2023-04-06 02:50:29 by ambuda-bot
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is obstruction only if it is circumscribed. A genius sets
its own limitations and other geniuses meet with no
obstructions within the same limitations. Volumes of
water flow through the same bed of the river season after
season until the entire course is changed on account of
some geological convulsions or through some other
causes. It is not right to say that the previous course of
the river was wrong. Similarly geniuses take different
courses in different ages and it is not right to set one
against the other or to try to arrange them in some
regular order of gradation. Each has to be judged by
his own standards.
In every form of art there must be some sort of
order and arrangement. Wherever there is order and
arrangement, it is possible to generalise, to formulate
certain rules and definitions. Art does not transcend
definitions and rules; it is flexible enough to bend to
those rules and forms without squeezing, without mutila-
tion. Just as every new volume of water in the suc-
cessive seasons slightly alters the bank without being
compelled to restrict its course within stone banks, and
at the same time without changing the course entirely,
geniuses also can adapt themselves to existing forms,
altering the form only to that extent which is absolutely
necessary for its freedom.
To say that the spirit of romantic poetry is the
freedom of genius to express itself in any form it likes,
is only to make a statement of something which is true
of the spirit of all poetry. There may be a difference
in form, but the spirit of 'freedom is inherent in all
is obstruction only if it is circumscribed. A genius sets
its own limitations and other geniuses meet with no
obstructions within the same limitations. Volumes of
water flow through the same bed of the river season after
season until the entire course is changed on account of
some geological convulsions or through some other
causes. It is not right to say that the previous course of
the river was wrong. Similarly geniuses take different
courses in different ages and it is not right to set one
against the other or to try to arrange them in some
regular order of gradation. Each has to be judged by
his own standards.
In every form of art there must be some sort of
order and arrangement. Wherever there is order and
arrangement, it is possible to generalise, to formulate
certain rules and definitions. Art does not transcend
definitions and rules; it is flexible enough to bend to
those rules and forms without squeezing, without mutila-
tion. Just as every new volume of water in the suc-
cessive seasons slightly alters the bank without being
compelled to restrict its course within stone banks, and
at the same time without changing the course entirely,
geniuses also can adapt themselves to existing forms,
altering the form only to that extent which is absolutely
necessary for its freedom.
To say that the spirit of romantic poetry is the
freedom of genius to express itself in any form it likes,
is only to make a statement of something which is true
of the spirit of all poetry. There may be a difference
in form, but the spirit of 'freedom is inherent in all