--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: There is a long-standing tradition in…" description: "\"There is a long-standing tradition in America of scoffing at poets, especially if they show any interest in politics.\" — Eugene McCarthy" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/eugene-mccarthy-16990_america_there-is-a-long-standing-tradition-in-am_2352772.jpg" --- # There is a long-standing tradition in America of scoffing… ![“There is a long-standing tradition in America of scoffing at poets, especially if they show any interest in politics.” quote by Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/eugene-mccarthy-16990_america_there-is-a-long-standing-tradition-in-am_2352772.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/eugene-mccarthy-16990_america_there-is-a-long-standing-tradition-in-am_2352772.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a72/eugene-mccarthy-16990_america_there-is-a-long-standing-tradition-in-am_2352772.jpg) > “There is a long-standing tradition in America of scoffing at poets, especially if they show any interest in politics.” [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. American culture often dismisses poets, especially when they engage politically, reflecting a broader undervaluing of artistic voices. **In simple terms:** Poets, especially political ones, are often mocked in America. Key Takeaway Recognize and respect poetic political commentary. Themes culture art politics skepticism freedom of expression Mood critical analytical concerned Type philosophical political inspirational When to use this quote - education curricula - media coverage - public debates - artistic activism - literary criticism Key Concepts sociology literature political theory media studies public discourse Questions to Reflect On - Why are poets marginalized when political? - How can society better value artistic political voices? A Different Perspective Some audiences may resist political poetry; backlash can occur. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [America](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/america/) [Interest](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/interest/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Politics](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/politics/) [Scoffing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/scoffing/) [Tradition](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tradition/) ## Related quotes > [What is the point in calling anything God if it does not also hold sway in every part of one's life--especially one's politics?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shane-claiborne/what-is-the-point-in-calling-anything-god-if-it-does-not-also-hold/) [Shane Claiborne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shane-claiborne/) > [In the United States especially, politics and economics don’t mix well. 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I am not scoffing at goodness, which is far more difficult to explain than evil, and far more complicated. But sometimes…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/don-t-misunderstand-me-i-am-not-scoffing-at-goodness-which-is-far/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [Bearing sham and scoffing rude, in my place condemned He stood - Sealed my pardon with His blood: Hallelujah, what a Savior!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/philip-bliss/bearing-sham-and-scoffing-rude-in-my-place-condemned-he-stood-sealed/) Philip Bliss > [There is nothing more distressing ... than the hard, scoffing spirit which treats the allegation of dishonesty in a public man as a cause…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/theodore-roosevelt/there-is-nothing-more-distressing-than-the-hard-scoffing-spirit-which/) [Theodore Roosevelt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/theodore-roosevelt/) > [Your sweet spot is in between the true believers and the scoffing skeptics…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rob-brezsny/your-sweet-spot-is-in-between-the-true-believers-and-the-scoffing/) [Rob Brezsny](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rob-brezsny/) ## More by Eugene McCarthy > [I'm kind of an accidental instrument, really, through which I hope that the judgment and the will of this nation can be expressed.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/i-m-kind-of-an-accidental-instrument-really-through-which-i-hope-that/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [Whatever is morally necessary must be made politically possible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/whatever-is-morally-necessary-must-be-made-politically-possible/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [Let us pick up again these lost strands and weave them again into the fabric of America, sort out the music from the sounds…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/let-us-pick-up-again-these-lost-strands-and-weave-them-again-into-the/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [Broken things are powerful."Things about to break are stronger still.The last shot from the brittle bow is truest.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/broken-things-are-powerful-things-about-to-break-are-stronger-still/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [Have you ever tried to split sawdust?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/have-you-ever-tried-to-split-sawdust/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [In politics one may remain aloof and become irrelevant or get involved and get corrupted.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/in-politics-one-may-remain-aloof-and-become-irrelevant-or-get/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [We do not need presidents who are bigger than the country, but rather ones who speak for it and support it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eugene-mccarthy/we-do-not-need-presidents-who-are-bigger-than-the-country-but-rather/) [Eugene McCarthy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eugene-mccarthy/) > [The polls show that 10 percent of the public are ready to vote for me even though they don't know I'm running. 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