Brave Quote by Tracy K. Smith
“When I first became brave enough to tell people that I wrote poems, so many people would rave to me about Edna St. Vincent Millay's work. I was embarrassed not to have read her, and I think that put me off from reading her for a long time. So many of her poems are just impeccable.”
About This Quote
The speaker feels embarrassed for not having read a celebrated poet before, which discouraged further engagement, despite recognizing the poet’s excellence.
In simple terms: She was shy about not knowing a famous poet, which stopped her from reading more.
Key Takeaway
Overcome embarrassment to explore admired works.
Themes
self‑doubt
literary admiration
learning barriers
confidence
Mood
introspective
motivational
Type
inspirational
educational
When to use this quote
- creative writing
- literary studies
- book clubs
- self‑education
Key Concepts
authorial influence
literary canon
personal growth
Questions to Reflect On
- What steps can you take to confront literary gaps?
- How does admiration affect your willingness to learn?
A Different Perspective
Embarrassment can hinder appreciation of great literature.
