"We learned in the university to consider Wordsworth and Keats as Romantics. They were only a generation apart, but Wordsworth didn't even read Keats's book when he gave him a copy"

This quote by Thom Gunn is a reflection on the differences in between the 2 Romantic poets, William Wordsworth and John Keats. It recommends that, in spite of being only a generation apart, the 2 poets had extremely various approaches to their work. Wordsworth was more traditional and conservative in his technique, while Keats was more experimental and daring. The quote also implies that Wordsworth was not especially thinking about Keats's work, as he did not even read the book he was provided by Keats. This might be viewed as a sign of the absence of appreciation for Keats's work at the time, as Wordsworth was a more recognized poet. This quote functions as a suggestion of the importance of acknowledging the work of all artists, no matter their level of popularity or success. It is a pointer that all artists need to be offered the same regard and gratitude, despite their differences.