“All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.”
- October 16, 1854 – November 30, 1900
- Irish
- Author, poet, playwright
- Written novels, plays, and poems such as “The Picture of Dorian Gray,” “The Importance of Being Earnest,” and “Salome,” he had a great influence on British literature in the late 19th century through his witty social criticism and humor.
Quote
“All bad poetry springs from genuine feeling.”
Explanation
In this quote, Oscar Wilde humorously critiques the relationship between genuine feeling and poetry. Wilde suggests that while authentic emotion is a key ingredient for poetry, it alone is not sufficient for creating good poetry. Instead, he implies that when genuine feeling is unrefined, uninformed, or expressed without skill, it can result in bad poetry—emotion that, while real or sincere, lacks the necessary craft, structure, and artistic form to resonate as powerful or meaningful art. Wilde’s comment plays on the idea that authenticity in expression, without the discipline and technical mastery of poetry, can often lead to clumsy or ineffective writing.
Wilde’s view on poetry reflects his broader aesthetic philosophy: beauty and artistry in poetry are not just about expressing raw emotion, but about transforming it into something more elevated and refined through technique, language, and form. For Wilde, the best poetry doesn’t just stem from genuine feelings, but from the artist’s ability to craft those feelings into something timeless and universal.
In modern contexts, this quote challenges us to consider the balance between authentic emotion and artistic craftsmanship. It reminds us that while genuine feeling is valuable, it is the poet’s skill in shaping and refining that emotion that turns it into great poetry. Wilde’s words also encourage writers to think about the importance of technique and form in their work, as well as the idea that raw emotion, while a foundation, needs to be honed into something greater to truly make an impact.
