In his book "Old School," Tobias Wolff expresses a strong disdain for rhyme in poetry, suggesting that it misrepresents reality by implying an unrealistic sense of harmony and resolution. He argues that when a rhyme appears, it creates a false narrative of everything working out perfectly, which he considers deceptive. This perspective challenges the conventional view of rhyme as a beautiful or meaningful poetic device.

Wolff believes that reliance on rhyme reflects sentimental longing rather than genuine expression, labeling it as a "bankrupt device" rooted in nostalgia. He invites readers to question the authenticity of poetic forms that rely on rhyme, suggesting that they are merely vehicles for wishful thinking rather than true reflections of life’s complexities.