"And, as I have said, it's made me think twice about the imagination. If the spirits aren't external, how astonishing the mediums become! Victor Hugo said of his voices that they were like his own mental powers multiplied by five"

This quote by James Merrill speaks with the power of the imagination and how it can be used to create something remarkable. He suggests that if the spirits are not external, then the mediums become even more outstanding. Victor Hugo's experience of hearing voices is utilized as an example of how the creativity can be utilized to produce something powerful. Merrill is suggesting that the imagination is a powerful tool that can be used to produce something extraordinary. He is likewise suggesting that the creativity can be used to create something that is beyond what we can generally experience. This quote speaks to the power of the creativity and how it can be utilized to create something extraordinary.