If you ask a twenty-one-year-old poet whose poetry he likes, he might say, unblushing, "Nobody's," In his youth, he has not yet understood that poets like poetry, and novelists like novels; he himself likes only the role, the thought of himself in a hat.
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In Annie Dillard's "The Writing Life," she explores the perspective of a young poet who may claim to admire no one else's work. This attitude reflects their lack of experience and understanding of the poetry world, as they are still caught up in their self-image and the concept of being a poet rather than truly engaging with literary art.
Dillard implies that with maturity, artists often come to appreciate the works of others, recognizing that their craft is enriched by the contributions of predecessors and contemporaries. This transformation is crucial in developing a meaningful relationship with literature, moving beyond self-involvement to a broader appreciation for the art form.
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