"A well chosen anthology is a complete dispensary of medicine for the more common mental disorders, and may be used as much for prevention as cure"
- Robert Graves
About this Quote
Robert Graves' quote, "A well picked anthology is a complete dispensary of medication for the more typical mental illness, and may be used as much for avoidance as cure," highlights the extensive mental and emotional advantages that literature can offer. Graves, a renowned writer and poet himself, suggests that an attentively curated collection of literary works has the possible to recover and preserve psychological wellness, much like a drug store equipped with remedies for physical disorders.
The idea that literature functions as a "total dispensary" underscores its complex nature. Just as a dispensary deals different medications for different conditions, an anthology offers a diverse choice of stories, poems, and essays, each with special insights and emotional experiences. This diversity caters to the complexity of human feelings and ideas, attending to different "mental illness" such as anxiety, depression, or even the existential predicaments that plague contemporary presence.
In addition, the claim that an anthology works "as much for prevention as remedy" emphasizes its dual function. Avoidance implies the nurturing and maintenance of psychological health through routine engagement with literature, which promotes empathy, introspection, and cognitive diversity. These characteristics are essential in establishing resilience against future mental distress. On the other hand, literature's therapeutic power can likewise use solace and clarity throughout times of chaos, aiding in the healing from existing mental obstacles.
Tomb' likening of literature to medicine likewise talks to the individual and subjective nature of both fields. Just as certain medications work differently for various individuals, a specific piece of composing may profoundly impact someone while having little impact on another. This personalized interaction with literature reinforces its role as an intimate and versatile tool in fostering mental health.
In essence, Graves succinctly catches the transformative power of literature. A well-chosen anthology does more than captivate; it works as a crucial resource for nurturing and bring back mental and emotional balance in the ever-changing landscape of the human experience.
"One has children in the expectation of dying before them. In fact, you want to make damn sure you die before them, just as you plant a tree or build a house knowing, hoping that it will outlive you. That's how the human species has done as well as it has"