--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: ... the attempt to control poetry, to…" description: "\"... the attempt to control poetry, to subordinate it to extrapoetic ends, constitutes misuse… it may be poetry's stubborn quality of rockbottom, intrin..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/jan-clausen-59974_ends_the-attempt-to-control-poetry-to-subordi_1501497.jpg" --- # ... the attempt to control poetry, to subordinate it to… ![“... the attempt to control poetry, to subordinate it to extrapoetic ends, constitutes misuse… it may be poetry's stubborn quality of rockbottom, intrinsic uselessness whichconstitutes the guarantee of its integrity, and hence of its ultimate value to us.” quote by Jan Clausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/jan-clausen-59974_ends_the-attempt-to-control-poetry-to-subordi_1501497.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/jan-clausen-59974_ends_the-attempt-to-control-poetry-to-subordi_1501497.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/482/jan-clausen-59974_ends_the-attempt-to-control-poetry-to-subordi_1501497.jpg) > “... the attempt to control poetry, to subordinate it to extrapoetic ends, constitutes misuse… it may be poetry's stubborn quality of rockbottom, intrinsic uselessness whichconstitutes the guarantee of its integrity, and hence of its ultimate value to us.” [Jan Clausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-clausen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Poetry must remain free from external agendas; its inherent uselessness protects its authenticity and value. **In simple terms:** Poetry’s uselessness keeps it true. Key Takeaway Protect poetry’s autonomy. Themes art authenticity integrity Mood reflective critical Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - creative writing - literary criticism - teaching poetry - personal reflection Key Concepts existentialism aesthetics Questions to Reflect On - How can we honor poetry’s resistance? - What value does “uselessness” bring? A Different Perspective If poetry is forced to serve a purpose, it may lose its power. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Feminism](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/feminism/) [Integrity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/integrity/) [Poet](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poet/) [Poetry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/poetry/) [Quality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/quality/) [Uselessness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/uselessness/) [Values](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/values/) ## Related quotes > [the attempt to control poetry, to subordinate it to extra-poetic ends, constitutes misuse.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jan-clausen/the-attempt-to-control-poetry-to-subordinate-it-to-extra-poetic-ends/) [Jan Clausen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jan-clausen/) > [I consider poetry very subordinate to moral and political science.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/percy-bysshe-shelley/i-consider-poetry-very-subordinate-to-moral-and-political-science/) [Percy Bysshe Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/percy-bysshe-shelley/) > [It is useless to close the gates against ideas; they overlap them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/klemens-von-metternich/it-is-useless-to-close-the-gates-against-ideas-they-overlap-them/) [Klemens von Metternich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/klemens-von-metternich/) > [We are all human beings, immigrant or non-immigrant. 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