That to the adolescent is the authentic poetic note and…
““That to the adolescent is the authentic poetic note and whoever is the first in his life to strike it, whether Tennyson, Keats, Swinburne, Housman or another, awakens a passion of imitation and an affectation which no subsequent refinement or sophistication of his taste can entirely destroy. In my own case it was Hardy in the summer of 1923; for more than a year I read no one else and I do not think that I was ever without one volume or another or the beautifully produced Wessex edition in my hands: I smuggled them into class, carried them about on Sunday walks, and took them up to the dormitory to read in the early morning, though they were far too unwieldy to be read in bed with comfort. In the autumn of 1924 there was a palace revolution after which he had to share his kingdom with Edward Thomas, until finally they were both defeated by Elliot at the battle of Oxford in 1926.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Adolescence creates a lasting poetic imprint; early influences shape taste and persist despite later refinement.
In simple terms: Early literary idols leave lasting impact.
Key Takeaway
Recognize and reflect on formative influences.
Themes
literature
identity
development
Mood
reflective
nostalgic
Type
analytical
personal.
When to use this quote
- school reading
- personal study
- creative writing
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
imitation
passion
taste formation
Questions to Reflect On
- Which early work still influences you?
- How do early preferences shape later choices?
A Different Perspective
Later tastes may never fully erase early impressions.