Poetry is the most subtle of the literary arts, and students grow more ingenious by the year at avoiding it. If they can nip around Milton, duck under Blake and collapse gratefully into the arms of Jane Austen, a lot of them will.

Summary

This quote emphasizes the elusive nature of poetry and how, over time, students have become adept at avoiding studying it. By likening poetry to a subtle form of art, it implies that many students find it difficult to comprehend or appreciate. The mention of notable poets like Milton and Blake implies their complexity, further deterring students. Instead, students tend to gravitate towards the more accessible works of authors like Jane Austen. Thus, the quote suggests that poetry is often overlooked and students prefer literature that is more comprehensible and relatable.

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