Poetry and Islands: Materiality and the Creative Imagination

Islands have inspired poetry throughout history, serving as destinations, homes, exile, or imprisonment. They are ideal for allegorical journeys, acts of finding, and losing. Islands can be a continent or an archipelago, providing relief, pleasure, or frustration. They invite and resist imagination, containing human longings and desires, fears, and fantasies. Poetry and Islands explores this relationship, balancing historical and geographical reference with a selective approach to poems and poets in English and translations.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 196 pages
Publication date: 01 March 2018
Publisher: Rowman & Littlefield International

Throughout history and across cultures, the poetic imagination has found nourishment in the inherent qualities of islands. These captivating destinations can serve as alluring retreats, welcoming homes, or desolate prisons, or simply temporary havens for exploration. Islands offer a perfect platform for allegorical journeys, where acts of discovery often lead to moments of loss or vice versa. While they may not constitute continents, islands can form intricate archipelagos, each with its unique identity. These solitary entities possess the power to evoke a sense of isolation or connection, offering respite and pleasure or frustration and isolation. Moreover, islands serve as both subjects and catalysts for imaginative exploration, inviting and resisting the boundless creativity of the human mind.

In Poetry and Islands, we delve into the profound relationship between islands and human longings, fears, and fantasies. This captivating study strikes a harmonious balance between historical and geographical context and a selective exploration of poems and poets in English, as well as their translations into English. By examining specific poems that prominently feature islands, we complement our analysis with a detailed examination of the poets who have played a pivotal role in shaping our global perception and response to these remarkable landscapes.

Islands have long held a special place in human imagination, serving as repositories for our deepest desires, fears, and aspirations. They evoke a sense of awe and wonder, inspiring poets and writers to explore the complexities of human existence within their isolated confines. From the mythical islands of Greek mythology to the real-life archipelagos of the world, islands have been portrayed as both paradise and purgatory, offering a fertile ground for poetic expression.

In Poetry and Islands, we explore the myriad ways in which islands become symbols of human longing. They serve as metaphors for the uncharted territories of the mind and heart, where we can confront our fears and desires in a safe and contained environment. Islands offer a respite from the pressures of everyday life, providing a chance to connect with nature and rediscover our sense of self. They also serve as a source of inspiration for artists, musicians, and writers, who draw upon the unique qualities of these landscapes to create works that resonate with audiences on a profound level.

However, islands are not merely symbols of human longing; they also hold deep fears and fantasies. They evoke images of isolation, loneliness, and vulnerability, reminding us of our human frailty and the vastness of the world around us. Islands can also be seen as places of adventure, where explorers venture into the unknown and discover new lands and cultures. They offer a sense of escapism and freedom, allowing us to temporarily escape the constraints of our everyday lives.

In Poetry and Islands, we examine the ways in which islands serve as a locus for some of our deepest fears and fantasies. We explore the dark and mysterious aspects of these landscapes, from the eerie silence of abandoned islands to the terrifying creatures that lurk beneath the waves. We also examine the ways in which islands can be used as a means of exploring our own fears and insecurities, providing a safe space for introspection and self-discovery.

Moreover, islands hold a special place in our cultural and historical imagination. They have been used as symbols of power, wealth, and empire, as well as sites of resistance and rebellion. From the ancient civilizations of the Mediterranean to the modern-day struggles for independence, islands have played a pivotal role in shaping the course

In conclusion, Poetry and Islands offers a comprehensive exploration of the profound relationship between islands and human imagination. Through a blend of historical and geographical context, selective poetry analysis, and a detailed examination of poets and their contributions, this study provides a rich and nuanced understanding of the ways in which islands have served as repositories for human longings, fears, and fantasies. By examining the myriad ways in which islands become symbols of human longing, fears, and fantasies, we gain a deeper appreciation for the power of these remarkable landscapes to inspire, challenge, and transform our understanding of the world. Whether we are drawn to their allure of isolation, their capacity for adventure, or their role in shaping our cultural and historical imagination, islands continue to hold a special place in our hearts and minds, reminding us of the vastness and complexity of the human experience.

Weight: 304g
Dimension: 154 x 229 x 18 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781783484119