Depression caused by poems?

Question

I'm depressed (not clinically) right now because I get frustrated when I'm reading/viewing things that are supposed to be entertaining. I feel like I miss crucial details if I don't pay 200% attention and the attention makes me miss out on the emotions of the TV shows/movies...

I think it this sprang from my English Honors course (I'm serious). In the course, the class had to read many poems and novels. Almost all the poems I read made me feel horrible. I didn't know that things wouldn't be taken literally, but figuratively. I couldn't grasp the ideas of the poems at all. It made me feel so stupid. For example, I thought "Lord of the Flies" was just a story about some boys on an island. Then, I found out there's this huge "evil-human-nature" theme underlying the context. So, now my depression stems from this. I don't want to miss important things and be an idiot. But, the joy and experience is gone... What should I do...?

Answer 1

Think of some words that you read that you didn't completely understand, and look them up for their definition. Going past words you don't completely understand can fog you out and disaffect you from a subject. Then think of some of the things you consider was something wrong you did to another or a group of people, then write them down, when they happened, where they happened and what you did, and give it to your church or some other moral authority figure, perhaps your parents.

Answer 2

Relax!

Good art is rich, giving something new each time you attend. It shouldn't be work. It needs to delight. A good poem. like a good painting  should be enjoyed each time you go back for a visit; each time, giving you something new.  Nobody "gets it" on the first visit. Nor should one try. It would be like trying to see all of the Grand Canyon in an hour. You might see a lot, but you would probably miss out on the feeling of grandeur. Sometimes enjoying or appreciating art is simply a matter of timing.  So until the context of your life resonates with the artist's context (which is undoubtedly going to happen as your life unfolds), just relax.