The Zen of Ecopoetics: Cosmological Imaginations in Modernist American Poetry

This book explores the cultural affinities and resonances of Zen in early twentieth-century American poetry, contributing to current definitions of ecopoetics. It proposes cosmopoetics as a new literary-theoretical concept to understand the relationship between poetic materiality and spirituality, addressing the gap between materialism and spirituality in modernist American poetry.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 22 December 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This groundbreaking book is a comprehensive exploration into the profound cultural affinities and resonances of Zen in early twentieth-century American poetry, shedding light on its significant contribution to current understandings of ecopoetics. Through a meticulous examination of four key poets—William Carlos Williams, Marianne Moore, Wallace Stevens, and E.E. Cummings—this work delves into the intricate tapestry of their artistic expressions, unraveling the intricate connections between Zen philosophy and the poetic imagination. By employing an interdisciplinary approach that draws upon Eastern and Western philosophies, including Zen and Taoism, posthumanism, and new materialism, the book offers a fresh and innovative perspective on ecocriticism. It expands the boundaries of the field by proposing the inclusion of the relationship between poetic materiality and spirituality within the realm of ecopoetics.

In developing the concept of 'cosmopoetics,' the book offers a novel literary-theoretical framework for understanding the poetic imagination as a contemplative means of attaining a deeper comprehension of the intricate web of human interdependence with the non-human world. By addressing the critical gap between materialism and spirituality in modernist American poetry, this book promotes a new mode of awareness and understanding about our relationship with the natural environment and other living beings.

The Zen of Ecopoetics is a valuable resource for scholars, researchers, and students engaged in ecocriticism, literary theory, poetry, and religious studies. It provides a rich tapestry of insights and perspectives that will deepen our understanding of the interplay between culture, nature, and the human spirit, and inspire us to cultivate a more harmonious and sustainable relationship with our planet.

Weight: 540g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032415710