"The thing that teases the mind over and over for years, and at last gets itself put down rightly on paper - whether little or great, it belongs to Literature"

This quote by Sarah Orne Jewett speaks to the power of literature and the creative process. It recommends that the act of composing is a long and difficult journey, one that can take years to finish. The idea of something "teasing the mind" indicates that the author is having a hard time to find the best words to express their ideas and feelings. The quote also suggests that the act of writing is a form of freedom, as the author is finally able to put their thoughts down "appropriately on paper". Jewett is suggesting that the act of composing is a type of art, despite the size or scope of the work. Composing is a way to express oneself and to share one's ideas and sensations with the world. Jewett's quote is a suggestion of the power of literature and the significance of the imaginative process.