The quote given, which "seems" to describe the two different approaches to the shared language, makes me feel "good" (Hi, Jackie). Aside from the order in which 'poetry' and 'tool' are placed, he says "Americans can BE POETIC" whereas "English TREAT IT (language) AS A POEM". I would say that "it" does point out (quite nicely) the serious difference, however, I'll have to get the Fowles book to find out exactly what is this "as opposed to nothing" (that distinguishes and characterizes the different ways) to which he is referring...