Poetry in Exile: Czech Poets During the Cold War and the Western Poetic Tradition

Josef Hrdlička's Poetry in Exile explores the impact of exile on poetry, tracing its history from the Western tradition to the modern age and focusing on the postwar poetry of Czech exiles. He argues that exile disrupts the fundamental elements of poetry and provides an early model of exile in poetics.

\n Format: Paperback / softback
\n Length: 358 pages
\n Publication date: 02 March 2021
\n Publisher: Karolinum,Nakladatelstvi Univerzity Karlovy,Czech Republic
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Josef Hrdlička, a prominent figure in Czech literature, delves into the profound influence of exile, whether physical or spiritual, on poetry in his captivating comparative study. Hrdlička contends that exile disrupts the very foundations of poetry, particularly its linguistic and cultural framework. He begins by exploring exile as a cultural phenomenon in the Western tradition, tracing its intricate history and the diverse ways in which poets have addressed it, from Solon to Celan.

Central to Hrdlička's exploration is the specific poetics of exile. He identifies Ovids elegies as an early exemplar of exile in poetics, highlighting the profound emotions and longing expressed in these works. He then traces the evolution of exile as a concept throughout the modern age, culminating in Baudelaire's notion that daily life itself can metaphorically exile individuals.

While the book's focus initially lies in the broader realm of exile, it ultimately returns to Hrdlička's homeland, specifically examining the postwar poetry of Czech exiles. Poets like Ivan Blatný, Milada Součková, Ivan Diviš, and Petr Král are analyzed as case studies to test the theoretical questions raised in the first part of the book and uncover the insights and revelations offered by their individual poems.

Through his meticulous analysis and insightful interpretations, Hrdlička offers a profound exploration of the complexities of exile and its profound impact on the art of poetry. Poetry in Exile serves as a valuable contribution to literary studies, shedding light on the enduring power of words to transcend geographical boundaries and connect individuals across time and cultures.

\n Weight: 618g\n
Dimension: 165 x 226 x 27 (mm)\n
ISBN-13: 9788024646572\n \n