The Anxiety of Influence

"The Anxiety of Influence," a concept by literary critic Harold Bloom, describes how new poets or writers often feel intertwined with their predecessors' work. They experience a psychological tension, fearing their originality might be overshadowed by past influences. This anxiety drives them to either imitate, diverge from, or reinterpret earlier styles in an effort to establish their unique voice. Essentially, it’s the internal struggle of creators to balance respect for tradition with the desire to innovate, highlighting how influence shapes the creative process and personal artistic development.