Hard Quote by Lionel Trilling
“In the American Metaphysical, reality is always material reality, hard, resistant, unformed, impenetrable, and unpleasant.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: “The Metaphysical in American Literature,” 1950
Reality is fundamentally material and often harsh, resisting easy understanding.
In simple terms: The world is material, tough, and hard to grasp.
Key Takeaway
Accept material reality’s difficulty.
Themes
materialism
reality
hardship
Mood
analytical
somber
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- academic study
- personal coping
- policy making
- artistic creation
Key Concepts
philosophy
literary criticism
existentialism
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you reconcile material hardship with meaning?
- What role does imagination play in confronting reality?
A Different Perspective
Ignoring emotional aspects can lead to nihilism.
