Art Quote by Ezra Pound
““Another struggle has been the struggle to keep the value of a local and particular character, of a particular culture in this awful maelstrom, this awful avalanche toward uniformity. The whole fight is for the conservation of the individual soul. The enemy is the supression of history; against us is the bewildering propaganda and brainwash, luxury and violence. Sixty years ago, poetry was the poor man’s art: a man off on the edge of the wilderness, or Frémont, going off with a Greek text in his pocket. A man who wanted the best could have it on a lonely farm. Then there was the cinema, and now television.””
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Poets and the Culture”, 1934
The author laments cultural homogenization, urging preservation of unique local characters against mass media’s flattening force.
In simple terms: Protect unique culture from mass uniformity.
Key Takeaway
Value individuality over conformity.
Themes
culture
individuality
media
history
resistance
Mood
thoughtful
defiant
Type
essay
cultural critique
When to use this quote
- local festivals
- independent film projects
- community storytelling
- educational curricula
Key Concepts
cultural preservation
media influence
historical memory
Questions to Reflect On
- What actions can you take to support local culture?
- How does media shape your sense of identity?
A Different Perspective
Mass media can also spread diverse voices; resistance may be romanticized.
