Growth Quote by John Burroughs
“More than any other poet, Whitman is what we make him; more than any other poet, his greatest value is in what he suggests and implies rather than in what he portrays, and more than any other poet must he wait to be understood by the growth of the taste of himself.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Poet and the Reader", 1905
Whitman's significance lies in how readers interpret and expand his work, not just in his own portrayal.
In simple terms: Readers shape a poet's meaning.
Key Takeaway
Value personal interpretation of poetry.
Themes
interpretation
literature
subjectivity
Mood
contemplative
analytical
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- Literary criticism
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
reader response
authorial intent
Questions to Reflect On
- How does your own experience influence reading poetry?
- Can a poet control how others perceive their work?
A Different Perspective
Interpretation can diverge from author intent.
