There has been a time on earth when poets had been young and dead and famous - and were men. But now the poet as the tragic child of grandeur and destiny had changed. The child of genius was a woman, now, and the man was gone.

The quote by Tom Wolfe reflects on the evolving image of the poet and the changing dynamics of fame and genius over time. Wolfe notes that there was once a period when poets were typically young, dead, famous, and predominantly men. This idea evokes the traditional, romanticized notion of the tragic male genius whose work and legacy often gained recognition posthumously.

However, Wolfe contrasts this past with the present, stating that the "poet as the tragic child of grandeur and destiny had changed." He highlights a significant shift: the "child of genius was a woman, now, and the man was gone." This symbolizes a broader cultural and social change, recognizing that female poets and artists have come to embody the role of creative genius, challenging the historically male-dominated narrative.

The origin of this quote likely stems from Wolfe’s observations on cultural and artistic history, where he examines the transformation in societal attitudes toward gender and artistic identity. It reflects his interest in how fame, creativity, and genius are perceived differently across eras.

In essence, this quote explores the transformation of the archetype of the poet—from a tragic male figure to a female embodiment of genius—and suggests that fame and artistic legacy are fluid concepts shaped by cultural shifts. Wolfe’s words celebrate the rise of women in the arts and the changing face of creativity.