Poetry and the Limits of Modernity in Depression America

This book explores how the economic and cultural crisis of the Depression era led to an epistemological crisis in which cultural producers questioned the ability of language to represent society. It examines the work of six poets and their responses to this crisis, including Louis Zukofsky, Muriel Rukeyser, Charles Reznikoff, Sterling A. Brown, Norman Macleod, and Lorine Niedecker.

Format: Hardback
Length: 280 pages
Publication date: 05 October 2023
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

In the realm of literary analysis, this book delves into the intricate relationship between the poetry of the 1930s and the cultural backdrop of the Depression era. It posits a novel perspective by contending that the economic and cultural turmoil of that time coincided with an epistemological crisis, wherein cultural producers began to question the reliability of language in capturing the essence of society. Poetry and the Limits of Modernity in Depression America explores this central theme through six compelling chapters, each focusing on a specific poet and their unique approach to language.

The first chapter, titled "Louis Zukofsky and the Commodification of Language," delves into the ways in which the poet confronted the commercialization of language and its impact on artistic expression. Zukofsky's work, characterized by its experimental and abstract nature, reflects the tension between the desire for artistic autonomy and the pressures of capitalist commodification.

The second chapter, "Muriel Rukeyser and Documentary Photography," explores the poet's use of documentary photography as a means of capturing the realities of the Depression era. Rukeyser's photographs, combined with her poetic prose, provide a powerful commentary on the social and economic struggles of ordinary people.

The third chapter, "Charles Reznikoff and Depression-era Historiography," examines the poet's engagement with historical writing during the Depression. Reznikoff's work, characterized by its irony and self-reflexivity, challenges the traditional narratives of the era and offers a fresh perspective on the historical events of that time.

The fourth chapter, "Sterling A. Brown and the Blues as Both an Ethnographic Phenomenon and a Marketable Cultural Product," explores the poet's fascination with the blues music genre and its role in shaping African American culture. Brown's work combines the ethnographic study of blues music with its commercialization in the mainstream cultural landscape.

The fifth chapter, "Norman Macleod and Southwest Regionalism," examines the poet's exploration of the Southwest region of the United States and its cultural significance. Macleod's work blends the regionalist aesthetic with a deep understanding of the human condition, offering a unique perspective on the American landscape.

The sixth and final chapter, "Lorine Niedecker and Ethnographic Surrealism," delves into the poet's use of surrealism to depict the complexities of the human experience during the Depression era. Niedecker's work combines the surrealist aesthetic with a keen ethnographic eye, offering a powerful commentary on the social and cultural tensions of that time.

In conclusion, Poetry and the Limits of Modernity in Depression America provides a thought-provoking exploration of the relationship between poetry and the cultural context of the 1930s. Through its insightful analysis of six diverse poets and their approaches to language, the book offers a fresh perspective on the enduring vitality of language as a social medium. It sheds light on the challenges faced by cultural producers during the Depression era and the ways in which they navigated the complexities of a rapidly changing society. This book is a valuable contribution to the field of literary analysis and will be of interest to scholars, students, and anyone with an interest in the intersection of culture, history, and language.

Weight: 514g
Dimension: 159 x 237 x 21 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781009347839