American citizenship Quote by T.S. Mathews
“Pound was silly, bumptious, extravagantly generous, annoying, exhibitionistic; Eliot was sensible, cautious, retiring, soothing, shy. Though Pound wrote some brilliant passages, on the whole he was a failure as a poet (sometimes even in his own estimation); Eliot went from success to success and is still quoted--and misquoted--by thousands of people who have never read him. Both men were expatriates by choice, but Eliot renounced his American citizenship and did his best to become assimilated with his fellow British subjects, while Pound always remained an American in exile.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: Literary Critique, 1970s
The author contrasts Pound and Eliot, noting Pound's flamboyance and perceived failure versus Eliot's cautious success, while also mentioning their expatriate choices.
In simple terms: Pound was flamboyant but seen as a failure; Eliot was cautious and successful.
Key Takeaway
Consider both style and success in evaluating poets.
Themes
literary criticism
contrast
expatriate experience
poetic legacy
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
critical
comparative
When to use this quote
- academic study
- poetry workshops
- literary discussions
Key Concepts
Eliot's assimilation
Pound's exile
creative temperament
Questions to Reflect On
- How do personal biases affect literary judgment?
- What role does cultural identity play in artistic success?
A Different Perspective
The assessment may oversimplify each poet's complex contributions.
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