England Quote by E. M. Forster
““Why has not England a great mythology? Our folklore has never advanced beyond daintiness, and the greater melodies about our country-side have all issued through the pipes of Greece. Deep and true as the native imagination can be, it seems to have failed here. It has stopped with the witches and the fairies. It cannot vivify one fraction of a summer field, or give names to half a dozen stars. England still waits for the supreme moment of her literature—for the great poet who shall voice her, or, better still for the thousand little poets whose voices shall pass into our common talk.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The English Novel” (1932)
The author laments England’s lack of a rich, original mythology, relying on borrowed Greek motifs and limited folklore, and calls for a new generation of poets to create a distinct literary voice.
In simple terms: England lacks its own deep mythic tradition and needs new poets.
Key Takeaway
Encourage diverse writers to craft uniquely English myths.
Themes
literature
mythology
national identity
creativity
culture
Mood
reflective
hopeful
Type
analytical
inspirational
When to use this quote
- school curricula
- creative writing workshops
- public arts funding
- literary festivals
Key Concepts
cultural imagination
literary innovation
heritage
Questions to Reflect On
- How can contemporary writers draw from local folklore?
- What role should education play in fostering national myths?
A Different Perspective
England’s mythic tradition is historically limited, making change slow.
![“Next came the Patent laws. These began in England in 1624; and, in this country, with the adoption of our constitution. Before then [these?], any man might instantly use what another had invented; so that the inventor had no special advantage from his own invention. The patent system changed this…” quote by Abraham Lincoln](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/449/abraham-lincoln-88_adoption_next-came-the-patent-laws-these-began-in_1828.jpg)
