Cents Quote by John Crowe Ransom
“Till now poets were privileged to insert a certain proportion of nonsense - very far in excess of one-half of one per cent - into their otherwise sober documents.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary criticism, 1930s
Ransom notes that poets historically allowed a small amount of nonsense in serious works.
In simple terms: Poets include occasional absurdity.
Key Takeaway
Embrace measured playfulness.
Themes
literature
creativity
tradition
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
literary
critical
When to use this quote
- Poetry workshops
- academic analysis
- creative writing
Key Concepts
formalism
poetic license
Questions to Reflect On
- How much absurdity enriches a poem?
- Where is the line between play and nonsense?
A Different Perspective
Too much nonsense can undermine credibility.
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