Cases Quote by James Arthur
“In my case, performance is part of the medium. Sometimes I feel that it's my main medium, and that the presentation of my poems on the page is secondary.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Poetry and Performance, 2015
For some poets, delivering poems aloud is the primary artistic medium, with written text being secondary.
In simple terms: Performance can be a poet’s main expression.
Key Takeaway
Embrace both spoken and written forms for fuller impact.
Themes
art
expression
performance
medium
Mood
contemplative
inspired
Type
performative
literary
When to use this quote
- live readings
- poetry slams
- audio recordings
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
orality
embodiment
audience engagement
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your audience react to spoken versus written poems?
- Can performance enhance the meaning of a poem?
A Different Perspective
The quote may downplay the importance of the written word for many poets.
![“Mac [Barnett] and I prank each other during our presentation. We show baby pictures of each other looking completely ridiculous. I can't believe the frilly shirt that I'm in, and Mac's wearing a sailor suit and playing a toy piano. That's a perfect example of a good prank, where we have three…” quote by Jory John](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/afb/jory-john-60334_assembly_mac-barnett-and-i-prank-each-other-durin_50495.jpg)
![“[As in the case of] alcohol prohibition, illegality has driven organized crime, sent countless people to jail, and killed many thousands. Repression does not work.” quote by Sam Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/212/sam-branson-36458_alcohol_as-in-the-case-of-alcohol-prohibition-il_8703.jpg)
