Civilised society Quote by Mark Forsyth
““English teaching at school is, unfortunately, obsessed with what a poet thought, as though that were of any interest to anyone. Rather than being taught about how a poem is phrased, schoolchildren are asked to write essays on what William Blake thought about the Tiger; despite the fact that William Blake was a nutjob whose opinions, in a civilised society, would be of no interest to anybody apart from his parole officer. A poet is not somebody who has great thoughts. That is the menial duty of the philosopher. A poet is somebody who expresses his thoughts, however commonplace they may be, exquisitely. That is the one and only difference between the poet and everybody else. So””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Elements of Eloquence by Mark Forsyth, 2013
The quote criticizes how schools focus on poets' personal opinions rather than teaching poetic technique, arguing that poets express ordinary ideas beautifully, unlike philosophers who generate ideas.
In simple terms: Schools teach poet opinions, not technique; poets convey ordinary ideas artfully.
Key Takeaway
Teach poetic craft, not just poet biographies.
Themes
education
literature
pedagogy
Mood
critical
reflective
Type
analytical
educational
When to use this quote
- classroom curriculum
- literary analysis
- creative writing workshops
Key Concepts
expression
artistry
philosophy
Questions to Reflect On
- How can teachers balance poet context with technique?
- What benefits arise from focusing on expression over biography?
A Different Perspective
Overemphasis on author intent can stifle students' own creative expression.
![“Wouldst like to con a glimmer with me this early black?’, which he [Cab Calloway] helpfully explains as ‘the proper way to ask a young lady to go to the movies’. It should be noted here, that if the object of your affections replies ‘Kill me’, they are not requesting to be euthanatised and you…” quote by Mark Forsyth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/6c4/mark-forsyth-19782_cab-calloway_wouldst-like-to-con-a-glimmer-with-me-th_738657.jpg)
