Modern and Post Modern and Post Modern PoetryModern Poetry

Characteristics of Modern Characteristics of Modern PoetryPoetry

1.1. Bold experimentation in style and formBold experimentation in style and form Imagists—poem based on a single imageImagists—poem based on a single image Symbolist—presents idea based on symbols for reader to interpretSymbolist—presents idea based on symbols for reader to interpret Impressionist—presents unrefined first impressionImpressionist—presents unrefined first impression

2.2. Non-traditional sources for inspiration on subjectNon-traditional sources for inspiration on subject Most traditional sources—Nature and Romantic Love or Loss, always Most traditional sources—Nature and Romantic Love or Loss, always

meant to be universal in thememeant to be universal in theme►Classical Chinese Poetry inspired Ezra PoundClassical Chinese Poetry inspired Ezra Pound►1919thth century French Symbolist Poetry century French Symbolist Poetry

3.3. Poems had no fixed single meaning; often they had Poems had no fixed single meaning; often they had multiples themes to interpret, it was up to the individual multiples themes to interpret, it was up to the individual reader to determinereader to determine As long as you back up your opinion on what you think the poem As long as you back up your opinion on what you think the poem

means, you’re right!means, you’re right!

Symbolism and ImagismSymbolism and Imagism

► Reject the Romantics’ focus on nature as a Reject the Romantics’ focus on nature as a source of solace source of solace

►Movement begins in France in 1875…Movement begins in France in 1875…American writers are first introduced to American writers are first introduced to French Symbolist poets during expatriate French Symbolist poets during expatriate movement after WWImovement after WWI

► Symbolism: Symbolism: a form of expression in which a form of expression in which the world of appearances is violently the world of appearances is violently rearranged in order to depict a different and rearranged in order to depict a different and more truthful version of realitymore truthful version of reality This violent rearrangement was visually apparent This violent rearrangement was visually apparent

in the work of Picasso; e.e. cummings attempts to in the work of Picasso; e.e. cummings attempts to do in poetry what Picasso was doing in paintingdo in poetry what Picasso was doing in painting

ImagismImagism

► American offshoot of Symbolism—started by American offshoot of Symbolism—started by Ezra Pound and TS EliotEzra Pound and TS Eliot Also heavily influenced by Japanese haikuAlso heavily influenced by Japanese haiku

► ImagismImagism: believed poetry could be made : believed poetry could be made purer by concentrating on the precise, clear, purer by concentrating on the precise, clear, unqualified imageunqualified image imagery alone can carry a poem’s messageimagery alone can carry a poem’s message Sought to rid poetry of its prettiness, Sought to rid poetry of its prettiness,

sentimentality, and artificialitysentimentality, and artificiality► Famous imagists: Pound, William Carlos Famous imagists: Pound, William Carlos

Williams, e.e. cummings, H.D.Williams, e.e. cummings, H.D.

SymbolismSymbolism

►Characteristics of SymbolismCharacteristics of Symbolism Didn’t merely describe objects—tried to Didn’t merely describe objects—tried to

portray the emotional effects that objects portray the emotional effects that objects can suggestcan suggest

Felt that most symbols were overused and Felt that most symbols were overused and trite—stressed the need to trust in the trite—stressed the need to trust in the nonrationalnonrational

Imagination is more reliable than reasonImagination is more reliable than reason

Edgar Lee MastersEdgar Lee Masters

► Product of the Midwest—found small town life oppressiveProduct of the Midwest—found small town life oppressive Became a lawyer in Chicago and began writing poems, Became a lawyer in Chicago and began writing poems,

plays, and essaysplays, and essays In 1914, a friend gave him a copy of In 1914, a friend gave him a copy of Select Epigrams from Select Epigrams from

the Greek Anthologythe Greek Anthology—became the inspiration for his —became the inspiration for his collection of poems (epitaphs)collection of poems (epitaphs)►Epigrams Epigrams were inscriptions written on monuments in were inscriptions written on monuments in

ancient Greeceancient Greece Modern epigrams Modern epigrams have a short, satirical twist or have a short, satirical twist or

surprise at the end. surprise at the end. ►Masters created a collection of epitaphs (traditional Masters created a collection of epitaphs (traditional

inscriptions on a gravestone) that combined traditional inscriptions on a gravestone) that combined traditional epitaphs and Modern epigramsepitaphs and Modern epigrams

Edgar Lee MastersEdgar Lee Masters►Decided to write a book of epigraphs that would Decided to write a book of epigraphs that would

reveal the dark underside of small town lifereveal the dark underside of small town life Gossip/RumorsGossip/Rumors --Affairs--Affairs AddictionsAddictions --Secrets --Secrets

► Published Published Spoon River AnthologySpoon River Anthology in 1915 in 1915 Created fictional town of Spoon River, ILCreated fictional town of Spoon River, IL

►Rejected traditional forms—all poems are in free verseRejected traditional forms—all poems are in free verse►Subject: the truth behind the happy façade of small town lifeSubject: the truth behind the happy façade of small town life

Over 250 epitaphs. When read together, they create a full Over 250 epitaphs. When read together, they create a full and vibrant picture of small town life in Americaand vibrant picture of small town life in America►Epitaphs are written in the voice of the dead, and an entire life is Epitaphs are written in the voice of the dead, and an entire life is

usually revealed through one incident that is remembered, even in usually revealed through one incident that is remembered, even in deathdeath

These epitaphs are also known as: These epitaphs are also known as: Dramatic monologueDramatic monologue—a poem in which the character/speaker addresses a —a poem in which the character/speaker addresses a silent listenersilent listener

Spoon River AnthologySpoon River Anthology

““Blind Jack”Blind Jack”I HAD fiddled all day at the county fair. I HAD fiddled all day at the county fair. But driving home, "Butch" Weldy and Jack But driving home, "Butch" Weldy and Jack

McGuire, who were roaring full, made me fiddle McGuire, who were roaring full, made me fiddle and fiddle to the song of Susie Skinner, while and fiddle to the song of Susie Skinner, while whipping the horses till they ran away. Blind as whipping the horses till they ran away. Blind as I was, I tried to get out as the carriage fell in I was, I tried to get out as the carriage fell in the ditch, and was caught in the wheels and the ditch, and was caught in the wheels and killed. There's a blind man here with a brow as killed. There's a blind man here with a brow as big and white as a cloud. And all we fiddlers, big and white as a cloud. And all we fiddlers, from highest to lowest, writers of music and from highest to lowest, writers of music and tellers of stories, sit at his feet and hear him tellers of stories, sit at his feet and hear him sing of the fall of Troy. sing of the fall of Troy.

Ralph RhodesRalph Rhodes

ALL they said was true: ALL they said was true: I wrecked my father's bank with my loans to dabble in wheat; I wrecked my father's bank with my loans to dabble in wheat;

but this was true-- I was buying wheat for him as well, who but this was true-- I was buying wheat for him as well, who couldn't margin the deal in his name because of his church couldn't margin the deal in his name because of his church relationship. And while George Reece was serving his term relationship. And while George Reece was serving his term I chased the will-o-the-wisp of women and the mockery of I chased the will-o-the-wisp of women and the mockery of wine in New York. It's deathly to sicken of wine and women wine in New York. It's deathly to sicken of wine and women when nothing else is left in life. But suppose your head is when nothing else is left in life. But suppose your head is gray, and bowed on a table covered with acrid stubs of gray, and bowed on a table covered with acrid stubs of cigarettes and empty glasses, and a knock is heard, and cigarettes and empty glasses, and a knock is heard, and you know it's the knock so long drowned out by popping you know it's the knock so long drowned out by popping corks and the pea-cock screams of demireps-- and you look corks and the pea-cock screams of demireps-- and you look up, and there's your theft, who waited until your head was up, and there's your theft, who waited until your head was gray, and your heart skipped beats to say to you: the game gray, and your heart skipped beats to say to you: the game is ended. I've called for you, Go out on Broadway and be is ended. I've called for you, Go out on Broadway and be run over, they'll ship you back to Spoon River. run over, they'll ship you back to Spoon River.

““Thomas Rhodes”Thomas Rhodes”

VERY well, you liberalsVERY well, you liberalsAnd navigators into realms intellectual, You And navigators into realms intellectual, You

sailors through heights imaginative, Blown sailors through heights imaginative, Blown about by erratic currents, tumbling into air about by erratic currents, tumbling into air pockets, You Margaret Fuller Slacks, Petits, pockets, You Margaret Fuller Slacks, Petits, And Tennessee Claflin Shopes– You tound And Tennessee Claflin Shopes– You tound with all your boasted wisdom How hard at the with all your boasted wisdom How hard at the last it is To keep the soul from splitting into last it is To keep the soul from splitting into cellular atoms. While we, seekers of earth's cellular atoms. While we, seekers of earth's treasures Getters and hoarders of gold, Are treasures Getters and hoarders of gold, Are self-contained, compact, harmonized, Even to self-contained, compact, harmonized, Even to the end. the end.

MetapoetryMetapoetry

► Defined as a poem about poetryDefined as a poem about poetry Wallace StevensWallace Stevens

►Believed that the goal of poetry is to capture the Believed that the goal of poetry is to capture the interaction between the private world of the interaction between the private world of the mind and reality.mind and reality.

How does our imagination shape the way we see the How does our imagination shape the way we see the world around us? world around us?

►Uses imagery and precise languageUses imagery and precise language Archibald MacLeishArchibald MacLeish

►Lyric poetry: a melodic poem that expresses the Lyric poetry: a melodic poem that expresses the observations and feelings of a single speakerobservations and feelings of a single speaker

MetapoetryMetapoetry

►Marianne MooreMarianne Moore Explored more traditional subjects—animals, Explored more traditional subjects—animals,

nature, poetry itselfnature, poetry itself►Wrote Wrote objectivistobjectivist poetry: poems that focus on a poetry: poems that focus on a

single subject (person, place, or object) and render it single subject (person, place, or object) and render it objectively (without personal judgment) and in detailobjectively (without personal judgment) and in detail

►All three poets use All three poets use imageryimagery to suggest to suggest themetheme

►All three poets use All three poets use simile, metaphor, simile, metaphor, personification personification to evoke theme to evoke theme

Robert FrostRobert Frost1874-19631874-1963

► Originally from Ca.; family settled in Mass. after the Originally from Ca.; family settled in Mass. after the early death of Frost’s fatherearly death of Frost’s father

► Educated at Dartmouth CollegeEducated at Dartmouth College Dropped out after a few monthsDropped out after a few months Worked in a textile mill and wrote poetryWorked in a textile mill and wrote poetry

► Married young, enrolled at HarvardMarried young, enrolled at Harvard Lasted less than two years: not supportive of his type of Lasted less than two years: not supportive of his type of

traditional poetrytraditional poetry► Worked as a teacher, editor; eventually settled on Worked as a teacher, editor; eventually settled on

farmingfarming Decided farming wasn’t good for poetry writing eitherDecided farming wasn’t good for poetry writing either

► 1912: relocated his family to England to focus on 1912: relocated his family to England to focus on writing careerwriting career

Robert FrostRobert Frost

► Characteristics of Frost’s PoetryCharacteristics of Frost’s Poetry Devoted to traditional forms with a twistDevoted to traditional forms with a twist

►Rhyme scheme often usedRhyme scheme often used►Meter is often usedMeter is often used►The twist? The twist?

BlankBlank VerseVerse: poetry written without a rhyme scheme but in a : poetry written without a rhyme scheme but in a specific metrical pattern (usually iambic pentameter)—affects the specific metrical pattern (usually iambic pentameter)—affects the sound and mood of poemsound and mood of poem

Conversational languageConversational language PastoralsPastorals: poems that focus on a rural setting--Frost : poems that focus on a rural setting--Frost

focused on American landscapes, specifically New Englandfocused on American landscapes, specifically New England► Traditionally, pastorals present an idealized view of rural lifeTraditionally, pastorals present an idealized view of rural life

Known for “cranky realism”—rural life is filled with accidents, Known for “cranky realism”—rural life is filled with accidents, conflicts, and ethical lapsesconflicts, and ethical lapses

Robert FrostRobert Frost

►““Birches”Birches” Style: Blank VerseStyle: Blank Verse

►Unrhymed iambic pentameterUnrhymed iambic pentameter►Sounds like conversational EnglishSounds like conversational English►Relies on other sound effects than rhyme to create Relies on other sound effects than rhyme to create

poetic elementspoetic elements AlliterationAlliteration onomatopoeiaonomatopoeia

Comment about nature in this poem?Comment about nature in this poem?►Nature can help us re-experience the freedom and Nature can help us re-experience the freedom and

innocence of childhood, when adulthood is too much innocence of childhood, when adulthood is too much for usfor us

Robert FrostRobert Frost

►““Mending Wall”Mending Wall” Perfect example of a Frost pastoralPerfect example of a Frost pastoral

►Consider what aspects of rural life this poem Consider what aspects of rural life this poem addressesaddresses

Relationship with neighborsRelationship with neighbors Destruction of man made by natureDestruction of man made by nature

►Does this poem idealize these aspects of rural Does this poem idealize these aspects of rural life, or is Frost offering a more complex vision of life, or is Frost offering a more complex vision of country livingcountry living

Notice the form—Blank VerseNotice the form—Blank Verse

e.e. cummingse.e. cummings

► Challenged the conventions of syntax (the rules for Challenged the conventions of syntax (the rules for the formation of sentences)the formation of sentences)

► Made Made typographytypography (the general character or (the general character or appearance of printed matter) and the division of appearance of printed matter) and the division of words part of the shape and meaning of the poemwords part of the shape and meaning of the poem Concrete poetryConcrete poetry: : poetry in which the

typographical arrangement of words is as important in conveying the intended effect as the conventional elements of the poem

► Heavily influenced by French symbolism and Heavily influenced by French symbolism and Whitman’s free verseWhitman’s free verse

e. e. cummingse. e. cummings

►Characteristics of cummings poetryCharacteristics of cummings poetry Unconventional punctuationUnconventional punctuation Unconventional capitalization and spellingUnconventional capitalization and spelling Use of typography symbolsUse of typography symbols Jubilant lyricismJubilant lyricism

►Celebration of loveCelebration of love►Beauty of natureBeauty of nature►Affirmation of the individualAffirmation of the individual

““in Just-”in Just-”cummings never titled his poems…sorta like Emily Dickinson cummings never titled his poems…sorta like Emily Dickinson

in Just-spring when the world is mud-luscious the little lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come running from marbles andpiracies and it’s spring

when the world is puddle-wonderfulthe queerold balloonman whistles far and weeand bettyandisabel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it’sspringand the

goat-footed balloonMan whistlesfarandwee

““the hills”the hills”

the hillslike poets put onpurple thought againstthemagnificent clamor of

daytorturedin gold, which presently

crumpledcollapsesexhaling a red soul into the dark

soduneyed masterenterthe sweet gates

of my heart andtakethe rose

which perfect is With killing hands

the skywas can dy

lu mi nous ed

Ible spry pinks

shy lemons

greenscool

choco lates

un dera lo

como tive s pout

ingvi

o lets

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iness

r-p-o-p-h-e-s-s-a-g-rwho

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Characteristics of Post-Characteristics of Post-Modern Poetry (1945-1985)Modern Poetry (1945-1985)

►There is no single dominant style of There is no single dominant style of poetry during this periodpoetry during this period Narrative poems (tell a story)Narrative poems (tell a story) Observational, philosophical, and Observational, philosophical, and

reflective poemsreflective poems Sense of alienationSense of alienation Poems as diary or journalPoems as diary or journal Poems that reinterpret the self in context Poems that reinterpret the self in context

of others (“Mirror” by Sylvia Plath)of others (“Mirror” by Sylvia Plath)

Post Modern PoetryPost Modern Poetry

►Sylvia Plath and Anne SextonSylvia Plath and Anne Sexton Both poets are known for use of figurative Both poets are known for use of figurative

languagelanguage►Simile and metaphorSimile and metaphor

Both used language to capture painful Both used language to capture painful emotionsemotions

Both explored the pressures society Both explored the pressures society places on women, specifically standards places on women, specifically standards of beauty and mental healthof beauty and mental health

Post Modern PoetryPost Modern Poetry

►Theodore RoethkeTheodore Roethke Family owned greenhouses when he was a kid; Family owned greenhouses when he was a kid;

wrote lots of observational poems about naturewrote lots of observational poems about nature Found it difficult to relate to others; related to the Found it difficult to relate to others; related to the

world through his poetryworld through his poetry Use of figurative language in poems—sound effects Use of figurative language in poems—sound effects

primarilyprimarily►Alliteration: repetition of consonants at beginning of wordsAlliteration: repetition of consonants at beginning of words►Assonance: repetition of vowel sounds in words (not Assonance: repetition of vowel sounds in words (not

necessarily at the beginning of word)necessarily at the beginning of word)►Consonance: repetition of constant sounds in the middle or Consonance: repetition of constant sounds in the middle or

at the ends of wordsat the ends of words