What this country needs is a great poem. John Brown's Body was a step in the right direction. I've read it once, and I'm reading it again. But it's too long to do what I mean. You can't thrill people in 300 pages... The limit is about 300 words. Kipling's 'Recessional' really did something to England when it was published. It helped them through a bad time. Let me know if you find any great poems lying around.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Hoover expresses a desire for short, impactful poetry to help people through hard times.
- In plain terms
- He wants short poems that can move people quickly.
- What can you take from it?
- Shorter art is often more effective than long works.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes poetry effective?
- Should art be concise?
Another view
He dismisses long-form art which can have deep value.
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