Able Quote by Randall Jarrell
“Robert Frost says in a piece of homely doggerel that he has hoped wisdom could be not only Attic but Laconic, Boeotian even - "at least not systematic"; but how systematically Frostian the worst of his later poems are! His good poems are the best refutation of, the most damning comment on, his bad: his Complete Poems have the air of being able to educate any faithful reader into tearing out a third of the pages, reading a third, and practically wearing out the rest.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: "The Bad and the Good of Robert Frost", 1950
Frost's later poems often feel overly systematic, while his best work resists that rigidity.
In simple terms: Good poems defy formula; bad ones feel forced.
Key Takeaway
Seek authenticity over structure.
Themes
literature criticism
poetry
form vs. content
authorial intent
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
critical
scholarly
When to use this quote
- academic seminars
- book clubs
- creative writing classes
Key Concepts
critical analysis
poetic form
literary taste
Questions to Reflect On
- Do you value spontaneity over technical mastery?
- How does formula impact emotional resonance?
A Different Perspective
Some readers may prefer structured verse.
![“Early in his life Mr. [Ezra] Pound met with strong, continued, and unintelligent opposition. If people keep opposing you when you are right, you think them fools; and after a time, right or wrong, you think them fools simply because they oppose you. Similarly, you write true things or good things…” quote by Randall Jarrell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/5a7/randall-jarrell-3811_ends_early-in-his-life-mr-ezra-pound-met-with_359433.jpg)
