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James Merrill

James Merrill Quotes

Poet

James Merrill was an American poet known for his unique style and rich imagination. His works blended classical and modern elements, exploring themes such as love, nature, and mythology. Born on March 3, 1926, Merrill passed away on February 6, 1995.

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All Play Thinking Voice Access Affection Air Arthur Astonishing Book Breaking Someone

Famous James Merrill Quotes

“At college I'd seen my dead frog's limbs twitch under some applied stimulus or other - seen, but hadn't believed. Didn't dream of thinking beyond or around what I saw.”

Thinking Dream Saws College Limbs Stimulus Frogs

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“Class is classlessness.”

Author:James Merrill

“The day is breaking someone else's heart.”

Heart Breaking Someone

Book:From the First Nine: Poems, 1946-1976

Source: From the First Nine: Poems, 1946-1976

“In life, there are no perfect affections.”

Life Perfect Inspire Affection

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“But those two plays left me on fresh terms with language. I didn't always have to speak in my own voice.”

Two Play Left Speak Language Voice Term My Own Air

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“And, as I have said, it's made me think twice about the imagination. If the spirits aren't external, how astonishing the mediums become! Victor Hugo said of his voices that they were like his own mental powers multiplied by five.”

Ifs Thinking Made Said Spirit Voice Imagination Five Mediums Astonishing Think Twice Mental Power

Author:James Merrill

“Strange about parents. We have such easy access to them and such daunting problems of communication.”

Problem Easy Parent Strange Communication Access Easy Access

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“Arthur Young's Reflexive Universe - fascinating but too schematic to fit into my scheme. The most I could hope for was a sense of the vocabulary and some possible images.”

Young Universe Fit Fascinating Schemes Vocabulary Arthur

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“The simplest science book is over my head.”

Book Simplest Science Books

Book:Collected Prose

Source: Collected Prose

“Before trying a novel I wrote a couple of plays.”

Trying Play Novel Couple

Author:James Merrill

About the Author

Born: March 3, 1926
Died: February 6, 1995
Known for: Poet
Quotes: 10

Related Topics

Play Thinking Voice Access Affection Air Arthur Astonishing Book Breaking Someone

Popular Topics

People Ifs Thinking Knows Men World Way Want Love Life Inspirational Needs Giving Feels Should Writing Trying Years Mind Firsts

Books & Sources

Collected ProseRelated source material

From the First Nine: Poems, 1946-1976Related source material

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