Graphology, the pseudoscience of analyzing handwriting to determine a person's character, became a widespread fad in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was popular in Europe and America and was even used by some employers and in courts of law. Like phrenology, it provided a seemingly objective, systematic way to understand people, appealing to a culture obsessed with classification and self-improvement.

The graphology fad influenced the way poets and writers thought about the relationship between the physical act of writing and the inner self. The connection between handwriting and personality became a literary device, allowing poets to explore themes of authenticity and identity. The idea that a person's true character could be 'read' from their script had a lasting impact on the romanticized image of the artist as a unique, expressive individual.