Bears Quote by Thomas B. Macaulay
“Re: Robert Montgomery's Poems His writing bears the same relation to poetry which a Turkey carpet bears to a picture. There are colours in the Turkey carpet out of which a picture might be made. There are words in Mr. Montgomery's writing which, when disposed in certain orders and combinations,have made, and will make again, good poetry. But, as they now stand, they seem to be put together on principle in such a manner as to give no image of anything in the heavens above, or in the earth beneath, or in the waters under the earth.”
About This Quote
He likens Montgomery’s prose to a carpet of colors that, while rich, fails to form a coherent image or meaning, suggesting the poetry lacks clear visual or thematic focus.
In simple terms: Writing is colorful but lacks clear imagery.
Key Takeaway
Rich language must convey a discernible picture.
Themes
poetry criticism
imagery
literary analysis
aesthetics
Mood
analytical
critical
Type
critical
literary
When to use this quote
- literary workshops
- editorial reviews
- creative writing courses
Key Concepts
symbolic coherence
visual metaphor
Practical Applications
- guided imagery exercises
- structured poetic forms
Questions to Reflect On
- What role does visual clarity play in poetry?
- Can a poem succeed without a concrete image?
A Different Perspective
Abstract poetry can intentionally avoid literal images to evoke emotion.
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