Minotaur: Poetry and the Nation State

Description

One of the most powerful poets of his generation consolidates his reputation as an exceptionally forthright and astringent critic in this book that analyzes the relationship between English-language literature, especially poetry, and nineteenth and twentieth-century politics. Tom Paulin’s criticism stays on track, always responsive to a work’s characteristic genius and sensitive to its social setting. Each of these essays—on poets ranging from Robert Southey and Christina Rossetti to Philip Larkin, from John Clare to Elizabeth Bishop and Ted Hughes, with a few excursions into the poetry of Eastern Europe for contrast—is informed by a love for poetry and a lively attention to detail. At every turn, Paulin demonstrates the intricate connection between the private imagination and society at large, simultaneously illuminating the kinship between the literature of the past and of the present. He also relates the poetry to themes of nationhood and to ideas about orality, speech rhythms, and vernacular background. Minotaur exemplifies the sort of general, accessible criticism of the arts that will interest a wide range of readers. Contents Author’s Note Introduction Pure Primitive Divinity: The Republican Epic of John Milton Southey Landing John Clare in Babylon Citizen Clough Overthrowing the Fathers: Christina Rossetti Hopkins on the Rampage Writing beyond Writing: Emily Dickinson The Great Horn-Handled Jack-Knife: Great Expectations as Epic Poem Yeats’s Hunger-Strike Poem Salid Oil and Alexindrines: Yeats’s Letters Hibiscus and Salvia Flowers: D. H. Lawrence Poetry and Power: Robert Frost Dwelling without Roots: Elizabeth Bishop Mr Cogito and the Nation: Zbigniew Herbert The Soldier and the Prince: Zbigniew Herbert Dimensions of the Present Moment: Miroslav Holub Hiding Itself in Itself: Tadeusz Rozewicz She Did Not Change: Philip Larkin Laureate of the Free Market? Ted Hughes A Visionary Nationalist: Geoffrey Hill Junk Britain: Peter Reading Acknowledgements