Portrait of the Artist
Portrait of the Artist - meaning Summary
Myth Versus Ordinary Life
Kavanagh's "Portrait of the Artist" critiques how public narratives and biographers manufacture dramatic life-stories for artists while ignoring quieter, undramatic realities. The speaker presents contrasting sketches: an anonymous, unremarkable death and a sensationalized, formulaic celebrity biography. The poem satirizes the appetite for scandal and coherent plots that validate genius, and expresses frustration that an unflashy life—closer to the poet's own—will be dismissed as lacking the "little more" needed for success.
Read Complete AnalysesI never lived, I have no history, I deserted no wife to take another, I rotted in a room and leave – this message. The morning newspapers and the radio Announced his death in a few horrid words: – A man of talent who lacked the little more That makes the difference Between success and failure. The biographer turned away disgusted from A theme that had no plot And wrote instead the life of Reilly. Great artist, came to town at twenty-one, Took a job, Threw it up, Lived a year with Mrs Brown. Wrote a play, Got the pox, Made a film, Wrote the incidental music. Left his Mrs. Took another, Lived in Paris With a mummer. His critics were Denounced as monsters, Jungle beasts Who hated Art. Great artist, great man, the pattern was perfect And the biographer recorded it with enthusiasm.
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