Susanna's music touched the bawdy strings Of those white elders; but, escaping, Left only Death's ironic scraping. Now, in its immortality, it plays On the clear viol of her memory, And makes a constant sacrament of praise.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- The music of Susanna survives beyond death, becoming a permanent act of praise in memory.
- In plain terms
- Her music lives on in memory as a timeless tribute.
- What can you take from it?
- Art can transcend death and remain meaningful forever.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Can art truly outlive death?
- What makes a memory permanent?
Another view
Memory fades over time, making true immortality uncertain.
More from Wallace Stevens
After the final no there comes a yes And on that yes the future world depends. No was the night. Yes is this present sun.
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Permalink to quote #31 One thing remaining, infallible, would be Enough.
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