Quote by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
No literature is complete until the language it was written in is dead.
Summary
This quote suggests that literature can only be truly appreciated and understood when the language in which it was written ceases to be spoken or understood by the majority. It implies that the passage of time and distance from the original language allows for a deeper examination and interpretation of a literary work. By asserting that the language must be "dead," it emphasizes the idea that comprehension relies on separating the text from the limitations and influences of contemporary language, culture, and biases.
Topics
Language
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