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There is also poetry written to be shouted in a square in front of an enthusiastic crowd. This occurs especially in countries where authoritarian regimes are in power.
Eugenio Montale
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Interpretation

What this quote means

The quote highlights the role of poetry as a form of expression, particularly in politically charged environments.

Eugenio Montale's quote emphasizes the power of poetry as a medium for vocal expression, especially in contexts where free speech is suppressed by authoritarian regimes. It suggests that poetry can serve as a rallying cry for the oppressed, allowing for communal solidarity and emotional release in front of passionate audiences, transcending mere literary appreciation to become a tool for resistance and empowerment.

Themes

PoetryExpressionAuthoritarianismProtestFreedom

In practice

Example use cases

During a literary event discussing the role of art in activism.

More from Eugenio Montale

But poets were not considered dangerous and they were advised to exercise self-censorship. At most, poets were requested not to write at all. I took advantage of this negative liberty.
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There is poetry even in prose, in all the great prose which is not merely utilitarian or didactic: there exist poets who write in prose or at least in more or less apparent prose; millions of poets write verses which have no connection with poetry.
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Mass communication, radio, and especially television, have attempted, not without success, to annihilate every possibility of solitude and reflection.
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It has often been observed that the repercussion of poetic language on prose language can be considered a decisive cut of a whip.
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I have always knocked at the door of that wonderful and terrible enigma which is life.
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For my part, if I consider poetry as an object, I maintain that it is born of the necessity of adding a vocal sound (speech) to the hammering of the first tribal music.
Eugenio MontaleRead

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Quote by Eugenio Montale | QuoteProject