Analysis Quote by Wallace Stevens
“It is the imagination pressing back against the pressure of reality. It seems, in the last analysis, to have something to do with our self-preservation; and that, no doubt, is why the expression of it, the sound of its words, helps us to live our lives.”
About This Quote
Source Poem: "The Idea of Order at Key" (1935)
Imagination pushes back against reality, preserving self‑identity; expressing it sustains life.
In simple terms: Imagination protects us, expressing it keeps us alive.
Nurture imagination to survive reality.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- writing
- problem solving
- coping with stress
- creative work
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- What reality does your imagination challenge?
- How does creative expression aid survival?
Over‑reliance on imagination may ignore practical constraints.