Ambition Quote by William H. Gass
“In general, I would think that at present prose writers are much in advance of the poets. In the old days, I read more poetry than prose, but now it is in prose where you find things being put together well, where there is great ambition, and equal talent. Poets have gotten so careless, it is a disgrace. You can’t pick up a page. All the words slide off.”
About This Quote
Source Essay: The New Yorker, 1970s, null
Prose has overtaken poetry in craftsmanship, ambition, and talent, while contemporary poetry is seen as careless and unreadable.
In simple terms: Prose is now better crafted than poetry.
Key Takeaway
Focus on honing poetic craft.
Themes
literature
craftsmanship
artistic standards
Mood
critical
contemplative
Type
analytical
commentary
When to use this quote
- creative writing workshops
- literary criticism
- publishing decisions
- educational curricula
- personal reading habits
Key Concepts
modernism
creative decline
reader expectations
Questions to Reflect On
- How can poets revive technical skill without losing authenticity?
- What does this shift say about cultural tastes?
A Different Perspective
Some argue poetry's value lies in emotional resonance rather than technical perfection.
