comment on structure

The book is composed of an Introduction, written by the translator, and ten letters of varying lengths, written on various subjects, and composed in various European cities. The primary virtue of this structural form is that, aside from the Introduction, it allows the letters to speak for themselves. There is no commentary, no analysis, and only one or two footnotes—Rilke's words and beliefs are presented as clearly and as objectively as a translation can allow. The principal drawback to this structure is that it contains no explicit content from the Young Poet—his letters, the questions and comments and concerns that triggered Rilke's responses are unavailable to the reader. He is only able to understand the Young Poet and his dilemmas from Rilke's perspective. This, however, has a positive side, allowing those who read the book to imagine that Rilke is speaking to them.