Skip to content

Time in the heart and sequence in the brain-- Such as…

“Time in the heart and sequence in the brain-- Such as destroyed Rimbaud and fooled Verlaine. And let us then take godhead by the neck-- And strangle it, and with it, rhetoric.” quote by Conrad Aiken
Download Open image
“Time in the heart and sequence in the brain-- Such as destroyed Rimbaud and fooled Verlaine. And let us then take godhead by the neck-- And strangle it, and with it, rhetoric.”

Conrad Aiken

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The poem critiques intellectual pretensions, urging a violent rejection of empty rhetoric.

In simple terms: Reject hollow rhetoric with force.

Key Takeaway

Challenge and dismantle meaningless discourse.

Themes

critique philosophy rebellion

Mood

provocative skeptical

Type

poetic philosophical

When to use this quote

  • academic debate
  • creative writing
  • public speaking

Key Concepts

existentialism literary criticism nihilism

Questions to Reflect On

  • What alternatives exist to confront empty rhetoric?
  • Is aggression effective in intellectual discourse?
A Different Perspective

Violent metaphors may alienate constructive dialogue.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet

More by Conrad Aiken

Explore all 70 Conrad Aiken quotes

More Brain quotes

Browse all 8,465 Brain quotes