Poem Quote by Allen Tate
“What is the poem, after it is written? That is the question. Not where it came from or why.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The Poem and Its Afterlife, Allen Tate, 1962
The value of a poem lies in its existence, not its origin or intent.
In simple terms: A poem’s worth is in its being, not its backstory.
Key Takeaway
Focus on the poem itself.
Themes
art
creation
meaning
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- reading groups
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
Key Concepts
existence
interpretation
literary value
Questions to Reflect On
- What does a poem mean to you personally?
- How does knowing the author affect your perception?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring context can limit deeper understanding.
![“I did a film recently in the Republic of Georgia [upcoming 'Halo of Stars'] which was based on a long poem written by the director. We found that all these words were beautiful as a poem, but for humans it was more about the emotion or a look than just saying what was there.” quote by Lily Collins](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/e67/lily-collins-1760_beautiful_i-did-a-film-recently-in-the-republic-of_119700.jpg)
