An Introduction to Poetic Forms

An Introduction to Poetic Forms provides specimen discussions of poems through the lens of form, illustrating how individual poets have deviated from or subverted those expectations. It also cross-references other literary forms and periods, demonstrating the importance of the respective form to the culture at large. The textbook helps students and instructors to see poetic forms as living, breathing testament to the ongoing evolution of cultural debates, showing the complexities and contradictions inherent in the nature of literary form.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 238 pages
Publication date: 22 November 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

An Introduction to Poetic Forms delves into the examination of poems through the lens of form, presenting comprehensive discussions of various poetic styles. While each chapter begins with a standard definition of the form in question, its primary objective is to showcase readings of specific examples to illustrate how individual poets have deviated from or subverted the typical expectations associated with that form. While providing essential information on the most widely taught poetic forms, this collection swiftly demonstrates that counting syllables and identifying rhyme schemes are not the sole determinants of poetic form. Instead, each chapter incorporates cross-references to other literary forms and periods, emphasizing the significance of each form within the broader cultural context. Whether exploring the democratizing communicative power of the ballad or the objectifying male gaze of the blazon and the resistance to it in the contreblazon, the textbook delves into the full dimensions of the cultural impact of form. By utilizing standard definitions as a starting point and fostering lively debates around the cultural significance of poetic form, the textbook aids students and instructors in perceiving poetic forms as dynamic and evolving manifestations of cultural debates. Ultimately, the book aims to unveil the complexities and contradictions inherent in the very nature of literary form itself. It explores how each concrete example deviates from the standard template while simultaneously employing it as a tool for generating meaning.

Weight: 462g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032154015