In Biographia Literaria, S.T. Coleridge's distinction between "imagination" and "fancy" is central to his theory of creativity and perception. He describes imagination as a vital, creative force that connects the individual to the deeper, spiritual reality of the universe. Let's break down the options:
"The soul perceives the phenomenal diversity of the universe" — This would imply that imagination focuses on external appearances and diversity. However, Coleridge sees imagination as something deeper, connecting to the spiritual or unified essence, not just the surface diversity of phenomena.
"The soul perceives the spiritual unity of the universe" — This is the correct answer because Coleridge argues that the imagination is a creative, spiritual faculty that unites the fragmented experiences of the world into a coherent whole. Imagination is not merely a passive receiver of images or sensations but an active force that helps the soul grasp a unified, transcendent reality.
"The mind acquires images by its associative power" — This refers more to what Coleridge describes as "fancy." Fancy deals with associating and rearranging images, but it lacks the deeper, creative, and unifying function of imagination.
"The mind separates images by its discriminatory power" — This focuses on analytical or discriminatory functions, which is more about reason or judgment, not the integrative and creative nature of the imagination.
Thus, option 2 is correct because Coleridge’s concept of imagination is tied to the perception of a spiritual unity underlying the physical world, aligning with his Romantic ideals of a deeper, interconnected reality.
Year-wise PYQs
