Who made the remark: "Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree"?

Correct option is B

Explanation:

The correct answer is Ezra Pound.

Ezra Pound, a leading figure in the modernist movement, famously said that "Great literature is simply language charged with meaning to the utmost possible degree."

This statement aligns with Pound’s approach to poetry, where he emphasized conciseness and precision in language.

His philosophy encouraged the use of language that was dense with meaning, and he sought to strip away unnecessary words and superfluous expressions in favor of poetic economy.

Information Booster:

Ezra Pound’s Philosophy on Poetry:

Pound believed that great poetry must communicate as much as possible in the fewest words. His commitment to using language economically is a key feature of his poetry.

This is often referred to as his imagist philosophy, which advocated for clear, direct language that captured images in their most concise form.

The Concept of ‘Language Charged with Meaning’:

This remark by Pound highlights his conviction that great literature should not be ornate or verbose, but instead should have every word work with a powerful significance.

Each word in a piece of great literature should contribute deeply to its overall meaning, rather than merely adding decoration.

Influence of Pound’s Work:

Pound was instrumental in shaping modernist poetry and was a mentor to poets such as T.S. Eliot, who would later adopt similar ideas in his own works, notably in his poem "The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock", where every line is carefully constructed to evoke a powerful emotional and intellectual response.

Imagism and Precision:

Pound was a key figure in the Imagist movement, which emphasized the use of precise imagery and direct language.

Imagist poetry sought to avoid unnecessary words and to focus on the visual and emotional impact of the image.

Pound's remark about “charged language” speaks directly to the Imagist belief that each word in a poem should be economical yet rich in meaning.

Additional Knowledge:

Rabindranath Tagore:

Rabindranath Tagore was a prominent poet. Tagore’s poetry is deeply symbolic and reflects themes of spirituality, humanism, and universal love, which differ from the modernist approach espoused by Pound.

W.B. Yeats:

W.B. Yeats was another influential poet who explored themes such as myth, nationalism, and mysticism. While he did focus on symbolism and layered meanings in his poetry, he did not make the remark in question.

T.S. Eliot:

T.S. Eliot, though aligned with Pound in the modernist movement, is not the author of this quote. Eliot’s work, such as "The Waste Land", emphasizes the fragmented nature of modern life and often focuses on the complexity of language and culture, but his views on literature differ from Pound’s emphasis on concise, “charged” language.