A Serpentine Gesture: John Ashbery's Poetry and Phenomenology

Elisabeth W. Joyce analyzes John Ashbery's poetry through Maurice Merleau-Ponty's phenomenology, which emphasizes the process of perception through which people seek sensory information, compare it to their previous experiences, and articulate changes in their internal repositories. Joyce argues that this process reflects Ashbery's belief that poetry is the experience of experience, and she examines how he explores this through close readings of his poems, resulting in the serpentine gesture of language.

Format: Hardback
Length: 240 pages
Publication date: 15 June 2022
Publisher: University of New Mexico Press

In his groundbreaking work, "A Serpentine Gesture: John Ashbery's Poetry and Phenomenology," Elisabeth W. Joyce delves into the intricate world of John Ashbery's poetry, employing Maurice Merleau-Ponty's profound conception of phenomenology as a guiding lens. Merleau-Ponty, a renowned philosopher, posits that perception is a dynamic and intricate process through which individuals seek sensory information, compare it to their past experiences, and incorporate cultural norms into their understanding. This intricate process leads to shifts in their internal reservoirs as they engage with new material.

According to Joyce, Ashbery's profound assertion that poetry is the experience of experience finds its essence in this continuous reverberation between what is sensed and what is thought about that sensation. Through meticulous close readings of Ashbery's poems, Joyce explores how he delves into this intricate dance, unraveling the complexities of perception and the ways in which it shapes language.

One of the key aspects of Joyce's analysis is her exploration of the serpentine gesture of language. Merleau-Ponty describes the gesture as a fluid and dynamic movement that encompasses the entirety of the body, expressing the relationship between the subject and the world. Joyce argues that Ashbery's poetry embodies this serpentine gesture, as his words twist and turn, creating a sense of movement and fluidity that mirrors the perceptual process.

Through her meticulous examination, Joyce sheds light on the profound ways in which Ashbery's poetry captures the essence of perception. He challenges the boundaries between the sensory and the conceptual, blurring the lines between what is experienced and what is interpreted. By rendering these perceptions into the serpentine gesture of language, Ashbery creates a poetic language that is both rich and evocative, inviting readers to engage with the world in new and profound ways.

In conclusion, "A Serpentine Gesture: John Ashbery's Poetry and Phenomenology" is a groundbreaking work that offers a fresh and insightful perspective on John Ashbery's poetry. Through the lens of phenomenology, Joyce explores the intricate process of perception and how it shapes language. By examining Ashbery's serpentine gesture of language, she reveals the profound ways in which his poetry captures the essence of experience, inviting readers to engage with the world in new and profound ways. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in poetry, phenomenology, or the complexities of human perception.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780826363817