It is undeniable that the exercise of a creative
power, that of a free creative activity, is the
true function of man; it is proved to be so by
man's finding in it his true happiness
-Matthew Arnold, "The Function of Criticism"
"For all good poets...compose their lyrics not by art, but because they are
inspired and possessed." -Plato, Ion
"During the hour of perusal the soul of the reader
is at the writer's control...And by such means,
with such care and skill, a picture is at length
painted which leaves in the mind of him who
contemplates it with a kindred art, a sense
of the fullest satisfaction."
-Edgar Allen Poe, upon review of Twice-Told Tales
"...a writer should seize upon small details, arranging
them so that the reader will see an image in his mind
after he closes his eye."
-Anton Chekhov, in a letter to his brother
"We need to know the writing of the past,
and know it differently than we have ever
known it; not to pass on a tradition but
to break its hold over us."
-Adrienne Rich, "When We Dead Awaken..."
Imagination creates an image, point by point, piece by piece, segment by segment-into a whole, living."
-William Carlos Williams, "Speech Rhythm"
I believe that man will not only endure; he will prevail.
He is immortal, not because he is alone among creatures
has an inexhaustible voice, but because he has a soul, a
spirit capable of compassion and sacrifice and endurance.
The poet's, the writer's, duty is to write about these things.
It is his privilege to help man by lifting his heart, by
reminding him of the courage and honor and hope and
pride and compassion and pity and sacrifice which have
been the glory of his past. The poet's voice need not merely
be the record of man, it can be one of the props, the pillars to
help him endure and prevail.
-William Faulkner, in his acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize for Literature