"Under adversity, under oppression, the words begin to fail, the easy words begin to fail. In order to convey things accurately, the human being is almost forced to find the most precise words possible, which is a precondition for literature"

This quote by Rita Dove speaks to the power of language and how it can be used to properly convey feeling and experience. She suggests that when faced with hardship or oppression, the simple words that we utilize to express ourselves are inadequate. In order to properly convey the sensations and experiences of these challenging times, we should look for the most exact words possible. This look for the ideal words is a prerequisite for literature, as it enables us to precisely reveal our feelings and experiences. Dove's quote speaks with the power of language and how it can be used to properly convey feeling and experience. It likewise talks to the importance of literature, as it enables us to accurately reveal our feelings and experiences in a way that is both meaningful and powerful.