we survive in exact relationship to the dedication of our poets

[kiranlegend]

Hi,

I am reading a novel, and came across the following lines. Could you please help me with understanding of the underlined line?

If we were a people much given to revealing secrets, we might raise monuments and sacrifice to the memories of our poets, but slavery cured us of that weakness. It may be enough, however, to have it said that we survive in exact relationship to the dedication of our poets (include preachers, musicians and blues singers).


Regards,

Kiran

 

[Raymott]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

You have the advantage of knowing the title of the novel, and the author. Could you share that with us?

 

[kiranlegend]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

Yes. The name of the book is "I know why the caged bird sings." The author's name is Maya Angelou.

Regarding my question: My understanding of the line is by not being in the position of displaying the affection towards their poets, it is limited to inner acknowledgement to the poets' work. Did I get it right?

 

[Raymott]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

I'm not sure; it's a tough line. I think it means that a people (a race) survives to the extent that their poets, etc. are productive (dedicated).
Alternatively, it might have something to do with the people being dedicated to their poets, etc.

 

[Rover_KE]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

Please note that I have changed your thread title.



'Thread titles should include all or part of the word/phrase being discussed.'

 

[emsr2d2]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

Yes. The name of the book is "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings." The author's name is Maya Angelou.

Remember to capitalise the first letter of each word in titles, with the exception of some small words like "of", "a", "an" and, in this case, "the". Of course, if any of those words is the first word of the title, it must also be capitalised.

 

[Tdol]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

I'm not sure; it's a tough line. I think it means that a people (a race) survives to the extent that their poets, etc. are productive (dedicated).
Alternatively, it might have something to do with the people being dedicated to their poets, etc.

The paragraph before suggests to me that it is the former:

Oh, Black known and unknown poets, how often have your auctioned pains sustained us? Who will compute the lonely nights made less lonely by your songs, or by the empty pots made less tragic by your tales?

http://genius.com/Maya-angelou-i-know-why-the-caged-bird-sings-chapter-23-annotated

 

[Raymott]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

Yes, it's amazing what a little research can do. I must have had enough of my own to do at the time.

 

[Tdol]

Re: Meaning of a sentence from a novel

I had a quiet moment. ;-)