is good you brought this up. I have talked with so many people who feel suicidal and each time talking about the feelings and situations that brought it up was helpful. Pema Chodron talks about this as a great opening where healing and new ways of thinking and feeling can begin. The old way has fallen apart when suicide seems the only option to this crazy world. Many times I have been at the brink and this place brings me back with compassionate accetance and the deep listening that can occur here. Thank you