--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I could hear music playing in the…" description: "\"I could hear music playing in the background of works by certain authors, like Poe and Shakespeare. And I discovered Nikki Giovanni when I was in eight..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/jill-scott-1737_backgrounds_i-could-hear-music-playing-in-the-backgr_2280174.png" --- # I could hear music playing in the background of works by… ![“I could hear music playing in the background of works by certain authors, like Poe and Shakespeare. And I discovered Nikki Giovanni when I was in eighth grade. Her writing has a musical energy with pulse and rhythm, almost like jazz or hip-hop.” quote by Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/jill-scott-1737_backgrounds_i-could-hear-music-playing-in-the-backgr_2280174.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/jill-scott-1737_backgrounds_i-could-hear-music-playing-in-the-backgr_2280174.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5f1/jill-scott-1737_backgrounds_i-could-hear-music-playing-in-the-backgr_2280174.png) > “I could hear music playing in the background of works by certain authors, like Poe and Shakespeare. And I discovered Nikki Giovanni when I was in eighth grade. Her writing has a musical energy with pulse and rhythm, almost like jazz or hip-hop.” [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. The author perceives a musical quality in the works of Poe, Shakespeare, and Nikki Giovanni, likening their rhythm to jazz or hip‑hop. **In simple terms:** Literature can feel like music, with rhythm and pulse. Key Takeaway Listen for rhythm in reading. Themes literature music rhythm influence genre Mood reflective appreciative Type analytical observational When to use this quote - reading poetry - studying drama - exploring jazz influences in writing - teaching literature with music Key Concepts aesthetic perception intertextuality cultural resonance Questions to Reflect On - How does music shape your interpretation of a story? - Which authors feel most rhythmic to you? A Different Perspective Not all readers hear music in text; personal experience varies. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Books](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/books/) [Eighth grade](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/eighth-grade/) [Energy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/energy/) [Hip hop](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/hip-hop/) [Jazz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/jazz/) [Music](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/music/) [Rhythm](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rhythm/) [Writing](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/writing/) ## Related quotes > [Nikki Giovanni! I got a book of hers from the library, and there was this woman who could paint me on paper with words…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/nikki-giovanni-i-got-a-book-of-hers-from-the-library-and-there-was/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [Everything starts with writing. I heard Nikki Giovanni and was blown away. 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I like the characters that I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/people-say-that-they-like-the-characters-that-they-believe-that-i-am/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [Singing and acting suit me. I made a vow to myself, to do everything that I can do with this life that I have,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/singing-and-acting-suit-me-i-made-a-vow-to-myself-to-do-everything/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [Ooh, if I gave you peaches outta my own garden and I made you a peach pie, would you slap me out? Wonder if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jill-scott/ooh-if-i-gave-you-peaches-outta-my-own-garden-and-i-made-you-a-peach/) [Jill Scott](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jill-scott/) > [I had to wear a fat suit to play Mma Ramotswe in 'The No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency.' 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