In "Humboldt's Gift," Saul Bellow expresses a profound idea regarding the hidden poetry within America. He suggests that this extraordinary art exists, but traditional cultural approaches are insufficient to reveal it. There is an underlying agony and complexity in society that conventional artistic methods fail to address, highlighting a disconnect between established cultural practices and the more profound dimensions of human experience.

Bellow's quote underscores a sense of urgency for new forms of expression that can capture the depth of emotions and challenges facing individuals. The traditional frameworks for art might overlook the richness of these buried feelings, suggesting that a significant transformation is required in art to truly connect with the deeper truths of life. The struggle to reconcile these emotions with artistic expression is a central theme in Bellow's exploration of contemporary life.