“The passion of my life to which philosophy and science and history have been but handmaidens.”

Describes poetry as the central intellectual and imaginative passion of his life · Across Spoon River

• Knowledge
• Life
• Poetry

“In the poetry of fancy and of the imagination, there is poetry that lulls and lifts, and soothes with music and pictures.”

Distinguishes imaginative and musical poetry from the more demanding poetry he regarded as greatest · Across Spoon River

• Imagination
• Music
• Poetry

“Whitman fought for the modern point of view which has discarded chastity as the perverted ideal of Asiatic mysticism.”

Shows Masters's admiration for Whitman's challenge to inherited conventions surrounding the body and sexuality · Whitman

• Body
• Convention
• Freedom