--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: It is the imagination pressing back…" description: "\"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..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/wallace-stevens-846_analysis_it-is-the-imagination-pressing-back-agai_3031033.jpg" --- # It is the imagination pressing back against the pressure… ![“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.” quote by Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/wallace-stevens-846_analysis_it-is-the-imagination-pressing-back-agai_3031033.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/wallace-stevens-846_analysis_it-is-the-imagination-pressing-back-agai_3031033.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/c37/wallace-stevens-846_analysis_it-is-the-imagination-pressing-back-agai_3031033.jpg) > “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.” [Wallace Stevens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stevens/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Imagination pushes back against reality, preserving self‑identity; expressing it sustains life. **In simple terms:** Imagination protects us, expressing it keeps us alive. Key Takeaway Nurture imagination to survive reality. Themes creativity self‑preservation reality imagination Mood inspirational thoughtful poetic Type philosophical literary When to use this quote - writing - problem solving - coping with stress - creative work Key Concepts existentialism psychology artistic expression Questions to Reflect On - What reality does your imagination challenge? - How does creative expression aid survival? A Different Perspective Over‑reliance on imagination may ignore practical constraints. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Analysis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis/) [Analysis Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/analysis-self-732386/) [Doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/doubt/) [Expression](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/expression/) [Helping](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/helping/) [Imagination](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/imagination/) [Lasts](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/lasts/) [No doubt](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/no-doubt/) [Our lives](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/our-lives/) [Preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/preservation/) [Pressure](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure/) [Pressure Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/pressure-reality-3046698/) [Reality](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/reality/) [Seems](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/seems/) [Self](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self/) [Self preservation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/self-preservation/) [Sound](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sound/) ## Related quotes > [Any creative process comes with a level of self-analysis and self-criticism. 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