Art begins when a man, with a purpose of communicating to other people a feeling he once experienced, calls it up again within himself and expresses it by certain external signs.
Leo TolstoyRead
The dream is not a map. A poem is not the territory. The dreamer reclines in a barbershop carpeted with Afro turf. In the dark some soul yells. It hurts to walk barefoot on cowrie shells.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the distinction between abstract concepts and the tangible reality they represent.
In this quote, Harryette Mullen highlights that dreams and artistic expressions, such as poetry, are not strict representations of reality. Instead, they serve as personal interpretations that may evoke feelings or experiences, rather than providing a clear guide. The imagery of discomfort and vivid experiences suggests that engaging with art and dreams often involves navigating through complex sensations and emotions that are not always directly correlated with their source.
Themes
DreamPoemArtRealityInterpretation
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion on the nature of art versus reality during a workshop.
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