The universe is made of stories, not of atoms.
Muriel RukeyserRead
In our period, they say there is free speech. They say there is no penalty for poets, There is no penalty for writing poems. They say this. This is the penalty.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the paradox of free speech in society, particularly for poets and writers who often face societal repercussions despite the assertion of freedom.
Muriel Rukeyser's quote addresses the concept of free speech in an ironic manner, suggesting that while society professes to uphold the freedom for poets and writers to express themselves without fear of punishment, the reality is that expressing certain truths or emotions can lead to significant consequences. The statement serves as a somber reminder that the freedom to create art and poetry often comes with inherent risks, reflecting the tensions between creative expression and societal norms.
Themes
Free SpeechPoetryExpressionSocietyConsequences
In practice
Example use cases
Use this quote in a speech about the importance of artistic expression in a democratic society.
More from Muriel Rukeyser
All quotes →A work of art is one through which the consciousness of the artist is able to give its emotions to anyone who is prepared to receive them.
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Nourish beginnings, let us nourish beginnings. Not all things are blest, but the seeds of all things are blest. The blessing is in the seed.
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The town of Gauley Bridge stands as a pattern for all those places where people are linked even in the middle of their suffering, where people fight against an evil condition so that other people need not go through the same fight.
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Always our wars have been our confessions of weakness
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A work of art is one through which the consciousness of the artist is able to give its emotions to anyone who is prepared to receive them. There is no such thing as bad art.
Muriel RukeyserRead
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