Good job Quote by Nicholson Baker
““There's something narcissistic in the phrase "collected poems." Who's collecting them? The poem. How hard is that? That's not a real collection. Now if he had made a collection of water fountains, or of oven mitts, that would be a collection. Or if he'd collected editions of Festus, the long mad poem written somewhere in the nineteenth century by a lost soul named Bailey--that would be an achievement. But collecting your own poems? What's so great about that? And mixing and mingling them in with some new? New and and Collected Poems? Oh, well! Good job. Nice going.””
About This Quote
The speaker critiques the notion of “collected poems,” questioning the validity of self‑collection versus tangible objects.
In simple terms: They doubt the value of compiling one's own poems.
Key Takeaway
Consider what truly constitutes a collection.
Themes
literature
self‑reflection
critique
Mood
skeptical
analytical
Type
critical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- literary criticism
- creative writing
- publishing decisions
- academic analysis
Key Concepts
ontology
authenticity
artistic value
Questions to Reflect On
- What makes a collection meaningful?
- How does intent shape the value of a work?
A Different Perspective
Might dismiss genuine artistic intent.
