Another world Quote by Claude Arnaud
““Having set its mark on the generation before Cocteau’s, symbolism expressed a form of inner dissidence confronting the narrow-minded materialism and utilitarian obsession of the industrial revolution, and hence a reaction to triumphant naturalism, in literature at least. Nourished by medieval, Renaissance, and Romantic art, symbolism, probably the last great backward-looking movement hatched in the West, had given rise to a desire to explore the secrets of the world and the confines of the soul. Beyond its androgynous Mercuries, its pale Narcissuses, and its Orpheuses borne by rosaries of angels, it gave rise to a whole misty alchemy wherein some found their way into esotericism and even into the religious, since the Universe was only the symbol of another world into which entrance was gained not only through poetry, spiritualism, dreams, and the Ideal, but also via the play of analogies and the study of ciphers.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: Symbolism in Literature, 1980
Symbolism emerged as a reaction against materialism, seeking deeper spiritual and mystical meanings through poetic and artistic analogies.
In simple terms: Symbolism looked beyond materialism to explore spiritual and artistic ideas.
Key Takeaway
Seek deeper meaning beyond surface reality.
Themes
art
spirituality
reactionary
symbolic
historical
Mood
thoughtful
introspective
Type
analytical
historical
When to use this quote
- literary analysis
- art criticism
- philosophical discussion
Key Concepts
mysticism
analogy
esotericism
Questions to Reflect On
- What modern movements echo symbolism’s goals?
- How can symbolism be made relatable today?
A Different Perspective
May be overly romanticized; can be inaccessible to general audiences.
![“[Winning the White House was an achievement], but as an African-American, [Barack Obama], I think the symbolism is in how he conducted himself. The symbolism was in - and this sounds really, really small, but it's actually big for African-Americans - the symbolism was not in being an…” quote by Ta-Nehisi Coates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5dc/ta-nehisi-coates-733_achievement_winning-the-white-house-was-an-achieveme_47651.jpg)
![“[The Utopia of Rules] should offer a challenge to us all. Should we just accept this bureaucracy as inevitable? Or is there a way to get rid of all those hours spent listening to bad call-centre music? Do policemen, academics, teachers and doctors really need to spend half their time filling in…” quote by Gillian Tett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/223/gillian-tett-57286_accepting_the-utopia-of-rules-should-offer-a-chall_39418.jpg)
