QuoteProject
It is true that the poet does not directly address his neighbors; but he does address a great congress of persons who dwell at the back of his mind, a congress of all those who have taught him and whom he has admired; they constitute his ideal audience and his better self.
Richard Wilbur
ShareWTF𝕏

Interpretation

What this quote means

The poet communicates not just with those around him but with a deeper audience of influences and ideals.

In this quote, Richard Wilbur highlights the idea that a poet's true audience is not merely the physical people around him but rather an internal assembly of inspirations and admired figures that shape his creative expression. This 'congress' represents the ideals and teachings that inform the poet's work, suggesting that art is a conversation with one's own better self and the legacy of those who have influenced us.

Themes

PoetAudienceInfluenceArtistic ExpressionCreativity

In practice

Example use cases

In a discussion on the role of poetry in society during a literature class.

More from Richard Wilbur

Oh, let there be nothing on earth but laundry,_x000D_ Nothing but rosy hands in the rising steam_x000D_ And clear dances done in the sight of heaven.
Richard WilburRead
I would feel dead if I didn't have the ability periodically to put my world in order with a poem. I think to be inarticulate is a great suffering, and is especially so to anyone who has a certain knack for poetry.
Richard WilburRead

Similar quotes

People say you're trapped in this genre. You're a horror guy. I say wait a minute - I'm able to say exactly what I think. I'm able to talk about, comment about, take snapshots of what's going on at the time. I don't feel trapped. I feel like this is my way of being able to express myself.
George A. RomeroRead
Burmese authors and artists can play the role that artists everywhere play. They help to mold the outlook of a society - not the whole outlook, and they are not the only ones to mold the outlook of society, but they have an important role to play there.
Aung San Suu KyiRead
Theater has to resonate in your heart in a way that movies don't.
Harvey FiersteinRead
When you work as an actor, you've got to feel safe even in what appears to be the simplest things.
Richard GereRead
The constant fear of a performer is to become what is reflected back at you.
Linda RonstadtRead
I ask of cinema what most North Americans ask of psychedelic drugs.
Alejandro JodorowskyRead

A little wisdom, now and then

Subscribe for the occasional hand-picked quote. No noise.