Poem Interpretation Quotes & Sayings

Never focus on the end. Only focus on your first step. — Brodi Ashton

This philistinism of interpretation is more rife in literature than in any other art. For decades now, literary critics have understood it to be their task to translate the elements of the poem or play or novel or story into something else. Sometimes a writer will be so uneasy before the naked power of his art that he will install within the work itself - albeit with a little shyness, a touch of the good taste of irony - the clear and explicit interpretation of it. Thomas Mann is an example of such an overcooperative author. In the case of more stubborn authors, the critic is only too happy to perform the job. — Susan Sontag

All the others arts are lonely. We paint alone
my picture, my interpretation of the sky. My poem, my novel. But in music
ensemble music, not soloism
we share. No altruism this, for we receive tenfold what we give. — Catherine Drinker Bowen

Is not a critic," asks Professor Stoll, "... a judge, who does not explore his own consciousness, but determines the author's meaning or intention, as if the poem were a will, a contract, or the constitution? — William K. Wimsatt

Sweet is the recollection of difficulties overcome. — Marcus Tullius Cicero

On the way back, Dennis, who has been unusually quiet this lunchtime, speaks up. 'I've been thinking about that Robert Frost poem,' he says. 'I don't think it's about making choices at all.'
'What's it about, so?' Geoff says.
'Anal sex,' Dennis says.
'Anal sex?'
'How'd'you figure, Dennis?'
'Well, once you see it, it's pretty obvious. Just look at what he says. He's in a wood, right? He sees two roads in front of him. He takes the one less travelled. What else could it be about? — Paul Murray

It was hard to be around Jean because he looked at her and saw what Meg's future would have been if she hadn't been brave enough to run away - and if Jean hadn't been brave enough to stay. — Anne Bishop

I don't think I'd want to sit down and listen to people's stories all day long. — Joan Severance

I don't think I've ever been asked to act out bad sex. It's not my style. I've been blessed with good rhythm. — Charles Dance

In this world, two ilk of men exist-those who think they don't need to, and those who think they must. A third alien type exists when indecisiveness is involved. — Solange Nicole

To remain silent is out of the question for a strong and honest man. — Erik Larson

You've often heard me say - perhaps too often - that poetry is what is lost in translation. It is also what is lost in interpretation. That little poem means just what it says and it says what it means, nothing less but nothing more. — Robert Frost

You may be talented, but you're not Kanye West. — Kanye West

I am bothered by poems I don't understand. — Joyce Rachelle

A person at peace can immediately recognize a consciousness in crisis, whereas those in crisis cannot fully understand themselves or others. — Bryant McGill