Conrad Aiken’s words apply to artist and poet equally:
I see the poet as advancing consciousness and conscience and genius of mankind, the forerunner, firebringer, orderer and releaser; the one who by finding the words for life makes life possible and coherent, and puts it within the reach of all. The scientist and philosopher and mathematician do not make whole statements, because they leave out the feelings; it is only the poet who, by adding the feelings, or rather by transmuting his knowledge through the feelings, makes, at each stage of man’s development, the whole statement; he always has the last word, because it is always the first –- the poet was and is the one who invents language. Which is tantamount to inventing experience or awareness.
(Quoted from page 114 of Thornton Wilder: New Essays. Locust Hill Literary Studies, No. 26, 1999.)
For a brief biography of Conrad Aiken, click here. For images of or relating to Conrad Aiken, click here.
For a brief biography of Thornton Wilder, click here. For images of or relating to Thornton Wilder, click here.
I see the poet as advancing consciousness and conscience and genius of mankind, the forerunner, firebringer, orderer and releaser; the one who by finding the words for life makes life possible and coherent, and puts it within the reach of all. The scientist and philosopher and mathematician do not make whole statements, because they leave out the feelings; it is only the poet who, by adding the feelings, or rather by transmuting his knowledge through the feelings, makes, at each stage of man’s development, the whole statement; he always has the last word, because it is always the first –- the poet was and is the one who invents language. Which is tantamount to inventing experience or awareness.
(Quoted from page 114 of Thornton Wilder: New Essays. Locust Hill Literary Studies, No. 26, 1999.)
For a brief biography of Conrad Aiken, click here. For images of or relating to Conrad Aiken, click here.
For a brief biography of Thornton Wilder, click here. For images of or relating to Thornton Wilder, click here.
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