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There are things which some people never attempt during their whole lives, but one of these is not poetry. Poetry attacks all human beings sooner or later, and, like the measles, is mild or violent according to the age of the sufferer.
Mark Twain
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Interpretation

What this quote means

Poetry is an inevitable experience for everyone, impacting them differently based on their life stage.

Mark Twain's quote highlights the universal nature of poetry, suggesting that it is an experience that affects all people at some point in their lives. Just like the measles, which can be a mild or severe illness depending on the age of the person, the encounter with poetry can vary in intensity and significance depending on an individual's personal growth and circumstances.

Themes

PoetryExperienceHumanityEmotionAge

In practice

Example use cases

In a literature class, the teacher could use this quote to inspire students to embrace poetry.

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