Surprised by Sound: Rhyme's Inner Workings

Surprised by Sound, by Roi Tartakovsky, explores the power of rhyme in contemporary poetry. It investigates the mechanics of rhyme, its relationship to poetic freedom, cognitive and psychoanalytic theories, and the accidental aspects of language. Tartakovsky introduces the concept of sporadic rhyme, which can be a single, strong, resounding rhyme in free verse or an internal rhyme in villanelles or scattered rhymes in longer poems. The book demonstrates that rhyme's enduring value lies in its paradoxical and unstable nature, its capacity for creating poetic, cognitive, and psychic effects, and its ability to transcend traditional forms.

Format: Hardback
Length: 224 pages
Publication date: 19 May 2021
Publisher: Louisiana State University Press

In his book "Surprised by Sound," Roi Tartakovsky explores the enduring power of rhyme in contemporary poetry, despite its deviation from traditional or expected forms. Through his meticulous analysis, he unveils the mechanics of rhyme, shedding light on how and why it remains a vital component of poetry, connecting to profound questions about poetic freedom, cognitive and psychoanalytic theories, and the accidental aspects of language.

"Surprised by Sound" addresses two central inquiries: first, what is it about the structure of rhyme that renders it such a potent and ongoing source of poetic production and extrapoetic fascination? Second, how has rhyme evolved and persisted in the era of free verse, which typically eschews poetic meter and the artificial sound of rhyme, including the rhythmic thumping at the end of every line? In response, Tartakovsky proposes a novel category of rhyme he calls sporadic. Unlike systematic or expected rhyme, sporadic rhyme can manifest as a single, strikingly resonant rhyme abruptly inserted into a free verse poem. It can also occur as internal rhyme within a villanelle or as a few scattered rhymes dispersed unevenly throughout a longer poem, yet still contribute to a meaningful cluster of words. By examining usages across diverse poetic traditions, Tartakovsky identifies sporadic rhyme in sources ranging from a sixteenth-century sonnet to a nonsensical, practically unperformable piece by Gertrude Stein and a 2007 MoveOn.org ad in the New York Times.

Through meticulous attention to the soundscapes of poems, "Surprised by Sound" compellingly demonstrates that rhyme's enduring value lies in its paradoxical and unstable nature, as well as its remarkable capacity to evoke poetic, cognitive, and psychic effects. By delving into the intricate interplay between rhyme and other poetic elements, Tartakovsky offers a fresh perspective on the art of poetry, challenging readers to reevaluate their understanding of its potential and significance in the twenty-first century.

Weight: 418g
Dimension: 146 x 225 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780807174753