# XCVI explained — Poetry

> Chapter companion for Poetry by Ambrose Bierce.

## What happens

A brief aphorism distinguishing popular authors from geniuses: popular authors write what people already think, while geniuses challenge them to think differently.

## Themes in this chapter

### Art and Criticism

Contrasts popular authorship with genius, critiquing the role of art in either reinforcing or challenging public thought.

## Key lines

> A popular author is one who writes what the people think. Genius invites them to think something else.

A widely liked writer expresses the common opinions of the public, whereas a genius encourages people to consider new or different ideas.

_Defines two types of writers: those who reflect popular thought and those who challenge it._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters/xcvi
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/poetry_se/chapters