The President ordains the bee to be Immortal. The President ordains.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Political authority claims power over nature and immortality through simple declaration.
- In plain terms
- A leader declares a bee immortal and that is it.
- What can you take from it?
- Authority tries to control reality by declaring it.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can words make things real?
- How does authority claim power?
Another view
It ignores that authority cannot change biological reality.
More from Wallace Stevens
The bees came booming as if they had never gone, As if hyacinths had never gone. We say This changes and that changes. Thus the constant Violets, doves, girls,…
Permalink to quote #123 The President has apples on the table And barefoot servants round him, who adjust The curtains to a metaphysical 't'
Permalink to quote #125 The old seraph, parcel-gilded, among violets Inhaled the appointed odor, while the doves Rose up like phantoms from chronologies.
Permalink to quote #122
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