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Books Quote by Jorge Luis Borges

“The taste of the apple ... lies in the contact of the fruit with the palate, not in the fruit itself; in a similar way ... poetry lies in the meeting of poem and reader, not in the lines of symbols printed on the pages of a book. What is essential is the aesthetic act, the thrill, the almost…” quote by Jorge Luis Borges
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““The taste of the apple ... lies in the contact of the fruit with the palate, not in the fruit itself; in a similar way ... poetry lies in the meeting of poem and reader, not in the lines of symbols printed on the pages of a book. What is essential is the aesthetic act, the thrill, the almost physical emotion that comes with each reading.””

Jorge Luis Borges

About This Quote

Source Essay: "The Art of Poetry" by Jorge Luis Borges, 1975

Poetry's power comes from the reader's experience, not just the words on the page.

In simple terms: Poetry lives in the reader's feeling, not the text.

Key Takeaway

Focus on how readers engage with poetry.

Themes

aesthetics experience reading

Mood

reflective introspective

Type

literary philosophical

When to use this quote

  • Literary analysis
  • creative writing workshops
  • book clubs
  • educational curricula

Key Concepts

Phenomenology subjectivity embodiment

Questions to Reflect On

  • How does your personal mood change your reading of a poem?
  • What sensations does a poem evoke for you?
A Different Perspective

If the reader is distracted, the aesthetic impact fades.

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