Book Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Many readers judge of the power of a book by the shock it gives their feelings - as some savage tribes determine the power of muskets by their recoil; that being considered best which fairly prostrates the purchaser.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: “The Power of a Book,” 1850
Readers judge a book’s power by emotional shock, similar to how tribes gauge muskets by recoil.
In simple terms: Books are judged by emotional impact.
Key Takeaway
Consider emotional response when evaluating literature.
Themes
literature
emotion
evaluation
Mood
thoughtful
analytical
Type
critical
reflective
When to use this quote
- book clubs
- literary criticism
- personal reading logs
Key Concepts
shock value
subjective judgment
Questions to Reflect On
- How does emotional impact shape your reading choices?
- What other criteria matter in judging a book?
A Different Perspective
Emotional shock may not reflect lasting value.
![“[F]or women, like tradesmen, draw in the injudicious to buy their goods by the high value they themselves set upon them… They endeavor strongly to fix in the minds of their enamoratos their own high value, and then contrive as much as possible to make them believe that they have so many purchasers…” quote by Sarah Fielding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/735/sarah-fielding-19151_believe_f-or-women-like-tradesmen-draw-in-the-in_987498.jpg)
