If to serenade almost to man Is to miss, by that, things as they are, Say that it is the serenade Of a man that plays a blue guitar.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Attempting to serenade a man is to miss reality, calling it a blue‑guitar serenade.
- In plain terms
- Serenading a man misses the truth, like a blue‑guitar song.
- What can you take from it?
- Beware of romanticizing reality; it can obscure truth.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When does romanticism become denial?
- How can art reveal truth?
Another view
Metaphor may enrich rather than obscure meaning.
More from Wallace Stevens
The man bent over his guitar, A shearsman of sorts. The day was green. They said, 'You have a blue guitar, You do not play things as they are.' The man replied…
Permalink to quote #62 So that's life, then: things are they are? It picks its way on the blue guitar. A million people on one string? And all their manner in the thing, And all thei…
Permalink to quote #64 The sun, that brave man, Comes through boughs that lie in wait, That brave man. Green and gloomy eyes In dark forms of the grass Run away. The good stars, Pale…
Permalink to quote #61
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