Decided Quote by Gene Weingarten
“Ever since roughly 1890, when snot poets first decided that rhyme was confining and unnecessary, every idiot with a pen fancied hisself a poet. The mere act of rhyming was suddenly regarded as a quaint, mannered, and uncool atavism, consigning doggerelists like me to the trash bin of literary history.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, “The Poetry of the Unruly”, 1995
The quote satirizes how modern poets reject rhyme, labeling traditional verse as outdated while claiming poetic legitimacy without skill.
In simple terms: Modern poets dismiss rhyme as old-fashioned while still calling themselves poets.
Key Takeaway
Question the value of form versus authenticity.
Themes
satire
literary criticism
humor
Mood
playful
ironic
critical
Type
satirical
commentary
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
- self‑assessment
- teaching poetry
- publishing
Key Concepts
modernism
authenticity
form vs content
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value form in art?
- How does rebellion affect quality?
A Different Perspective
Rhyme can still be a powerful tool when used intentionally.
